Patient cancellations continued to be the top reason preventing dental practices from reaching full appointment schedules in May, according to a recent poll from the American Dental Association's Health Policy Institute.
The ADA group surveyed dentists in its monthly "Economic Outlook and Emerging Issues in Dentistry" poll. The poll includes responses for the week of May 16. Researchers received 1,096 responses about the top factors preventing dental practice schedules from reaching 100 percent.
Top reasons preventing dental practice appointment schedules from reaching 100 percent:
Patient cancellations: 80.7 percent
Not enough patients making appointments: 35.7
Trouble filling vacant staff positions: 37.9 percent
COVID-19 safety protocols: 13.5 percent
Other: 7 percent