Non-attendance at dental appointments: a brief review of causes and strategies for prevention
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20453/reh.v34i1.5331Keywords:
non-attendance, dental care, inequityAbstract
Non-attendance at dental appointments is a relevant problem in health care due to the negative consequences it entails. This article aims to review the causes of nonattendance and the strategies implemented for its prevention at the international level. Socioeconomic, cultural, geographic, and demographic factors are identified as the main causes of absenteeism. An inversely proportional relationship has been observed between socioeconomic status and absenteeism, with those patients with greater resources tending to have lower absenteeism. Socioeconomic and cultural factors, together with oral health education, influence the concern and frequency of dental checkups. Various solutions have been proposed, such as telephone or SMS reminders, although their effectiveness may vary due to patient familiarity and access to technology. There is a need to address this problem comprehensively and consider different approaches to reduce missed dental appointments.
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