Patient Satisfaction with Dental Appearance and Related Factors- A Cross Sectional Study.

Corresponding Author:
Molook Torabi
Kerman Social Determinants of Oral
Health Research Center and Oral and
Dental Diseases Research Center and
Kerman and Department of Maxillofacial
Pathology, School of Dentistry, Kerman
University of Medical Sciences,
Kerman, Iran.
E-mail: m.torabi.p@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Dental appearance is one of the most important determinants of facial attractiveness and has a key role in social interactions. This study aimed to assess the satisfaction with dental appearance and the factors influencing this satisfaction among the patients attending dental clinics in Kerman, Iran (2017).

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 329 patients who were attending dental clinics in Kerman. Data were collected by a questionnaire consisting of demographic information (gender, age, education level, smoking, economic condition) and 14 questions about dental aesthetics. The collected data was analysed in SPSS 22 and chisquare test. The significance level was considered to be p<0.05.

RESULTS

Of the respondents, 52.3% (172) were female, 69.60% (229) were satisfied with their dental appearance, and 61.70% (203) preferred tooth whitening as the cosmetic treatment for improving dental appearance. The mean score of satisfaction with dental appearance was 9.77±3.42 from 14. There was a significant correlation between the economic condition and the mean satisfaction score. A significant correlation was also observed between gender and general satisfaction with dental appearance. Satisfaction score had a significant correlation with age, smoking, and economic condition.

CONCLUSIONS

Tooth whitening was the most preferred method for improving dental appearance. Older people were significantly less satisfied with their dental appearance and people with better economic conditions were significantly more satisfied with their dental appearance. To ensure patient satisfaction with cosmetic treatments, clinicians should gain a better understanding of patients’ perceptions, desires, and apprehensions in regard to dental appearance.

KEY WORDS

Dental Appearance, Satisfaction, Dental Aesthetics, Treatment, Beauty, Cosmetic Dentistry