Experiences of dental care: what do patients value?

Abstract

BackgroundDentistry in Australia combines business and health care service, that is, the majority of patients pay money for tangible dental procedures such as fluoride applications, dental radiographs, dental fillings, crowns, and dentures among others. There is evidence that patients question dentists’ behaviours and attitudes during a dental visit when those highly technical procedures are performed. However, little is known about how patients’ experience dental care as a whole. This paper illustrates the findings from a qualitative study recently undertaken in general dental practice in Australia. It focuses on patients’ experiences of dental care, particularly on the relationship between patients and dentists during the provision of preventive care and advice in general dental practices.MethodsSeventeen patients were interviewed. Data analysis consisted of transcript coding, detailed memo writing, and data interpretation.ResultsPatients described their experiences when visiting dental practices with and without a structured preventive approach in place, together with the historical, biological, financial, psychosocial and habitual dimensions of their experience. Potential barriers that could hinder preventive activities as well as facilitators for prevention were also described. The offer of preventive dental care and advice was an amazing revelation for this group of patients as they realized that dentists could practice dentistry without having to “drill and fill” their teeth. All patients, regardless of the practice they came from or their level of clinical risk of developing dental caries, valued having a caring dentist who respected them and listened to their concerns without “blaming” them for their oral health status. These patients complied with and supported the preventive care options because they were being “treated as a person not as a patient” by their dentists. Patients valued dentists who made them aware of existing preventive options, educated them about how to maintain a healthy mouth and teeth, and supported and reassured them frequently during visits.ConclusionsPatients valued having a supportive and caring dentist and a dedicated dental team. The experience of having a dedicated, supportive and caring dentist helped patients to take control of their own oral health. These dentists and dental teams produced profound changes in not just the oral health care routines of patients, but in the way patients thought about their own oral health and the role of dental professionals.

Patient assessment of the quality of dental care services in a Nigerian hospital

“…To improve patients' perception of dental care services, the Nigerian government needs to invest more funds in upgrading the infrastructure, equipment and instruments used to deliver dental care. According to Sbaraini et al [31] , outpatient dental care services differs from other outpatient health care services because its focused on provision of tangible treatments such as the procedures performed in the mouth of patients at the dental clinic, need for follow-up visits for other physical interventions. This is in contrast to a visit to a doctor where the patient's focus might be receiving health advice, routine exams and/or drug prescriptions [31] .…”

Soft Skills of Dental Students’ Competence: What is Important for Patients and How do Students Fare?

“…21,22 It positively affects daily interaction between dentist and patient, such as in the improvement of patient's health, the establishment of doctor-patient relationship, and increase in patients' satisfaction. 5,23 In contrast, a lack of communication may…”

“…It is not surprising that investigations on factors affecting patient satisfaction found that when it comes to dentist characteristics, patients tend to rank interpersonal relationship as of utmost importance. 4,5 This emphasizes the importance of soft skills among dental clinicians. Students who have the ability to acquire and subsequently master such skills can gain further understanding of patients' needs, engage in tasks that will fulfill patients' expectations, and enable them to gain more control in their academic development and growth.…”

Early Childhood Caries: A Literature Review

“…Ailesel faktörler arasında; ebeveynlerin inanç sistemleri ve tutumları, çocuğun mizacı (örneğin; diş fırçalamaya direnç göstermesi), ebeveyn okur yazarlığının az olması ve mevcut eği-tim materyallerini eksik anlaması, optimal ağız sağlığı ve koruyucu yöntemler hakkında ebeveynlerin yetersiz bilgisi, ağız bakımını öncelikli hâle getirmeyi zorlaştıran maddi zorluklar, dental anksiyete ve korkular, düşük maliyetli dental bakıma ulaşım zorluğu diğer sorumluluklarla kıyas-landığında, evdeki ağız bakım aktivitelerinin zaman alıcı ve düşük öncelikli kabul edilmesi yer almaktadır. [91][92][93][94] Çevresel faktörler ise sağlık sigortasının olmayışı, ebeveynin çalışma saatleri ya da diğer sorumluluklarıyla çakışmayacak diş randevusu zamanı ayarlayamama/uygun olmayan klinik çalışma saatleri, ebeveynlerin çocukların okulda devamsızlık yapmasını istememesi, dental hizmetin olduğu bölgelere ulaşım araçlarının eksikliği ve coğrafi problemler, sağlık hizmetlerinin hastaları yönlendirme konusunda karmaşık olması ve sosyo-ekonomik ve kültürel ayrımcılık şeklinde sıralanabilmektedir. 95 Diş çürükleri açısından yüksek risk grubunda olan pek çok aile, dental bakıma ulaşma konusu kadar, tedavi planına ya da evde bakım önerilerine itaat etme konusunda da zorluklar yaşamaktadır.…”