PMU47 Patient Satisfaction and Willingness to Pay for Primary Dental Care Services in the Prefercture of Drama, Greece

Abstract

Patients have an increasingly active role in assessing dental care provided at the primary and secondary care system and participate in decision making process. The aim of this study is to evaluate the satisfaction of users of public dental services, the factors that affect them, and their willingness to pay for various dental operations in the Prefecture of Drama. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from January 1st to end of February 2020 (two month period), in the 90% of the public dental care services of the prefecture of Drama, where primary dental care is provided. A structured questionnaire was used comprising of 51 questions, (5-point Likert scale), covering demographic, socio-economic, dental and nursing satisfaction, administrative services, facilities, accessibility, overall satisfaction and willingness to pay. The 40% of the sample visited dental services for fillings, and only 13% visited for preventive screening. Patient satisfaction was particularly high (92%). The majority of the sample, 97% would visit again public dental services. A high proportion 51% would prefer to visit the private dental sector. Regarding the willingness to pay, the 75% of the population would be willing to pay a fee for dental prostheses with an average price of 124.3 ± 75.3 €, a 72% would pay 484.7 ± 367.5 € for orthodontic work and the 73% would pay on average 62.2 ± 65.7 € for endodontic work. The results of the multivariate analysis showed that income is not a factor influencing the willingness to pay, while people with a higher educational level would pay higher amount of money. Patient satisfaction in public primary dental care services in prefecture of Drama is very high. Impressions of dental care are getting the highest rate and facilities are getting the lower rate of satisfaction.