IADR Abstract Archives
COMPARISON of PATIENT SATISFACTION LEVELS in PUBLIC and PRIVATE DENTAL OUTPATIENT CLINICS in LAGOS
Objectives: This study aimed to compare patient satisfaction levels in public and private dental outpatient clinics in Lagos
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study surveyed 208 consenting patients at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Randle General Hospital, Roperb Dental Clinic, and Platinum Dental Surgery. The consecutive sampling method was used. Patient satisfaction was measured using a Likert scale to measure their perception of satisfaction. Data was collected via self-administered pre-tested questionnaires and analyzed electronically using Epi-Info 7.2.5.
Results: The response rate was 100%. The mean age of the respondents for public and private dental clinics was 32.6% and 30.7%, respectively. Females had higher attendance (51.9% and 53.9%) in private and public clinics. Most of the respondents in public clinics (67.3%) were moderately satisfied, while most of the respondents in private clinics (82.7%) were very satisfied. Factors that contributed to patient satisfaction were the friendliness of staff (particularly the receptionists), the ease of making appointments, and infection control (hand hygiene of dentists), all of which had higher percentages in the private clinics (97.1%, 95.2%, and 90.3%) as compared to the public ones (71.2%, 68.3%, and 66.4%), respectively. Also, the waiting time was shorter in private clinics (62.5%) than in public clinics (31.8%). However, anxiety levels were higher in private clinics (53.9%) than in public clinics (39.4%).
Conclusions: Within the limits of this study, it was found that patients were satisfied in both public and private dental clinics; however, patients were much more satisfied in the private clinics.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study surveyed 208 consenting patients at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Randle General Hospital, Roperb Dental Clinic, and Platinum Dental Surgery. The consecutive sampling method was used. Patient satisfaction was measured using a Likert scale to measure their perception of satisfaction. Data was collected via self-administered pre-tested questionnaires and analyzed electronically using Epi-Info 7.2.5.
Results: The response rate was 100%. The mean age of the respondents for public and private dental clinics was 32.6% and 30.7%, respectively. Females had higher attendance (51.9% and 53.9%) in private and public clinics. Most of the respondents in public clinics (67.3%) were moderately satisfied, while most of the respondents in private clinics (82.7%) were very satisfied. Factors that contributed to patient satisfaction were the friendliness of staff (particularly the receptionists), the ease of making appointments, and infection control (hand hygiene of dentists), all of which had higher percentages in the private clinics (97.1%, 95.2%, and 90.3%) as compared to the public ones (71.2%, 68.3%, and 66.4%), respectively. Also, the waiting time was shorter in private clinics (62.5%) than in public clinics (31.8%). However, anxiety levels were higher in private clinics (53.9%) than in public clinics (39.4%).
Conclusions: Within the limits of this study, it was found that patients were satisfied in both public and private dental clinics; however, patients were much more satisfied in the private clinics.