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The Impact of Coronavirus Information-Seeking Behavior on Dental Care Access: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire-Based Study

Author

Listed:
  • Silvia Gallegati

    (Department of Management, Polytechnic University of Marche, Piazzale Martelli 8, 60121 Ancona, Italy)

  • Luca Aquilanti

    (Department of Clinical Specialistic and Dental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Tronto 10, 60126 Ancona, Italy)

  • Valerio Temperini

    (Department of Management, Polytechnic University of Marche, Piazzale Martelli 8, 60121 Ancona, Italy)

  • Gloria Polinesi

    (Department of Economic and Social Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Piazzale Martelli 8, 60121 Ancona, Italy)

  • Giorgio Rappelli

    (Department of Clinical Specialistic and Dental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Tronto 10, 60126 Ancona, Italy
    Dentistry Clinic, National Institute of Health and Science of Aging, IRCCS INRCA, Via Tronto 10, 60126 Ancona, Italy)

Abstract

Health information-seeking behavior provides a variety of benefits, such as reducing knowledge gaps and educating individuals outside the medical office. This study aimed at evaluating if different sources used to gather information on COVID-19 could affect the willingness to undergo dental appointments. An anonymous survey was posted on social media. The 1003 respondents used several channels of communication, clearly distinguishing reliable from unreliable ones. Multiple logistic regression estimated the effect of different information channels on the probability of being strongly influenced by COVID-19 in accessing upcoming dental appointments. Newspapers were the most-used channel of information (61.2%), blogs and forums the least used (11.2%). Overall, the more an individual was informed, the higher was the risk of missing upcoming dental care appointments (OR 2.05, CI 1.45–2.90, p < 0.001). The two most reliable channels of communication were identified in journals/websites of medicine and healthcare professionals. Women proved to be more active in gathering information and relying on less secure but more personal channels, such as social media and friends and family, thus having an increased risk of being influenced by COVID-19 information regarding upcoming dental care appointments (OR 3.62, CI 0.85–15.52, p < 0.1 and OR 1.60, CI 1.00–2.58, p < 0.1, respectively). Social media should have a greater presence on the side of medical service providers to avoid distortions of information and fake news that ultimately cause fear among citizens and compromise their health. Healthcare professionals and institutions should adapt their communication channels based on the audience they want to address to optimize the education and information of the final users.

Suggested Citation

  • Silvia Gallegati & Luca Aquilanti & Valerio Temperini & Gloria Polinesi & Giorgio Rappelli, 2021. "The Impact of Coronavirus Information-Seeking Behavior on Dental Care Access: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire-Based Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-11, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:22:p:12050-:d:680867
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    8. Luca Aquilanti & Silvia Gallegati & Valerio Temperini & Luigi Ferrante & Edlira Skrami & Maurizio Procaccini & Giorgio Rappelli, 2020. "Italian Response to Coronavirus Pandemic in Dental Care Access: The DeCADE Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-12, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Juan Carlos De Haro & Eva María Rosel & Inmaculada Salcedo-Bellido & Ester Leno-Durán & Pilar Requena & Rocío Barrios-Rodríguez, 2022. "Psychological Impact of COVID-19 in the Setting of Dentistry: A Review Article," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-37, December.
    2. Masafumi Ojio & Yuto Maeda & Takahiro Tabuchi & Takeo Fujiwara, 2022. "The Association between Types of COVID-19 Information Source and the Avoidance of Child Health Checkups in Japan: Findings from the JACSIS 2021 Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-9, August.

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