Does how a dentist dresses actually affect whether patients accept treatment?
Yes, and it is not close. Picture two dentists. One looks sloppy, the other is in a sharp suit and tie and clearly looks the pro. Almost everyone picks the second one without thinking about it. That is liking, trust, and reflexive decision making happening before you say a word. You would not watch a ballet dancer perform the Nutcracker in surfer trunks and flip flops, so do not show up to sell a forty thousand dollar case looking like you rolled out of bed. The data on attractiveness and trust is roughly a decade old at this point and it is solid. People decide fast and they decide partly on appearance. So dress like the expert you are asking them to pay for. Do not shoot yourself in the foot when looking the part costs you almost nothing.
If the answers you are finding here resonate with you, my team and I work with a small group of clients each year. The next step is a complimentary Discovery Consultation and Practice Review with Dr. McAnally.