Self‐reported factors for improving patient's dental care: A pilot study

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Patient‐centered approach can offer valuable information in improving dental care, but literature is scarce. This study aimed to evaluate self‐reported factors beneficial for attendance in dental care. Material and Methods Survey data were collected during the summer of 2020 comprising both structured questionnaires and an open question on factors considered beneficial for dental attendance. Voluntary patients over 15 years of age (n = 196, 98%) agreed to fill the questionnaires, and n = 112 of them (57%) also gave open commentary in an urgent dental care clinic, City of Oulu, Finland, comprising the study population. Dental fear was assessed by Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) sum scores (min 5, max 25). All utterances (n = 181) on an open question were evaluated by inductive content analysis to create sub‐ and main categories. Covid‐19 pandemic case counts in Finland were low at the time of the survey, but their effect on seeking dental care was asked. The distribution of patients was evaluated by cross‐tabulation, considering their age, gender, and dental fear status; the significance level was p 9) reported more often factors related to personnel and treatment (p = .03). Of all participants, 17% reported seeking less dental care during the pandemic. Conclusions Patients value dental personnel and treatment‐related factors, specifically those with fear.

Keywords

• dental attendance
• dental fear
• inductive content analysis
• pandemic