73% of Patients Have Lied to Their Dentist, Survey Reveals

Lying to their dentist is a common practice for the majority of patients, despite the substantial share of them (41%) who feel embarrassed about it, according to a DentaVox survey. In most cases, patients are dishonest about neglecting oral hygiene habits or indulging in unhealthy food and drinks.

Twenty-seven percent of people have told their dentist they brush twice a day, when, in fact, it is not true. In addition, 20% of respondents have lied about brushing correctly. Similarly, 20% of respondents have been dishonest about flossing. Another 20% of survey participants confess to having cheated about the frequent consumption of carbonated drinks.

The majority of respondents (67%) have not always told the truth to their dentist when it comes to oral hygiene habits or prevention. Similarly, 58% of participants have lied about matters related to their visits at the dentist, such as when was their last checkup, the urgency of their problem, or why they canceled an appointment.

The results show that feeling ashamed of poor oral hygiene is the most common reason to lie (27%). It is followed by dental fear as the second most popular explanation for not telling the truth (17%).