Dental Care Service Satisfaction by the Characteristics of Users at a Dental Center for the Disabled in a Region

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to see the characteristics and satisfaction factors of users at a dental center for the disabled in Gwangju and present basic data that could provide high-quality healthcare service. Data were collected from 218 users, and result were obtained as follow.Methods: 218 users of Gwangju dental center for the disabled participated in this study from July 27 to October 31, 2015. Frequency analysis was performed for the general characteristics and utilization status; the mean and standard deviation were estimated for dental care service satisfaction; independent t-test and one-way ANOVA were performed for the mean differences in satisfaction by the general characteristics; and Scheffe test was carried out in case of significant differences. Results:Mentally disordered patients or users accompanying them were generally most satisfied; in particular, satisfaction with the facility environment and medical technology differed statistically significantly. Conclusion:On the basis of these results, it is necessary to make users of dental centers for the disabled more satisfied by making healthcare service at the center more accessible and by giving more support to the facility environment and medical technology for each disability type with the objective of making the center more usable.