Perceptions of Patients Seeking Consultations in Restorative Dental Clinics of Hail Region, Saudi Arabia.

Alhobeira, Hazza A.; Mian, Rashid Iqbal; Siddiqui, Ammar Ahmed

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between patient perceptions and professional assessments for restorative treatment needs in the population attending dental clinics at Hail. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive study with a crosssectional design. A validated questionnaire encompassing five subject areas for the dentists and patients was used as a study tool for this study. Data were presented in form of numbers. Chi-square test was employed to identify association among patient and dentists. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: About 26% patients perceived discoloration compared to 41% reported by dentist, 70% patients and 59% dentist reported it not being a problem. Seventy-two (72%) patients perceived pain as a concern compared to 91% by dentists. Both findings were statistically significant P < 0.05. Twenty Eight (28%) patients perceived space as a concern compared to 32% by the dentist. Whereas for 70% patients space was not a concern, compared to 68% by the dentists. Similarly, for loose teeth 53% patients and 47% dentists perceived it as a concern, whereas 47% patients and 53% dentists did not. Both findings were not statistically significant at P > 0.05. Conclusions: A significant difference was observed between patient and dentist perception of pain and esthetics (poor color). This difference could be because of esthetics and pain being subjective entities. The cost was not a barrier in seeking dental consultation.

DENTIST-patient relationship; DENTAL discoloration; DENTISTS; OPERATIVE dentistry

Journal of International Oral Health, 2016, Vol 8, Issue 1, p8

0976-7428

Academic Journal

10.4103/0976-7428.199393