Patient’s satisfaction with orthodontic treatment at King Khalid University, College of Dentistry, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction: Patient satisfaction is important for ensuring patient’s adherence in orthodontic treatment. As teaching institutions, dental college clinics must constantly strive to find a balance between satisfying the needs of the patients and ensuring proper training of the students. The objective of the present study was to assess dental patient’s satisfaction with orthodontic treatment and related services at King Khalid University, College of Dentistry (KKU COD), Saudi Arabia.Materials and methods: A 19 item closed end questionnaire was developed and pretested to assess patient’s satisfaction with orthodontic care. The questionnaire items were designed under three domains: 1) Reception and work environment, 2) doctor-patient relationship, and 3) treatment expectations and satisfaction. The study sample consisted of all patients consulting the orthodontic clinics during the time frame of the survey and those who were willing to participate.Results: A total of 72 patients completed the survey within the time framework. The mean age of the patients was 21.2±8.06 of which males were 69.5% and Females 30.5%. The highest subscale score was found to be with patient’s treatment expectations and satisfaction (92.6%) followed by reception and work environment (89.3%) and dentist-patient relationship (82.7%). The overall patient’s satisfaction for orthodontic services among the patients was found to be 87.1%.Conclusion: There was a high dental patient’s satisfaction with orthodontic services at COD KKU, Saudi Arabia as a teaching institution. The dentist-relationship was found to be key factor in determining dental patient’s satisfaction.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.14(2) 2015 p.146-150