[The quality of dental care in children with permanent teeth trauma according to analysis of medical records in an emergency unit of a municipal dental clinic]. / Kachestvo okazaniya neotlozhnoi pomoshchi detyam s travmami postoyannykh zubov po dannym analiza dokumentatsii otdeleniya neotlozhnoi pomoshchi gorodskoi stomatologicheskoi polikliniki.

THE AIM OF THE STUDY: Was to assess the efficacy and timing of emergency dental care in children with permanent teeth trauma according to analysis of medical records in an emergency unit of a municipal dental clinic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 320 medical records of pediatric patients admitted to emergency dental care unit of a municipal dental clinic in 2021 because of maxillofacial trauma from which 221 records of children with acute dental trauma were extracted. The quality of documentation of the medical records, rationale for diagnosis and adequacy of emergency dental treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: No records included diagnosis code according to ICD-10. Trauma history was described in the majority of records by in 67% of them no trauma time was stated with proper precision. In 67.6% of permanent teeth trauma cases emergency aid was carried out inadequately. All patients with uncomplicated crown fractures were dismissed with no treatment. In complicated crown fractures needing pulp vitality preservation the pulp was devitalized or just anesthetized. Tooth replantation in avulsion cases was not performed. In 13.5% of records the treatment was not properly described. In 67.6% of records there were no recommendations for follow-ups. CONCLUSION: There is a strong need for the improvement of knowledge of traumatic dental injuries management among Russian pediatric dentists by elaboration and implementation of protocols for dental traumas treatment.

Impact of Delayed Dental Treatment during the COVID-19 Pandemic in an Undergraduate Dental Clinic in Southwestern Ontario, Canada - A Retrospective Chart Review.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of a COVID-19 mandated lockdown on the type and frequency of dental services accessed at an undergraduate dental clinic in southwestern Ontario. METHODS: We retrieved anonymized sociodemographic (n = 4791) and billing data (n = 11616) of patients for 2 periods of 199 days, before (T1) and after (T2) lockdown. We applied descriptive statistics and used Student's t test to compare the type and frequency of dental services provided between the 2 periods. We mapped forward sortation area (FSA) codes of each patient. RESULTS: Of the 4791 patients seen collectively in T1 and T2, most (67%) sought care before the lockdown. In both periods, most patients were ≥ 60 years of age (51.8%), female (33.9%) and residing in an urban area (88.6%). Compared with T1, there was a significant increase in middle-aged adults (p = 0.002) and significantly fewer patients earning over CAD 100 000 (p = 0.021) in T2. A total of 11616 billable procedures were carried out during T1 and T2: in T1, most procedures were preventative, whereas in T2, most were related to urgent care. Significantly fewer males than females sought urgent care, regardless of time. Finally, mapping showed a decrease in patients from Toronto, central and northern Ontario and clustering of patients in southwestern Ontario. CONCLUSION: We noted an overall reduction in billed services following the COVID-19 lockdown. The decrease in both billed services and patients seen during T2 demonstrates the impact of COVID-19 on access to timely and definitive dental care during the first 2 years of the pandemic.

Relationship between Body Mass Index and Sarcopenia with Oral Function Decline in Older Japanese Patients Who Regularly Attend a General Dental Clinic.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study examined the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and sarcopenia with oral function decline in older patients as well as whether a combination of underweight BMI and sarcopenia was associated with decreased oral function in individuals with conservative restorative and prosthetic treatment for masticatory disorders. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cross-sectional study included 290 older Japanese patients who regularly attended a general dental clinic. A detailed examination of oral function, sarcopenia, and BMI according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 criteria was conducted for patients aged 65 years. This study used odds ratios as an epidemiological measure in the cross-sectional survey. RESULTS: Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that the number of remaining teeth and tongue pressure was associated with both ideal and overweight BMI in individuals with sarcopenia when compared to healthy individuals. The underweight BMI plus sarcopenia group was associated with tongue and lip motor function [ka] sound test, swallowing function, and the presence of oral hypofunction. DISCUSSION: Our findings indicated that various aspects of oral function were impaired in community-dwelling older adult Japanese patients with sarcopenia and underweight BMI. Notably, among older adults with sarcopenia, both obese and thin patients exist, suggesting that distinct pathophysiological mechanisms influence oral function. CONCLUSION: The above findings support the hypothesis that the coexistence of sarcopenia and underweight BMI is associated with poor oral function. Regular oral function assessments and weight measurements in general dental practice can aid the prompt identification of sarcopenia and reduced swallowing function and can facilitate early intervention. The presence of sarcopenia and impaired swallowing function should be considered in patients with underweight BMI, reduced [ka] sound, and low tongue pressure following a thorough oral function examination.

Oral Health Literacy and Tooth Loss and Replacement in Older Adults at a University Dental Clinic in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Oral health literacy (OHL) is the ability of individuals to obtain, process, and understand oral health information and services, allowing them to make appropriate oral health decisions. The association between OHL and tooth loss and replacement have not been well understood. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the association between OHL and tooth loss and replacement in a Colombia population. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 384 older adults age 65 to 89 years from Pasto, Colombia was carried out. The number of lost and replaced teeth was assessed intraorally; sociodemographic and prosthetic characteristics were collected, and the Health Literacy in Dentistry questionnaire was used to evaluate OHL. Generalized linear models were estimated to assess associations between independent variables (including OHL) and the number of lost and replaced teeth. KEY RESULTS: There were 224 (58.3%) men and 160 (41.7%) women. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) number of lost and replaced teeth was 27.78 (4.03) and 12.53 (9.89), respectively. One hundred fifty five (40.4%) individuals had full removable dental protheses, 122 (31.8%) partial removable dental protheses, 68 (17.7%) fixed prosthetics, and 36 (9.4%) dental implants. OHL was 33.29 (6.59) and significantly positively associated with the number of replaced teeth (ß = 0.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.52-0.78, p < .001), but not with lost teeth. CONCLUSIONS: OHL may foster individuals' capabilities to replace lost teeth, although we did not find it associated with reduced tooth loss, likely as tooth loss was highly common in this older population. [HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice. 2024;8(1):e21-e28.].

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: The association between OHL and tooth loss and replacement has not been well understood. A study of 384 older adults was designed to evaluate the number of lost and replaced teeth and the association with OHL. We found that OHL may foster tooth replacement but was not associated with tooth loss itself.

Medical history complexity of patients attending dental student restorative treatment clinics compared with dental emergency clinics.

INTRODUCTION: Dental students should graduate from undergraduate programmes with the knowledge and skills to safely manage patients. This requires exposure to patients with a range of medical needs, which may impact the planning and delivery of care. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: We wished to establish the medical history complexity of patients presenting to student restorative clinics and compare them to patients attending a dental emergency clinic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recorded the medical history data of 200 anonymised patients attending student restorative clinics and compared them to previously collected data from 200 dental emergency clinic patients. We collected basic demographic data (age/gender) and noted the number of medical disorders, amount of comorbidity and the number and types of medications for each patient. RESULTS: The age and medical complexity of patients were different, with fewer young patients seen in the dental restorative clinics. Patients attending restorative clinics were more likely to have multiple comorbidities and took greater numbers and types of medications than those seen in dental emergency clinics. CONCLUSIONS: For patients seen in student restorative clinics, medical histories are taken once at the beginning of care and the subsequent treatment plan is delivered over many appointments accounting for that medical history. Emergency clinic patients attend for single treatment episodes and their medical complexity is immediately relevant to the treatment offered. Students have multiple, single encounters with patients in emergency clinics. In both clinics, dental treatment plans need to be adjusted to account for patients' drugs and diseases, providing opportunities to consolidate human disease learning.

Evaluation of the efficacy of hydroxyl radical (OH) release for disinfection of the air and surfaces in the dental clinic: an in vitro study / Evaluación de la eficacia de la liberación de radicales hidroxilo (OH) para la desinfección del aire y superficies en la clínica dental: un estudio in vitro

Background: Concerning about the quality of room air has increased exponentially. Specially in dental clinicswhere diary practice is characterized by the important generation of aerosols.Material and Methods: An in vitro model was used in which samples were collected from the surfaces and roomair of a dental clinic before and after the use of an OH˙ radical generator.Results: A total of 1260 samples were collected for bacteriological analysis and 14 samples for the detection ofSARS-CoV-2. Following OH˙ treatment, the tested surface samples showed a decrease in the number of colonyforming units (CFUs) of 76.9% in TSA culture medium. The circulating room air samples in turn showed adecrease in CFUs of 66.7% in Sabouraud medium and 71.4% in Mannitol agar medium. No presence of SARS-CoV-2 was observed on the surface of the face shield.Conclusions: The disinfectant technology based on the use of hydroxyl radicals (OH˙) is effective in reducing thepresence of moulds and yeasts and Staphylococcus in the air, and in reducing total aerobic bacteria on the testedsurfaces.(AU)

Emergency Department and Dental Clinic Perceptions of Appropriate, and Preventable, Use of the ED for Non-Traumatic Dental Conditions in Hot-Spot Counties: A Mixed Methods Study.

OBJECTIVES: Frequency of emergency department (ED) use for nontraumatic dental conditions (NTDC) is a well-researched community health concern. However, research predominately relies on ambulatory ED discharge records. This explanatory sequential mixed methods study reviewed NTDC ED use in hot-spot counties and assessed perceptions around preventable and appropriate use among EDs and dental clinics. METHODS: Tooth pain data (2015-2021) were drawn from State Medicaid, and the Early Notification of Community-Based Epidemics (ESSENCE). NTDC data were compiled using International Classification of Disease, Ninth and Tenth Revisions. Employing extreme case sampling, providers in counties with the highest per-capita NTDC ED use were interviewed. RESULTS: North Dakota experienced a decline in NTDC ED visits between 2017 and 2020, though the rate is now increasing. The greatest proportion of NTDC ED visits were among persons ages 20 to 34 and 35 to 44. ED and dental care staff have misconceptions around each other's roles in reducing NTDC ED visits, but unanimously suggest community-level prevention as a solution. CONCLUSIONS: NTDC ED use was perceived as "appropriate" care. However, there is consensus that improved access to, and utilization of, affordable and quality preventative dental care would reduce NTDC ED visits and improve overall community health, especially among populations experiencing greater inequities.

Patient receptivity to receiving vaccinations in the dental clinic at a rural federally qualified health center.

BACKGROUND: More than 28 million people in the United States visited their dentists but not a physician in 2018, yet only a few states allow dentists to administer vaccines to patients, and those vaccines are limited to influenza, COVID-19, and human papillomavirus. METHODS: To assess the receptiveness of adult dental patients and caregivers of pediatric dental patients to receive necessary vaccines during their dental appointment, a survey was distributed to patients attending a dental visit at a rural federally qualified health center from June 28, 2021, through December 31, 2021. RESULTS: Among the responses from 643 adult patients and 625 pediatric caregivers, approximately one-half (54.2% and 49.9%, respectively) reported being receptive to receiving vaccines in the dental clinic, with 28.5% and 21.8% not being receptive to vaccines, respectively. Primary language, age group, number of children, and primary care center all were associated significantly with reported likelihood of receiving vaccines (P < .05). The most reported concern about receiving vaccines at a dental clinic was a preference for their primary care physician to provide all vaccinations, according to 22.2% of adult patients and 39.8% of pediatric caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: The authors' findings support efforts to administer vaccines during dental visits to improve immunization rates among adults and children. Ongoing communication with primary care physicians regarding administration of vaccines in the dental clinic could reduce concerns by adult patients and pediatric caregivers. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Strategies and policies that establish protocols to ensure the safe and effective administration of vaccines in dental visits should be implemented and supported.

Patients satisfaction with the dental treatment provided at the University of Jordan's student clinics.

INTRODUCTION: To assess patients' satisfaction with the dental care provided to them by the undergraduate students at Jordan University Hospital. In addition, to investigate whether the age or gender of patients had any correlation with the level of satisfaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Dental Satisfaction Questionnaire (DSQ) developed by the RAND Corporation was used to measure patient satisfaction. The questionnaire was translated to Arabic the native language of the country and it consisted of 14 questions, which measure the overall satisfaction and the subscales of access, convenience and availability, continuity of treatment and quality of dental care provided. RESULTS: A total of 94 patients (58.5% female, 41.5% male) answered the DSQ, the Overall Dental Satisfaction Index (DSI) was found to be 86.2%, and there was no correlation between gender or age groups and the DSI (p < .05). All 14 questions scored above 4/5 except the question about whether the schools' building and dental units being modern and well equipped (3.7/5), and the general satisfaction question (3.2/5). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who were treated at the student clinics at the University of Jordan, School of Dentistry were found to be satisfied about both the quality of treatment and the dental environment, while reporting some negative aspects related mainly to the clinics building which they found to be very old and crowded. This study found no correlation between patients' satisfaction and the age or gender of the participants.

Referral from well-child care clinics to dental clinics leads to earlier initiation of preventive dental visits: A quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: An ealy first preventive dental visit for children is recommended no later than twelve months. However, still many children have their first dental visit relatively late. AIM: To evaluate whether active or passive referral by a well-child care (WCC) physician of babies for a first preventive dental visit leads to earlier initiation of dental care. DESIGN: From WCC clinics in two Dutch regions, 629 parents of babies participated. Parents received an active referral from a WCC physician for a dental visit for their babies (n = 204) or received care as usual (CAU) (n = 136) in one region and a passive referral (n = 143) or CAU (n = 146) in the other region. Active referral involved parents receiving a scheduled appointment at the dental practice, and passive referral involved parents making an appointment themselves. During the WCC visit, parents completed a baseline questionnaire. At age 2.5 years, parents received a follow-up questionnaire about dental attendance. RESULTS: Of the active referral intervention group, 59.3% had their first preventive dental visit in their first year compared with 3.7% in the CAU group (p < .001); for the passive referral group, 46.9% compared with 9.6% (p < .001). CONCLUSION: Referral of babies by WCC for their first preventive dental visit leads to earlier initiation of dental care. An active referral had a larger effect than passive referral.

Evaluation of the efficacy of hydroxyl radical (OH˙) release for disinfection of the air and surfaces in the dental clinic: an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Concerning about the quality of room air has increased exponentially. Specially in dental clinics where diary practice is characterized by the important generation of aerosols. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An in vitro model was used in which samples were collected from the surfaces and room air of a dental clinic before and after the use of an OH˙ radical generator. RESULTS: A total of 1260 samples were collected for bacteriological analysis and 14 samples for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. Following OH˙ treatment, the tested surface samples showed a decrease in the number of colony forming units (CFUs) of 76.9% in TSA culture medium. The circulating room air samples in turn showed a decrease in CFUs of 66.7% in Sabouraud medium and 71.4% in Mannitol agar medium. No presence of SARS-CoV-2 was observed on the surface of the face shield. CONCLUSIONS: The disinfectant technology based on the use of hydroxyl radicals (OH˙) is effective in reducing the presence of moulds and yeasts and Staphylococcus in the air, and in reducing total aerobic bacteria on the tested surfaces.

Association between oral condition and subjective psychological well-being among older adults attending a university hospital dental clinic: A cross-sectional study.

Positive psychological well-being has a favorable impact on survival rates in both healthy and unhealthy populations. Oral health is also associated with psychological well-being, is multidimensional in nature, and includes physical, psychological, emotional, and social domains that are integral to overall health and well-being. This study aimed to identify the associations between individual and environmental characteristics, oral condition and nutritional status in relation to subjective well-being among older adults using the Wilson and Cleary conceptual model. The participants were older adults (age ≥ 60 years) attending a university hospital. Subjective well-being was assessed using the World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index, oral condition was assessed based on the number of bacteria in the tongue coating, oral wettability, tongue pressure, occlusal force, oral diadochokinesis, and masticatory ability, and subjective swallowing function was assessed using the Eating Assessment Tool, number of remaining teeth, and number of functional teeth. In addition, factors related to well-being, including social networks, life-space mobility, nutritional status, smoking history, drinking history, and medical history were assessed. In the analysis, structural equation modeling was used to investigate the association between oral condition and subjective well-being. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed oral condition as a latent variable, including tongue pressure, oral diadochokinesis /pa/, /ta/, /ka/, occlusal force, masticatory ability, subjective swallowing function, and number of functional teeth. Structural Equation Modeling revealed that oral condition was positively correlated with nutritional status, and nutritional status was positively correlated with the World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index. These findings suggest that oral condition may influence subjective well-being via nutritional status or social environmental factors.

Evaluating the use of role-play simulations in teaching management of medical emergencies in the dental clinic.

BACKGROUND: Practical hands-on training is necessary for clinical competence in managing medical emergencies in the dental setting. Therefore, the King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Dentistry developed a role-play simulation-based clinical module for training clinical years (Years 4, 5, and 6) dental students in medical emergency management between 2016 and 2020. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and skills of years 4, 5, and 6 dental students before and after the completion of the role-play simulation-based medical emergency training module. METHODS: A mandatory four-hour annual training module was designed consisting of a 45-minute lecture on the medical emergency basic action plan and overview, four hands-on stations, and six role-play simulation-based medical emergency stations. A 16-item multiple choice test was used to assess the knowledge of the students before and after the training module every academic year. An objective structured clinical exam (OSCE) on a medical emergency scenario was administered to the students graduating each year. The difference between the pre- and post-module test scores and the one-time OSCE pass/fail rate were analyzed statistically using appropriate tests. RESULTS: A total of 846 students participated in the study between 2017 and 2020: 275 once, 483 twice, 87 thrice, and one participated four times; in total, 1,506 assessments were conducted. Overall, the pre-test and post-test mean scores were 9.4 ± 3.0 and 13.5 ± 1.6, respectively. All students showed significant improvements in the post-test scores compared to the pre-test scores. Year 4 students showed the highest improvement, followed by Year 5 and Year 6. There was a statistically significant association between the pass/fail rate of the OSCE station and the number of times the module was taken. CONCLUSIONS: The significant improvement in the scores of clinical year students in this study supports an annual mandate for all dental students to undergo simulation-based competency training in their clinical years. Teaching institutions are recommended to utilize simulation and hands-on instruction to teach medical emergency management.

Knowledge, acceptance, motivators and barriers of booster dose of COVID-19 vaccination among dental patients: A cross-sectional study.

Given the lingering threat of COVID infection, questions are being raised if coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine needs annual or regular boosters to maintain high levels of immunity against both the original virus and variants. This study was designed to evaluate the knowledge, acceptance, motivators and barriers of the booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine among the dental patients of District Lucknow, India. A total of 297 respondents were selected by a convenience sampling method in this cross-sectional study from various dental clinics. An anonymous, self-administered, closed-ended questionnaire was used. Overall 37.7% respondents reported to have taken all 3 doses and 57.9% had taken single/double doses. Correct information about booster doses shows a significant association with the number of doses taken. The majority had information about the availability of the Pfizer booster vaccine (69.0%). About 58% of participants had information about the technology used in booster doses. The hesitancy for booster doses and the development of natural immunity by infection show significant associations with the number of doses taken. Only 18.2% patients had hesitation about the booster dose and most of them 78.8% recommended others to take the booster vaccine as soon as possible. The majority assumed that previous COVID-19 vaccines can help them get immune (21.5%) followed by not much research has been done on the booster vaccines (15.5%) and their chronic diseases warn them against the booster dose administration (12.5%). Nearly 18.2% of respondents had hesitation about booster dose and less than one third of the respondents trusted a government source for information about booster dose of COVID vaccine. Nearly 36 % did not know that the booster dose of COVID vaccine is available at health centers. Dental health professionals and policymakers should implement and support strategies to ensure people are vaccinated for COVID-19 booster doses.

Behavior and anxiety levels in pediatric patient: The behavioral changes and anxiety of pediatric patient in dental clinic.

AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the behavioral patterns and anxiety levels of pediatric patients in dental clinics, discern their behavioral expectations, and investigate the associations between these factors and the patient's age and gender. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 150 pediatric patients visiting Sharjah Thumbay Dental Hospital for treatment were recruited over a study period of 23 weeks (February 12, 2022 to July 23, 2022). The patient's age ranged from 2 to 14 years. Guardians were informed about the study and their written consent was taken. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Children over 14 years old, children whose guardians refused to participate in the study, and medically compromised children. Frankl's behavior rating scale, Categorical rating scale, and Venham anxiety and behavioral rating scales were used to evaluate the pediatric patient's behavior and anxiety at the end of the dental visit, the evaluation was done by the same trained dental student for all the patients. RESULTS: When the Mann-Whitney U test was used for gender, no significant differences were observed in behavior and anxiety between male and female patients across all scales employed in this study. Conversely, when examining various age groups for behavior and anxiety using the Kruskal-Wallis test, significant findings emerged across nearly all scales. In the categorical rating scale, the age group of 11-14 years exhibited the most notable results in subscales of crying (p = .034), cooperativeness (p = .002), and apprehensiveness (p = .003). CONCLUSION: The pediatric patients who took part in this study exhibited heightened anxiety when attending dental clinics. This study underscores the importance of understanding child behavior and utilizing effective communication with children and their guardians. Dental professionals should consider implementing strategies to manage child behavior during visits. Further research is required to develop sufficient strategies tailored to different pediatric populations, aiming to enhance dental care outcomes for pediatric patients.

Dental clinicians' perceptions on the use of tele-dentistry consultations during COVID-19 within public dental clinics in Sydney, Australia.

BACKGROUND: Although well accepted by clinicians and patients, teledentistry is not currently a widely used model of care within Australian public oral health services. This qualitative study aimed to review and evaluate dental clinicians' perceptions, by determining the acceptability and appropriateness of teledentistry as a model of care. METHODS: A purposive sample of 12 public dental practitioners employed by a Local Health District in Sydney, and who had participated in teledentistry consultations, were recruited to participate in focus groups. Focus group discussions were transcribed verbatim and subjected to thematic analysis. RESULTS: Teledentistry was a novel concept for most participants and was well accepted. Participants valued the use of a standardized consultation template as well as effective communication with other dental clinicians to support the practice of teledentistry. However, many found attempting contact with patients over the telephone difficult as well as the perceived patient frustration with the administration process and technological difficulties experienced. CONCLUSION: Teledentistry has the potential for growth and expansion in the public health system. From the opinions in this study, the authors propose further research is needed into the efficacy of teledentistry to assist with the development of a model of care that would be beneficial for dental clinicians and their patients. © 2023 Australian Dental Association.

Parent perceptions regarding virtual pediatric dental clinics during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To assess the attitudes and responses of parents of pediatric patients towards virtual dental clinics during COVID-19. Material and Method: A total of 102 parents of pediatric patients who were scheduled for virtual (video or telephonic) clinic appointments for new patient consultations and follow-up clinics were included in the study. Parents and patients could attend the virtual clinic from a personal computer, tablet, or smartphone. An electronic self-administered questionnaire was sent to the parents through email after consultation (video or telephonic) which consisted of demographic data and a ten-item, five-point Likert-scale assessing: (i) parent satisfaction; (ii) ease of use; (iii) the effectiveness including increasing access to clinical services; (iv) reliability of the teledentistry system and (v) usefulness for patients. Statistical analyses used were t-test, one-way ANOVA test, Shapiro-Wilk and histogram. Result: Out of 102 parents, 52 attended video clinics and 50 attended the telephonic clinic. The majority of the parents were between 30-39 years of age, and about 73% had no previous experience with either virtual or telephonic consultation. Ninety-four percent of parents were satisfied with vide clinic consultation, and most of them agreed that accessing clinical services through a video clinic was easy to understand, comfortable, and time-saving. The majority of the parents (94%) agreed and strongly agreed that they will use video clinics again in the future for consultation. Conclusion: Parents' response to the use of virtual clinics for pediatric dentistry during COVID was positive. The majority of the parents stated that they would consider using teledentistry for future consultation.

Patient Satisfaction in Military Dental Clinics-Findings From the Department of Defense Dental Patient Satisfaction Survey.

INTRODUCTION: An objective of the Military Health System is to deliver an improved health care experience. Patient satisfaction affects the patient experience, health outcomes, and treatment compliance. The purpose of this study is to identify indicators of high and low patient satisfaction within a military dental setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: De-identified data from 248,342 responses to the DoD Dental Patient Satisfaction Survey conducted from October 2014 to March 2016 were used. The overall satisfaction and other related outcomes were analyzed by age, sex, beneficiary status, current rank, current Service, type of dental treatment, clinic location, and clinic size. Unpaired t-tests and logistic regression modeling were used to ascertain relationships between various aspects of patient satisfaction and variables of interest. RESULTS: Overall, 96% of patients attending military dental clinics were satisfied, whereas 72% of patients were satisfied with the number of days waited for an appointment. Air Force patients were the most satisfied compared to their Army, Navy, and Marine Corps counterparts. Patients treated in small dental clinics (less than 5 dentists) were 74% more satisfied than patients treated at large dental clinics (more than 12 dentists). Patients seeking routine dental treatment were significantly more satisfied with the number of days waiting for an appointment (odds ratio = 8.03; 95% CI: 7.64-8.43) compared to patients waiting for an emergency dental appointment. CONCLUSIONS: There were important differences in patient satisfaction by military Service and clinic size, suggesting that improvement in satisfaction may need to be Service specific. These differences warrant further research that could inform policy changes directed at improving service members' dental care and readiness.