Abstract
The dimensions of patient-centred care include not only clinical effectiveness and patient safety, but, importantly, the preferences of patients as consumers of healthcare services. A total of 249 participants were included in the study, with a balanced population proportional representation by age, gender, ethnicity and geographic region of New Zealand. An online questionnaire was used to identify participants’ decision-making process, and what factors and barriers for participants to seek dental treatment. Cross-tabulations, Spearman correlation analysis and Pearson Chi-Square analysis were used for the statistical analyses. Three most common reasons for visit were check-up (77%), clean (57%) and relief of pain 36%). A desire to treat a perceived problem was the most common encouraging factor to seek dental care. Cost was the most common barrier to seeking dental services. The majority of participants attended a private practice (84%), with convenience of location and referral from professionals the most likely to influence their choice. Participants felt the most important trait a dental practitioner could demonstrate was to discuss treatment options with them before any treatment. Dental check-up, teeth cleaning and relief of pain were the most common reasons for patients to choose dental services. Cost and ethnicity of the consumers had a significant impact on how dental services were perceived and sought. Dental practitioners may need to reorientate how they express value of oral health practice, not just in regard to communication with patients, but also with government funding agencies.
Highlights
Patient-centred care has become a universally recognised primary approach to high-quality health care amongst all health professionals
Of those study participants who reported visiting a dental practice for aesthetic concerns, 74% wanted to change the colour of their teeth, 31% wanted to change the alignment of their teeth, 41% wanted to change the shape or size of their teeth and 59% wanted to improve the appearance of missing or broken teeth
Prior research has found that major factors that deter individuals from seeking dental services were the high cost of such services, a lack of time to undertake dental care, dental phobias, dental practices not being accessible, not knowing who reliable dentists were, and expectations that the problem would resolve itself without intervention [11]
Summary
Patient-centred care has become a universally recognised primary approach to high-quality health care amongst all health professionals. The dimensions of patient-centred care include clinical effectiveness and patient safety, but, importantly, the preferences of patients as consumers of healthcare services [1]. Dental practitioners instructed and prescribed treatments with limited input from patients. Research studies recognise the importance of a patient-centred approach in the delivery of health care.
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