Satisfaction with dentist-patient interaction at the municipal polyclinic: level and affecting factors

Abstract

The study level of patient satisfaction with interaction with doctors of various specialties in the municipal dental clinic. 596 patients who received dental care at the Severodvinsk Dental Polyclinic State Autonomous Healthcare Institution participated in the cross-sectional study. Satisfaction was studied across 10 domains using a questionnaire. The average values of the scores obtained for different specialties of the doctor were compared using a variance analysis for each of the domains. The relationship between patient satisfaction and factor characteristics - specialty and age of the doctor, gender and age of the patient or legal representative was evaluated using multivariate linear regression analysis with the calculation of regression coefficients and 95% confidence intervals (CI). At least a good level of satisfaction was found in all 10 domains for doctors of all specialties. The age of the doctor was inversely related to the domains "Communication on equal terms" and "Active listening". Respondents were statistically significantly less satisfied with interaction with dental therapists, dental surgeons and pediatric dentists in all domains compared to interaction with orthodontists, except for the domain "Prognosis". Satisfaction did not depend on the gender and age of the patients. Lower satisfaction in different domains can be explained by limited time for patient admission and/or insufficient training of dentists in terms of communication with patients. The assessment of satisfaction with the doctor's appointment is an important indicator for determining the ways of developing the education of specialists and the organization of medical care in dentistry.