Why DentalGO? | Reaching people before a dental visit

01 / THE GAP BEFORE A VISIT

Dental care advances. Yet some people remain beyond its reach.

Knowledge and techniques in dentistry and oral health continue to advance. Yet some people cannot visit a dentist, do not feel they need to, or have not found the information or support they need.

People going about their daily lives face a dental clinic across a bridge with a missing section, illustrating the challenge of making contact before a dental visit. — An illustration of the challenge of making contact before a dental visit.

Dental clinics can offer professional care and support to the people who attend. But how can we make contact with people who have not come through the door?

DentalGO began with this question about the stage before a dental visit.

02 / DIFFERENT STARTING POINTS

There is more than one reason for not visiting a dentist.

Experiences of treatment, psychological and behavioural factors, and the circumstances of daily life can all shape a person's relationship with dental care. These factors may overlap. Not everyone who has not attended has dental anxiety.

01

Experiences of treatment

Past experiences of pain or fear during treatment. Uncertainty about what will happen or what support will be available.

02

Feelings and readiness to act

Fear or embarrassment. Not feeling a dental visit is necessary because nothing seems wrong. People also begin to consider seeking care at different stages.

03

Everyday and social circumstances

Work and other commitments, time, costs and access to care. Even when someone wants to attend, the circumstances of daily life can make it difficult.

Not attending cannot be explained by a person's motivation or knowledge alone. Understanding each person's circumstances is a starting point for thinking about support.

03 / BEYOND A CALL TO ACTION

'You should visit a dentist' does not reach everyone.

Explaining why dental care matters is important. Even so, accurate information and encouragement alone may not help everyone take the next step.

For someone feeling afraid or embarrassed, a chance to consider care without pressure. For someone who does not feel a need to attend, a way to become curious about their oral health. For someone unsure what to trust, knowledge that supports their decisions. Psychology and behavioural science offer perspectives for considering support that fits a person's circumstances and readiness to act.

The challenge lies in how professional knowledge and support reach people, rather than in the expertise of dental professionals itself. The Founder's academic research and DentalGO's development and testing are distinct: research findings do not in themselves establish the effectiveness of the products.

Explore Research & Testing ↗

04 / WHY IT BEGAN

Something we could offer with the words, 'Try this.'

An illustration of DentalGO's colourful world and tooth character being offered from an expert's hands to the hands of someone who might use it.

People who are too afraid to visit a dentist.
People who do not think they need a dental visit.
People who want to care for their teeth but do not know what to trust.

As a dentist and researcher, I wanted something I could offer to people like them, with the words, 'Try this.'

I wanted knowledge and methods grounded in science to become something anyone could use at their own pace, rather than remain within the professional world.

And I wanted the experience to begin with enjoyment and curiosity, rather than obligation or endurance.

DentalGO grew from that wish.