Assessment of Patients’ Anxiety Levels and Their Decision-Making When Choosing Dental Care

Abstract

Abstract Context: A comprehensive understanding of the patient’s decision-making process helps a dentist to successfully present a range of treatment possibilities. Aim: The purpose of this study was to examine how patients choose dental services and clinics and how they make decisions about those visits. Materials and Method: From April 2023 and September 2023, 584 participants who were seen in the Dental Outpatient Department participated in a cross-sectional survey. Willing participants were given a questionnaire with 15 questions addressing different facets of patient perception. Informed consent was obtained from the parents. Both English and local Tamil languages were used to structure the questions, which centered on patient viewpoints, expectations, decision-making, lowering anxiety, and recommendations for new dental procedures. Result: Important behavioral insights were collected from the study. The majority of participants stated that they will ask their opinion on dental care. They prefer to visit dental clinics when problems arise. They knew about dental clinics through the Internet and per group preference. The majority of participants reported that dental clinic preference is based on proximity and popularity. They prefer specialist and multispecialty dentistry. The majority of participants prefer brand and longevity for the purchase of dental procedures. Social media is a major factor in dental clinical search. The majority of participants preferred an explanation of procedure before and anxiety reduction if a complaint is addressed. The majority of participants prefer the quality of treatment and truthfulness of dentist recommendations. Conclusion: Dental professionals must comprehend the decision-making processes of their patients. Establishing patient satisfaction and trust requires open communication, high-quality care, and honesty. To properly meet patients’ expectations, dentists should be honest in addressing their worries and offering assurances on the course of treatment.