Patients' Satisfaction With Dental Services at a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

OBJECTIVES: To assess patients' satisfaction with dental services and their perceptions of the oral health provider at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital METHOD: Descriptive Likert- type questionnaire based study conducted on patients who attended the out patient clinics between March and July 2006. Respondents were asked to rate satisfaction on 19 items from 4(very satisfied) to 1(very dissatisfied). 0 for no response. Overall scores and mean scores were generated and compared. RESULTS: 300 patients participated with a male: female ratio of 1:1.8. Mean age was 32.28 +12.38. 237(79%) had tertiary education. There was a moderately high level of satisfaction overall. Females appear to be more satisfied than males though not significant. Older patients were also more satisfied. Items with the highest level of satisfaction were location of the hospital and oral health personnel-patient relationship. Dissatisfaction was expressed for fees charged, conveniences and being treated by students. CONCLUSIONS: While patients expressed moderately high satisfaction with the services, identified areas needing improvement were infrastructure, power and water supply and uninterrupted supply of consumables.