Abstract
BackgroundThe Heroes Clinic is a unique dental clinic housed at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine that offers military veterans dental care at no or minimal cost. The aim of this study is to collect patient feedback on their perception of the quality of care they receive at the Heroes clinic.MethodsA cross-sectional study design was used to gather patient feedback on empathy and quality of care using Service Quality Measures (SERVQUAL) and Dental Satisfaction Questionnaire (DSQ) frameworks. Mean scores were calculated to determine the average of positive or negative responses. Fisher’s exact test was conducted to test any significant differences between the patients’ perception of quality of care they receive at the Heroes clinic (outcome variable) and the SERVQUAL and DSQ independent variables.ResultsOne hundred and seventy-seven veterans responded to the survey with a response rate of 35%. Over 50% of patients were between the ages of 20–35 years and 63% were students. The mean scores demonstrated high levels of all variables. Bivariate analysis for SERVQUAL data determined that veterans agreed to conditions demonstrated by four scales of empathy and all scales of responsiveness (p < 0.05). DSQ bivariate analysis revealed that veterans agreed to conditions demonstrated by four scales of quality of care, two scales of pain management, one scale of accessibility, and also general satisfaction pertaining to the received dental care (p < 0.05).ConclusionsHeroes clinic has provided quality dental care to veterans as attested by the patients.
Highlights
The Heroes Clinic is a unique dental clinic housed at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine that offers military veterans dental care at no or minimal cost
The Heroes clinic aims to provide all the dental care to the military veterans based on their needs and values while developing a trusting relationship with student providers and clinic faculty
The objective of this study was to collect patient feedback on their perception of the quality of care they receive at the Heroes clinic
Summary
The Heroes Clinic is a unique dental clinic housed at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine that offers military veterans dental care at no or minimal cost. A workshop was held in 2014 for all faculty to orient them towards the special needs of the veteran population It was presented by the University’s disability director and four veteran patients with Hidden Disabilities, which includes various forms of emotional disabilities, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Referral networks have been built for housing resources, veteran benefits, Volunteers of America, medical providers, service animals, and more recently Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder specialty clinics. These resources are offered to all veterans, which may help to improve their dayto-day lives
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