Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Patient satisfaction in health care describes the degree to which patient’s need “meet their expectations and provide an acceptable standard of care”. Therefore, their opinion should be in corporate to understand factors affecting patient’s satisfaction with the healthcare setting. It is difficult for the dentists to provide optimum satisfaction to patients receiving dental care with different treatment needs. A study aiming to evaluate the patient’s satisfaction receiving dental treatment in Department of Dentistry, General Hospital Bharuch was planned. Method: A cross-sectional observational study from September to November, 2017 was conducted. A self-administered printed questionnaire drafted in English / Gujarati was provided to 225 patients on completion of their dental treatment. 13 close ended questions were included to determine the patient’s satisfaction. Descriptive Statistical analysis was used to describe parameters of questionnaire. Chi-square test was used to find significant association between parameters and p- value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 74.3 % of the participants were satisfied with dentist-patient communication. Positive response (80 %) by patients was obtained where they were able to get appointment as per their suitability and were informed in advance by department if there were any changes. 168 (84 %) patients responded that the waiting area was hygienic. 137 (68.5 %) patients assured that their arrival was intimated to respective dentist by supporting staff and that they were taken into operatory for treatment within 10 minutes of arrival. Participants said that they were informed about the delay from their allotted appointment schedule with reasons, hence a better compliance (79 %) were obtained from them. Conclusions: This cross-sectional study indicated that with proper communication positive response by participants over satisfaction was obtained even due to various challenges posed by work place or treatment constraints.