KAP Assessment of Subscription-Based Models for Preventive Care in Dentistry: A Survey of Membership Plans and Their Impact on Regular Visits and Insurance Reliance on Dentists

Background: Subscription-based models are increasingly being explored as a potential solution to enhance patient access to preventive dental care, reduce reliance on traditional insurance and offer a more predictable financial framework for both patients and dental practices. These models aim to foster regular dental visits, encourage better oral health and reduce overall treatment costs by emphasizing preventive care. This study investigates the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of dental professionals concerning subscription-based membership plans and their potential impact on patient care. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 230 participants, including dental students, private practitioners and academic faculty. The survey aimed to evaluate the participants' knowledge of subscription models, their attitudes toward these models and their experiences with recommending or implementing these plans in their practices. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize and analyze the data and Chi-square tests were applied to explore potential correlations between professional groups and their KAP. Results: The results reveal that 60% of participants were familiar with subscription-based models for preventive dental care. Among those, 72% recognized the potential benefits of these models in reducing reliance on traditional insurance and improving access to care. In terms of practices, 45% of participants had recommended subscription plans to patients and 62% expressed an interest in incorporating these plans into their future practices. Interestingly, a significant proportion (38%) rated themselves as “moderately proficient” in recommending these plans. Additionally, the study found that participants who were more familiar with subscription models were significantly more likely to recommend them (p<0.05). Numerical data analysis showed that 60% of participants had some level of familiarity with subscription models, with 72% acknowledging the models' benefits. Despite the favorable attitude, only 45% had actively recommended these plans. The correlation between familiarity with the subscription model and the likelihood of recommending it was statistically significant (p<0.05). Furthermore, 62% of the respondents showed interest in incorporating such models into their practices in the future. Conclusion: The study highlights that while dental professionals generally recognize the advantages of subscription-based models in improving preventive care, there are challenges that hinder their wider adoption. These challenges include limited familiarity and self-reported moderate proficiency in implementing or recommending these models. The findings indicate that further education, training and exposure to subscription-based care models are essential to overcome barriers and increase their successful integration into routine dental practice. Addressing these gaps will not only promote better oral health but also enable dental practices to offer more sustainable and patient-friendly options for preventive care.One of the study's limitations is the reliance on self-reported data, which may be subject to response bias. Additionally, the sample size of 230 participants, while varied, may not fully represent the broader dental community. Future studies could include a larger sample across more regions to generalize the findings.