Awareness of Role of Dentist-Patient Co-operation in Attainment of Ideal Dental Treatment among Dental Interns at DUHS Karachi

Abstract

Aims: The study aimed to evaluate the Awareness of role of Dentist-Patient Co-operation in attainment of ideal Dental treatment among Dental interns at DUHS Karachi, Pakistan. Background: Safe and effective treatment of all Dental diseases requires mutual understanding and sound cooperation between a Dentist and his/her Patient. Material and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Dental department of DUHS Karachi. Study included Dental interns from different designations i.e. Post-graduates, Graduates, Under-graduates and different sub-departments i.e. Orthodontics, Endodontics, Periodontics, Community Dentistry, Oral medicine, Oral surgery etc. The research tool was a paper based Questionnaire designed by running a pilot study based on 14 Questions evaluating the core aim, with an attached consent form. The sample size was about 250 Dental interns. Descriptive and Association tests were used for statistical analysis using SPSS 16.0. Results: 250 Questionnaires were filled. Gender and Qualification were the variables. Gender vice 32% were Males and 68% were Females Dental interns. Qualification vice 20% were Post-graduates, 40% were Graduates and 40% were Under-graduates. According to 68% Dental interns patients of 26-35 year age group are most cooperative during Dental treatment. 74% Dental interns chosen 2-12 year age group as least cooperative during Dental treatment.90% Dental interns agreed that Patients proper cooperation during chair-side treatment always saves valuable clinic/OPD time. About 60% Dental interns agreed that cooperative Dentist should be flexible enough to mold his/her treatment plans according to Patient’s longing/desire. 70% Dental interns agreed that with follow up appointments patient becomes more cooperative and trustworthy towards his/her Dentist. 66% Dental interns strongly agreed that patient’s phobia of dental treatment and dental instruments can drive him uncooperative during his/her treatment.55% Dental interns strongly agreed that Language barrier between Dentist and Patient can create un-cooperative environment and hence ideal treatment may become un-attainable. 75% Dental interns strongly agreed that Dentists busy schedule, engaged in routine appointments increases Dentist's anxiety level which can leads to uncooperative behavior and affect patient’s treatment.78% Dental interns agreed that if a Dentist is unable to handle patient's un-cooperative behavior or attitude, thus referring the patient to another Dentist for sake of ideal treatment can be a good option. Conclusion: The Dental interns at DUHS were found well aware of role of Dentist-Patient Co-operation in attainment of ideal Dental treatment. A positive relation is found out between Dentist-Patient’s Behavior and Treatment’s Results. A cooperative Dentist-Patient environment is found to be more time and effort saving. With the follow-up appointments the patients are found to be more comfortable and cooperative towards their Dentists. Patients of middle age group i.e. 26-35 year are found to be more cooperative in contrast to patient at extremes of ages specially 2-12 year are found to be least cooperative. Factors like Patients Dental-instrumental phobia and lingo-cultural differences are found to be among driving factors for patients uncooperative behavior. On the other hand Dentist’s hectic scheduling and tiresome work increases Dentist’s stress level and sometime trail them towards uncooperativeness. This study also well affirmed that Ethical Dentistry is of core value in Clinical Dental Practice.