Abstract

Objective: assess whether the children and their parents believe that the dentist’s attire is an important aspect of patient-professional relationship and, if so, which they consider to be the most confidence-inspiring attire. Methods: a cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted on 270 children aged 4 -12 years old and one of their respective parents at one private clinic and an institution of assistance collectivized in Montevideo, Uruguay. The study included a questionnaire and photographs of pediatric dentists in different attire: white coat (picture 1 and 6), green scrub for man and violet scrub for women (picture 2 and 7), children's design on the scrubs (picture 3 and 8), casual attire (picture 4 and 9) and formal attire (picture 5 and 10). Children and parents separately asked to rate their preferences. Results: 29% of children expressed a preference for the image 2, followed by 25% by the image 3. For both mothers and fathers, the image was chosen n°3 with 47% and 10% respectively. With regard to the views of parents on whether the dentist dress influences in the bond between the professional and the child , the 83% said it has influence, while 16% said it doesn´t matter. Only 1% said do not care. Conclusions: the attire more chosen by children was the violet scrub followed by the scrub with children's design, and the less preference was the casual attire. For fathers and mothers the attire more chosen was the scrub with children's design,  Both father and mother felt that clothing affects the bold between the pediatric dentist and his daughter/son; and behavior of the child  in the dentist clinic.

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