A SURVEY OF PATIENTS’ OPINION FOR BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL FACTORS AFFECTING PRIVATE DENTAL PRACTICES IN RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA

Abstract

Objective: To assess ihe criteria identified as important by the patients attending private dental clinics inRiyadh, Saudi Arabia. Design: A cross sectional survey. Patients and Method: Information was collected on a especially designed questionnaire from 575 patientso f 30 private dental clinics, 6 each from 5 regions o f Riyadh City. The questionnaire was divided into twoparts. The first part contained demographic information about the patient and the second part listed a set o f16 criteria about the opinion o f the patients for a good dental practice in private clinics. Crohnbech's alpha,chi-square, two-sample V and factor analysis were utilized for data analysis. Results: The internal consistency o f the respondents, using Crohnbech's alpha method, was 87.2%. 'caringdentist' showed (he highest percentage (97.2%) followed by 'friendly s ta f f (95.1%) among the 16 criteria.’Acccssiblc location o f the clinic’ showed the least percentage (80.3%), while, 'pleasant decor and comfortablesurroundings' (81.4%) took the second lowest place in the list. Factor analysis created only two groups o fcriteria (factors). The first group covered the factors, which are related to money, communication, administrationand high values o f the treatment, while the second group identified those factors, which are related topersonality behavior o f dentist and staff, professional competence and quality. Conclusion: In general, the patients were more interested to see better communication and behavior o fdentists and staff in private practices as compared to public clinics.

Keywords

• eruption time
• permanent teeth.
• saudi arabia
• female children