Dental patients reported that they highly value a clean, safe environment and appreciate discussions about proper infection control methods, according to survey results recently published by the Dental Assisting National Board. Sharing how the office maintains patient safety may help dental teams strengthen their relationships with patients, the authors wrote. “Dental patients care about cleanliness and safety at the dental office -- and that’s a great opportunity for dental practices to communicate to patients and strengthen relationships,” according to a news release published August 25. Encouragingly, 76% of adults said they feel comfortable visiting the dentist, and 94% expressed confidence that their dental office follows proper cleaning protocols. About 1 in 4 patients reported that their dentist had explained how the treatment area is kept clean and safe.