Tough Economy Takes its Toll on Teeth

Topline Findings from a Survey of More than 250 Dentists

30,000+ Dental Professionals Converge in Chicago February 25-27

CHICAGO, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the Chicago Dental Society:

Who: The Chicago Dental Society surveyed its members about current trends, dental care tips, and more. More than 250 of the society's member dentists responded to the fall 2009 survey.

As we countdown to CDS's annual Midwinter Meeting, one of the largest displays of dental products in North America, here are some of the topline findings from the survey.

Dental downturn continues. The effects of the recession on the local dental industry have worsened since last year. More than 90 percent of dentists surveyed said their clients are putting off cosmetic procedures, up from 60 percent last year. More than 75 percent of dentists say their patients are putting off needed dental work -- in 2008 nearly 55 dentists noted the same. And visits for preventative dental care are also on the decline according to more than half of dentists, up from more than 40 percent of dentists reporting the same last year.

Stressed out? Check your mouth. Nearly 75 percent of dentists surveyed said their patients are reporting increased stress in their lives. And 65 percent of dentists are seeing an increase in jaw clenching and teeth grinding amongst their patients, signs that stress may be taking its toll on the mouth.

Word of mouth advertising is tried and true. More than 80 percent of dentists say that word of mouth is still the most popular way new patients learn about their practice.

Dentist reviews on Yelp? While websites Yelp and Angie's List report dentistry as their most searched health category, 55 percent of dentists surveyed don't believe review websites impact their practices. 12 percent of dentists think such online review sites have helped their practices. Nearly 40 percent of dentists say their practices have been reviewed online.

'Refresh' your mouth with corn dog mints or cupcake floss…really. Interesting food flavors continue to make their way into dental products. The most intriguing for dentists? Mango toothpaste according to almost 40 percent surveyed. More than a quarter of dentists wouldn't mind trying chocolate toothpaste.  Other wacky flavors dentists would sample: cupcake or coffee dental floss and corn dog mints.

Driving dentists want you to remember their ride. One quarter of dentists surveyed admit to having vanity license plates, and 10 percent of those say their plates are dentistry-related.

To brush or floss first? That is the question, but there is no definitive answer. Dentists were split right down the middle on how you should start your oral health regimen.

Julia Roberts still has a winning smile. For the second year in a row, a majority of dentists report that the actress leads the pack for most requested celebrity smile amongst women. Tom Cruise and Tiger Woods both get the men's top pick.

Why: Data was collected for the Chicago Dental Society's 145th annual Midwinter Meeting, which begins at McCormick Place in Chicago on February 25, 2010.

For more information about the survey and dental health tip lists please contact Ambar Mentor at 312-408-2580 ext. 25.

SOURCE Chicago Dental Society