Choosing a paediatric dentist: Factors influencing parents' decision
Choosing a paediatric dentist is an important decision for parents. The mechanisms of this selection have hardly been studied. This study assesses the factors influencing parents' decision choosing a specialised paediatric dentist for their child. A questionnaire consisting of 30 items that cou...
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| Published in: | European journal of paediatric dentistry Vol. 21; no. 1; p. 74 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Italy
01-03-2020
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Get more information |
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| Summary: | Choosing a paediatric dentist is an important decision for parents. The mechanisms of this selection have hardly been studied. This study assesses the factors influencing parents' decision choosing a specialised paediatric dentist for their child.
A questionnaire consisting of 30 items that could potentially be relevant to decision-making was sent nationwide in Germany to paediatric dentists to be given to the parents of new patients (n=450). Eighty-nine out of 102 returned questionnaires (response rate=22.7%) were evaluated.
Parent's and children's experience in previous dental visits played an "important" or "very important" role in choosing a paediatric dentist (78.8% and 62.2%, respectively). The most frequently mentioned recommendation for the paediatric dentist was by friends and acquaintances (86.5%). Recommendations from other dentists were often included in the decision making (60.7%), while specialist journals or Internet portals were less important for the respondents (15% and 19%, respectively). Most of the parents used Internet search engines and the practice website to obtain information.
Previous negative experience with general dentists was the main reason for visiting a specialised paediatric dentist. Recommendations came mostly from the close social environment and the qualifications were the most important feature for choosing a paediatric dentist. |
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| ISSN: | 2035-648X |
| DOI: | 10.23804/ejpd.2020.21.01.15 |