Pearl Survey Offers Insights into Patient Trust, Perception of Technology

Dental AI solutions company, Pearl has announced the results of its Patient Trust and Technology survey, which polled 597 US dental patients and evaluated their trust in dental providers and their perceptions of how technology is being used in the field.

According to key findings, the patients surveyed overwhelmingly support the use of advanced technologies and are more likely to trust their dentist’s diagnosis if they are using artificial intelligence (AI) to assist in evaluating x-rays. The survey revealed that patients’ trust in their provider is a key factor in determining whether they will move on with treatment, which can have significant financial implications for providers, according to a press release from Pearl.

Fifty-Five percent of respondents report that trust in their diagnosis is the most important factor affecting their willingness to accept treatment, more than urgency (28%), and treatment cost (11%). The survey also found that providers looking to build patient loyalty and establish trust should focus on 2 main factors—ensuring clear communication and utilizing the latest technology. About 65% of respondents do not have a complete understanding of what their dentist is pointing out in their x-rays, the survey found.

Additionally, 61% of patients said they have taken alternative actions, including seeking a second opinion—which 25% of patients said they’ve done—or switching dentists, which 32% say they’ve done. The survey states that just 41% of respondents generally have complete trust in their dentist’s diagnosis.

The survey also found that 71% of those surveyed said they would be more likely to trust their dentist’s diagnosis if the dentist were using AI software to assist in evaluating x-rays.

The full results of the survey are available for download at pearl.ai.