[Survey of 500 Men and Women] The Difference Between Dentists People Want to Visit and Those They Avoid is Obvious! Patients Share Their True Feelings on What Determines Their Choice and Their Concerns.

For the same dental clinic, some people "want to go" while others "hesitate."
What causes this difference?
Accessibility, consultation hours, staff attitude, clinic facilities...
The survey clearly revealed patients' true feelings, from the deciding factors for frequent visits to the reasons for hesitation. Differences in priorities between men and women also became apparent, shedding light on the surprising reality of choosing a dental clinic.

*When quoting the content of this press release, please adhere to the following guidelines:

・State that the source is "A survey conducted by smileline Inc. and Komagome Station Front Dental Clinic and Orthodontics."

・Include a link to Komagome Station Front Dental Clinic and Orthodontics (https://www.komagome-shika.com).

Survey Overview: "Questionnaire Regarding Dental Clinic Selection"

Survey Period: March 27, 2026 - March 28, 2026

Survey Organization: smileline Inc. (In-house survey)

Target Audience: Men and women nationwide

Valid Responses: 500 samples

Survey Method: Internet survey

Question 1: When choosing a dental clinic, how do you primarily search for one?

Question 2: On a dental clinic's website, what part do you pay the most attention to when searching for a clinic?

Question 3: On a dental clinic's website, what statement provides you with the most sense of security?

Question 4: Regarding dental clinic facilities, what is one thing you would be happy to have?

Question 5: What is the most convenient time for you to visit a dental clinic regularly?

Question 6: What is the most applicable reason when deciding on a regular dental clinic?

Question 7: What is the primary reason you "hesitate" to go to a particular dental clinic?

*In principle, figures are rounded to the second decimal place, so the total may not equal 100%.

■ 'Referrals' and 'Searches' are the Two Main Methods for Finding a Dental Clinic

First, we asked how people primarily search for a dental clinic.

The survey results on methods used to find dental clinics showed that "referrals from family or friends" (37.2%) was the most common, followed by "Google searches (e.g., 'dentist [city name]')" (34.6%).

Additionally, while "signage, outdoor advertising, local magazines" (9.8%), "review sites" (7.0%), and "Google Maps" (6.4%) were used by a certain number of people, the use of "SNS" (1.2%) remained limited.

We actually asked people what they used to search.

These results indicate that while online searches are increasingly utilized for selecting dental clinics, trusted referrals still play a crucial role.

■ Men Prioritize 'Convenience' and 'Atmosphere,' Women Prioritize 'Convenience' and 'Reviews'

Next, we asked about the most important aspects on a dental clinic's website when searching for a clinic.

The survey results on the most important points when searching for a clinic on a dental clinic's website, broken down by gender, showed that "convenience (location, consultation hours, etc.)" was the most frequent answer for both men and women (143 men / 59 women, total 40.4%).

Overall, while convenience of access is the most important factor for both genders, men tend to place a higher emphasis on convenience, while women are more likely to consider reliability factors such as reviews and patient testimonials, indicating they place equal importance on the experiences and reputations of others.

■ 'Patient Voices/Reviews' are Most Common at 30.0%, What Information on Websites Provides a Sense of Security?

Next, we asked what statement on a dental clinic's website provides the most sense of security.

The survey on what information on a dental clinic's website provides patients with the most sense of security found that "patient voices/reviews" (30%) ranked first. Knowing about actual patient experiences and opinions appears to be an important factor in choosing a clinic.

The next most common answers were "explanation of what the clinic values in its treatment" (21.2%) and "clear pricing information" (16.2%), revealing that patients seek concrete information about the clinic's treatment philosophy, principles, and cost transparency. For patients visiting for the first time, having this information beforehand can lead to a greater sense of security.

On the other hand, information such as "doctor's background" (5.4%), "photos of the doctor and staff" (4.6%), and "case studies (before/after photos)" (2.8%) were relatively less emphasized. This indicates that patients tend to prioritize actual experiences, clear explanations, and transparent information over formal details.

Men tend to prioritize "rationality and clarity of decision-making factors."
Specifically, "clear pricing information" (16.2%) was higher than for women, indicating a preference for easily understandable cost information. "Patient voices/reviews" (29.0%) and "clinic's philosophy" (20.3%) are also important, but the overall characteristic is a strong desire to "choose with confidence."

Women tend to prioritize "sense of security, empathy, and overall reliability."
"Patient voices/reviews" (32.1%) and "explanation of what the clinic values in its treatment" (23.0%) were higher than for men, indicating a preference for psychological reassurance such as "how others felt" and "what philosophy guides their practice."

This survey reveals that dental clinic websites need to go beyond simply listing information and provide concrete content that conveys "whether it's a clinic one can visit with peace of mind" from a patient's perspective.

■ 'Parking Available (34.6%)' is Top, a Comfortable Visiting Environment is Prioritized

Next, we asked about desired facilities at a dental clinic.

The survey on desired facilities at dental clinics found that "availability of parking/bicycle parking" (34.6%) received the most responses. This indicates that convenience and accessibility during visits are important factors for patients.

Following that, "Free Wi-Fi/charging stations" (19.8%) and "private treatment rooms (consideration for privacy)" (18.8%) were ranked high, revealing that comfort during waiting times and consideration for privacy are also desired. "TVs, magazines, books" (15.2%) and "water servers" (7.6%) also had a certain demand, showing that patients desire an environment where they can spend their waiting time comfortably. On the other hand, the need for "kids' spaces/stroller accessibility" (1.2%) was low.

Men tend to prioritize "convenience and functionality."
Specifically, "availability of parking/bicycle parking" (38.2%) was exceptionally high, indicating a strong emphasis on ease of access.

Women tend to prioritize "comfort, security, and consideration."
"Private treatment rooms (consideration for privacy)" (23.6%) was higher than for men, indicating a high demand for an environment where they can receive treatment with peace of mind without worrying about being observed.

Additionally, "Free Wi-Fi/charging stations" (22.4%) was also higher than for men, suggesting a preference for comfort during waiting times in addition to convenience.

On the other hand, while "parking/bicycle parking" (27.3%) was also high, it was not as high as for men, suggesting that decisions are made based on the overall clinic environment, not just simple accessibility.

■ Weekday Mornings, Evenings, and Saturdays are Peak Times for Convenience; Consultation Hours Tailored to Patient Lifestyles are Key

Next, we asked about the most convenient time for regular dental clinic visits.

The survey on convenient times for regular dental clinic visits revealed a need for appointments that align with patients' daily rhythms.

The most frequent response was "weekdays 9 AM - 12 PM" (27.4%), indicating that many patients prefer to visit in the morning. "Weekdays 5 PM - 8 PM" (20.6%) and "Saturdays" (19.4%) also accounted for a high percentage, suggesting the need for flexibility to visit after work or on weekends.

Conversely, "weekdays 12 PM - 3 PM" (10.4%) and "Sundays/holidays" (6.6%) were less common times for visits, indicating that visits during lunch breaks or long holidays are not as preferred.

Looking at the breakdown by gender, men find it relatively convenient to visit on "weekday mornings (9 AM - 12 PM)," "weekday evenings (5 PM - 8 PM)," and "Saturdays," while women overwhelmingly find "weekday mornings (9 AM - 12 PM)" most convenient.

These results suggest that patients choose their appointment times based on their own lifestyles. From a patient's perspective, weekdays during lunch (12 PM - 3 PM) and afternoon (3 PM - 5 PM), as well as Sundays and holidays, are less convenient, so appointments during these times might be easier to secure.

For dental clinics, offering services during diverse hours such as weekday mornings (9 AM - 12 PM), weekday evenings (5 PM - 8 PM), and Saturdays can improve patient convenience and encourage continued visits.

■ Patients Prioritize 'Convenience,' Choosing Clinics Based on Daily Routines

Next, we asked for the most applicable reason when deciding on a regular dental clinic.

The most emphasized reason for choosing a regular dental clinic was "proximity to home" (54.4%). Convenient location is a crucial factor for integrating dental visits into daily life without hassle.

Additionally, "doctor's skill" (24.4%) also accounted for a high percentage, indicating that patients not only seek proximity but also want to receive treatment from a trusted doctor. Other factors like "convenience during commute" (6.8%), "ease of booking appointments" (7.8%), and "clinic's comfortable atmosphere" (5.2%) were less common, suggesting that visits aligned with daily routines are the primary consideration.

While a significant number of men choose based on "proximity to home," women also place importance on "doctor's skill." This suggests that having a doctor they can trust, in addition to a convenient location, is an essential condition for dental clinics.

These results indicate that patients tend to choose clinics based on their lifestyle and daily routines. It is suggested that clinics can attract patients by ensuring convenient locations and accessibility, while also clearly communicating the doctor's skills and treatment philosophy.

■ Reasons for Hesitation Center Around "Burden on Daily Life"

Next, we asked for the primary reason for "hesitating" to visit a particular dental clinic.

The most common reason for hesitating to visit a dental clinic was "poor attitude of the doctor or staff" (20.2%), indicating that "distrust in people" is a key point.

Following that, "difficulty in booking appointments" (19.2%), "long waiting times" (15.6%), and "inconvenient access (location/time)" (13.0%) were cited as reasons related to "visiting stress and low convenience."

Furthermore, "unclear pricing" (10.8%) and "insufficient explanations" (7.8%) also represented a certain degree of "information opacity," suggesting that patients feel strong anxiety about "not understanding" things.

Men tend to prioritize "efficiency and convenience of visiting."
Specifically, "difficulty in booking appointments" (19.1%), "long waiting times" (17.6%), and "inconvenient access" (14.0%) represent significant barriers to visiting due to "stress related to time and access."

Additionally, "unclear pricing" (11.0%) was also cited by a certain number of respondents, characterized by a rational decision-making criterion of wanting to "visit without waste and with understanding." Overall, there is a strong tendency to prioritize "functional and efficient aspects."

Women show a more pronounced tendency to prioritize "sense of security and reliability."
Specifically, "poor attitude of the doctor or staff" (24.9%) was the highest, significantly exceeding that of men, indicating that "impression of people" strongly influences the decision to visit.

While "difficulty in booking appointments" (19.4%) is also high, the characteristic is a prioritization of "quality of service" over "waiting time" compared to men. Including "insufficient explanation" (7.9%) and "anxiety about pain" (7.9%), "lack of psychological reassurance" is a factor that leads to hesitation in visiting.

■ Summary
This survey revealed that "convenience" and "reliability" are the most important factors when choosing a dental clinic.
While "referrals" and "searches" are the main methods for finding a clinic, reviews, clinic policies, and clear pricing are emphasized in the final decision-making process to ensure a comfortable visit.

When broken down by gender, men tend to prioritize efficiency and convenience such as "location, booking, and waiting times," while women tend to place more importance on reassurance and reliability such as "reviews, staff attitude, and cleanliness."

Furthermore, regarding facilities and consultation hours, a reduction in visiting stress and comfort are desired. Therefore, the key to choosing a clinic lies in balancing "alignment with daily routines" and "trustworthy care."

In other words, dental clinics are expected to create an environment that balances
"convenience (accessibility)" and "a reliable environment (peace of mind)."

＜Regarding Use in Articles, etc.＞

・ State that the source is "A survey conducted by smileline Inc. and Komagome Station Front Dental Clinic and Orthodontics."

・ Include a link to Komagome Station Front Dental Clinic and Orthodontics (https://www.komagome-shika.com).

【About Komagome Station Front Dental Clinic and Orthodontics】

Address: 1-42-4 Komagome, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 23 Kikuchi Building 1F/2F

Phone Number: 03-6902-9259

【About smileline Inc.】

Head Office: Shinbashi Place 7F, 1-12-9 Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032

URL: https://smile-line-r.com

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