This is the summary of the findings of the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network’s study of satisfaction of patients who received a restorative treatment.
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Patient satisfaction is important due to its:
- Impact on the likelihood of a patient choosing a dentist, making, and keeping appointments.
- Impact on the patients’ oral healthcare and on maintaining regular dental care.
Study Purpose
- Determine patient satisfaction with components of a restoration visit.
- Identify factors associated with greater patient satisfaction.
- Examine whether dentists are aware of their patient’s satisfaction.
Study Findings
- The highest levels of satisfaction were seen for the friendliness of the dentist and how well the dentist limited the patient’s pain.
- Even for the questions about cost and the time spent in the waiting room, patients were very satisfied.
- The 2 items with the lowest rating of satisfaction related to communication between patients and dentist having a choice between restorative materials and enough information about the procedure.
- Patients were more satisfied when restorations were repaired rather than replaced and when the treating dentist was the one who placed the original restoration.
- Patients were also more satisfied with older dentists: greater proficiency in patient management, communication, and greater technical skills and speed from years of clinical experience.
- Lower rating of patient satisfaction were found when the restoration material was amalgam and the tooth was a molar.
Conclusions
- Patients were generally very satisfied; however, dentists often were unaware.
- Lowest ratings of satisfaction were related to communication.
- Improved communication is needed so dentists better understand patients’ desires, expectations, and perceptions.
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