Satisfaction with urgent oral care among adult Tanzanians

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine patient satisfaction with urgent oral care and to evaluate the association between patient satisfaction and different aspects of such care. A 5-point Likert scale questionnaire on patient satisfaction (score 1 = very dissatisfied; score 5 = very satisfied) was administered to 741 adults. Chi-squared test and logistic regression analysis were used to identify associations between dependent and independent variables. The mean patient satisfaction score was 3.79 (SEM = 0.02). Cleanliness of the clinic; hospitality of the dentist; and effectiveness of local anaesthesia; had the highest mean satisfaction scores of 4.0 to 4.15. Cost of treatment and explanation of treatment had the lowest mean scores (2.79 and 3.17 respectively). Sixty-eight percent of respondents were satisfied with urgent oral care. Rural residents were more satisfied with cost of treatment than urban residents (P < 0.0001). Urban residents were more satisfied with explanation of treatment than rural residents (P < 0.0001). Women were more satisfied with many aspects of oral care than men (P < 0.05). It is concluded that adult Tanzanians have moderate levels of satisfaction with urgent oral care. Cost of treatment and explanation of treatment are the two aspects of urgent oral care that are least satisfactory for patients.