An exploratory study of the patients for the consultation and use of preventive dental service / 대한구강보건학회지

ABSTRACT

Objectives@#This study aims to identify the factors related to the consultation and use of preventive dental services among patients visiting dental clinics. @*Methods@#The self-reporting questionnaire survey was conducted among patients in Busan, South Korea, and overall, 319 patients participated in this study, with a response rate of 83.9%. @*Results@#Among the study participants, 74.6% stated that preventive service was necessary and 193 patients (60.5%) agreed to undergo consultation for preventive dental service. Consequently, 66.3% of patients who underwent consultation agreed to participate in preventive dental service.The most popular reason provided to receive this service was “to maintain teeth longer” (72.9%), whereas the common factor for declining was “lack of time” (49.3%). Most people who did not attend the consultation of preventive dental service mentioned that the dental staff “did not recommend the consultation” (43.9%). Logistic regression analysis for the consultation and service use for preventive dental service showed that dental clinics, age, and satisfaction were the most influential factors. @*Conclusions@#Both the characteristics of patients and dental clinics were important factors for people to agree to the consultation and use of preventive dental services. If dental staff launch efforts to improve the quality of service for the satisfaction of patients, it will increase participation in preventive dental services, which could help promote oral health and patients’ quality of life.