Patient preferences for dental clinical attire: a cross-sectional survey in a dental hospital

Cross-cultural validation of Malay version of perceived professionalism among dental patients

BACKGROUND

Professionalism is a dynamic construct that requires constant revision based on contemporary practices and attitudes.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to cross-culturally adapt an already validated English questionnaire assessing patient perceptions of professionalism among dentists, into the Malay language.

METHODS

An original 24-item questionnaire was cross-cultural adapted in the Malaysian context through two phases. Phase I included content and face validity from experts' evaluation which was followed by translation into the Malay language. Phase II involved psychometric assessment including construct validity and reliability analysis.

RESULTS

Expert evaluation indicated that all items demonstrated excellent content validity for the characteristics of relevance (CVI = 0.75-1.00 Kappa = 0.72-1.00) and clarity (CVI = 0.75-1.00 and Kappa= 0.72-1.00). A total of 300 dental patients completed the questionnaire. EFA was done on the first dataset and the second dataset was subjected to CFA which showed composite reliability (CR) ranging between 0.741 and 0.897 indicating acceptable reliability among items. The final questionnaire had 20 items with 3 domains; Patient expectation of a dental care provider, Ethics and Dentist's professional responsibilities, Patient communication and confidentiality.

CONCLUSION

This study has successfully validated the questionnaire for patient perception of professionalism in the Malaysian context.

Patient perception of orthodontists with different stereotypes: development, psychometric properties, and application of an assessment instrument

INTRODUCTION

This research aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire that considers social judgments and, through its application, assesses whether the presence of piercings, tattoos, beards, and loose hair visible in the face and neck region reflect on the patient perception regarding characteristics of the orthodontist's professional scope.

METHODS

The developed questionnaire had its psychometric properties evaluated and was applied to 220 young people and adults, aged 18-70 years, who responded according to their perception of 12 manipulated images of orthodontists with different stereotypes, considering the following items: hygiene, care, punctuality, experience and knowledge in orthodontics.

RESULTS

The developed questionnaire showed high acceptability, confirmed reliability and validity of the construct, and satisfactory internal consistency. The stereotype interfered with the perception of professionalism (P <0.01), in which the orthodontist with combined characteristics (beard/loose hair, piercing, earrings, and tattoo) obtained the lowest mean scores, both for each item of the questionnaire individually (P <0.01) and in total (P <0.01). Health professional (P = 0.427) and educational level (P = 0.285) status did not influence the perception; however, there was a significant difference for the age groups (P = 0.041).

CONCLUSIONS

The developed questionnaire proved to be valid and reliable for application. Orthodontists with piercings and tattoos on the face and neck were considered less professional. Being a health professional and educational level status did not influence the perception. However, older subjects (aged 51-70 years) were more critical in judging stereotypes than younger subjects (aged 18-30 years).

Factors That Affect Saudi Population Preferences Toward Their Dentist

OBJECTIVE

To explore the preference of Saudi population when selecting their dentist.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional observational study.

METHODS

An online questionnaire was distributed in Arabic language. The inclusion criteria were Saudi participants, aged 18 years or above. The questionnaire was divided into four sections that included participants' demographic data, preferred criteria on dentists and dental office design, and table for the importance of each of the factors studied.

RESULTS

A sample size of 5317 participants completed the questionnaire with a mean age of 30.5 ± 11.6 years old, 57% were females. Most of the participants had no preference on their dentist's nationality (63%) or gender (44%). There was a preference for dentists who are consultants (38%), well known (83%), and has an explanatory-style consultation (78%). Participants preferred scrub and lab coat attires for their male (41%) and female (38%) dentists. Less than half of the participants (44.8%) preferred the dentist to have a social media account. Of all social media platforms, Twitter was the most preferred one (37%). White clinic color was more preferable than other colors (56%). Of all the factors studied, dentist's reputation, clinical rank and cost of treatment were considered very important for most of the participants when selecting their dentist.

CONCLUSION

Overall, Saudi participants have specific preferences on their dentists and dental office design. Dentists might consider these factors to improve their dental practice and their patients' experience.

Investigation of the effects of veterinarians' attire on ratings of trust, confidence, and comfort in a sample of pet owners in Canada

OBJECTIVE

To examine companion animal owners' perceptions of appropriate veterinarian attire and investigate potential associations between a veterinarian's attire and clients' ratings of trust in, confidence in, and comfort with a veterinarian.

SAMPLE

449 pet owners.

PROCEDURES

Participants were randomly assigned to complete a questionnaire containing photos of a male or female model veterinarian photographed in 8 attire types (formal attire, white dress shirt with black pants, white casual shirt with khaki pants, surgical scrubs, white casual shirt with jeans, surgical scrub top with jeans, surgical scrub top with khaki pants, and white laboratory coat with khaki pants). Participants were asked to rate their trust in, confidence in, and comfort with the pictured individual on a response scale of 1 (low) to 7 (high), rank photos according to their preferences for attire, and provide input on the importance of attire and other appearance-related subjects. Attire and gender of photographed individual and participant demographics were investigated for associations with trust, confidence, and comfort scores.

RESULTS

Most (317/445 [71%]) respondents indicated veterinarians' attire was important. Attire type was significantly associated with respondents' trust, confidence, and comfort scores. Model veterinarian gender and participant education level were also associated with trust and comfort scores.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Veterinarians' attire is a form of nonverbal communication that is likely to inform clients' first impressions and may influence clients' trust in, confidence in, and comfort with a veterinarian. Veterinary personnel and veterinary management should consider how attire and general appearance represent staff members or their practice.

Facilitating Green Supply Chain in Dental Care through Kansei Healthscape of Positive Emotions

Dentistry is highly energy- and resource-intensive with a significant environmental impact. To consolidate green dentistry supply chains, delivering the care of highest quality that meets client value should not be neglected. This study emphasized the importance of client-centered healthscape design for facilitating a green dentistry supply chain. A client-centered healthscape design, which promotes clients' positive emotions and increases willingness to revisit the dentist, plays a critical role in realizing green dentistry supply chains in the long run. For this purpose, the relationship among dental healthscape design elements, client emotions, and revisit intentions was investigated using a Kansei engineering-based approach. The effects of dental healthscape elements on clients' positive emotions and the effects of positive emotions on clients' revisit intentions were holistically examined on the basis of the stimulus-organism-response model. Through this approach, 17 elements of design, ambience, and social interaction factors that comprise the dental healthscape and 20 Kansei words used to express clients' positive emotions regarding dental service were identified. A questionnaire survey was used to assess Kansei and revisit intention in healthscape scenarios, composed of varied design elements. Primary data were collected from 600 individuals from 2017 to 2018 throughout Taiwan. Partial least squares was applied to holistically analyze the effects of dental healthscape elements on clients' positive emotions and the effects of positive emotions on clients' revisit intention to generate a Kansei model for the dental healthscape. All 20 Kansei words had significant positive effects on the dental revisit intention of clients. The five positive emotions most associated with increased revisit intention were thoughtful, hopeful, tender, comfortable, and cozy. The Kansei model of the dental healthscape provides references for healthscape design that maintains positive client emotions during the dental service and results in high revisit intention. This approach can realize an emotion-centered design for dental healthscapes that promotes preventive dental care, early treatment, and effective use of medical resources, and consequently contributes to green dentistry supply chains.

Patients' preferences regarding age, sex, and attire of orthodontists

INTRODUCTION

We investigated whether patients in different age groups are influenced by the age, sex, and attire of an orthodontist.

METHODS

The opinions of 360 patients regarding 4 orthodontists and 3 types of attire (from photos) were investigated using a questionnaire. Patients were classified as children (8-11 years; n = 120; group 1), adolescents (12-17 years; n = 120; group 2), and young adults (18-25 years; n = 120; group 3). The chi-square test was used to evaluate age- and sex-based preferences for orthodontists and attire types, and a statistical test of proportion (significance level, 5%) was used for multiple comparisons.

RESULTS

Young female orthodontists were preferred (41.1%). A white coat was the preferred attire (48.1%), followed by social clothing (31.7%) and a thematic pediatric coat (19.7%). Groups 1 and 2 preferred a young female orthodontist, whereas group 3 had no apparent age and sex preferences. Regarding attire, group 1 preferred social clothing, whereas groups 2 and 3 preferred a white coat.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients of all ages consider appearance to be an important factor when choosing an orthodontist. The participants largely preferred younger professionals who dressed in white coats, because this type of attire was considered clean and hygienic.

Dental professionalism and influencing factors: patients' perception

BACKGROUND

Professionalism was recognized as a fundamental competency of medical/dental practice at the beginning of the twenty-first century. Organizations and experts published several definitions of professionalism, but research on patients' perception of professionalism has been limited. To address this gap in literature, this study explored dental patients' perception of dental professionalism, and then compared their perception with that of dental professionals.

METHODS

Of the 800 questionnaires that were distributed to dental patients in public and private clinics and hospitals, 504 were returned and were used in the analysis. A factor analysis was used to generate themes and sub-themes. Independent sample t-tests were performed to compare two independent groups and the ANOVA tests to compare means in more than two independent groups.

RESULTS

A factor analysis revealed four factors: excellence and communication skills; humanism, commitment, and service mindedness; competence in practice; and dentists' duties and management skills. Adherence to sterilization and infection control rules and procedures; personal hygiene and clean professional attire; good communication skills; diagnostic and clinical judgment and provision of the most efficient dental treatment; and ethical decisions and ethical care were ranked as the first five most important elements of dental professionalism from patients' perspective. Several demographic factors showed significant differences in perception.

CONCLUSION

Patients' and dentists' perception of dental professionalism and professional behavior vary in certain aspects. These differences must be addressed to ensure excellence of dental service. Dental professionals must also be aware of the personal factors that affect a patient's perception of professionalism.

Effect of malocclusion on the self-esteem of adolescents

INTRODUCTION:

Esthetics plays an essential role in orthodontic treatment. The psychological effects of malocclusion are an inspiration to improve one's esthetics and seek treatment.

OBJECTIVES:

This study aimed to assess relationships between self-esteem and malocclusion severity and type in adolescents using a self-esteem measurement scale and the index of treatment need (IOTN) and to investigate the influence of age, sex, and school type in these relationships.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Adolescent students aged 12–19 years randomly selected from four private and two governmental schools were enrolled for this study. After completing the self-esteem questionnaire, participants were examined by researchers to evaluate malocclusion severity and type using the IOTN.

RESULTS:

The sample consisted of 886 participants: 558 females (62.9%) and 328 males (37.1%) with a mean age of 16 years. Chi-square analysis showed that 17.1% of males and 31% of females showed low levels of self-esteem, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Cases with multiple malocclusions showed significantly lower self-esteem (P = 0.018) compared with single-category malocclusion. Anterior teeth spacing, crowding, and overjet malocclusion showed the highest percentages of low self-esteem.

CONCLUSIONS:

The present study supports that malocclusion has negative effects on self-esteem; multiple malocclusions with spacing, crowding, and overjet had the greatest effects.

Children and Parent's Attitude and Preferences of Dentist's Attire in Pediatric Dental Practice

Background: Before arrival into doctor’s clinic, child might have acquired an impression of a clinical environment and doctor’s appearance. Different kind of doctor’s attire may evoke different reactions. By understanding children and parent’s perception and preferences about dentist’s attire, a suitable dress code could be adopted to establish good rapport with children.

Aim: To evaluate children and parental perceptions and preferences towards dentist attire.

Materials and methods: A questionnaire designed with series of photographs of male and female dental students in different attires was responded by 150 parents aged 29 to 63 years and 150 children aged 9 to 13 years.

Results: Seventy percent of children participants (n = 104) and 42% of parents participants (n = 63) favored the traditional white coat attire. However, 58% parents (n = 87) significantly preferred non-white coat attires in comparison to 30% of children (n = 46) (χ² = 21.61, p < 0.001). No statistical significant difference was noted among the children and the parents, both favoring the use of protective wear (χ² = 0.99 p > 0.05), no-significant association was found between parents and children response to white coat (χ² = 0.39, p = 0.53). A highly significant difference was found between the male participants, who favored the male dentist and female participants preferring the female dentist (χ² = 47.16, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Our study attempted to rule out the stereotyped concept of ‘white coat fear’ among children, both children and parents favored traditional white coat attire, contrary to popular misconception ‘white coat syndrome’. However, use of child friendly attires could be useful in anxious children for better practice management.

How to cite this article: Ellore VPK, Mohammed M, Taranath M, Ramagoni NK, Kumar V, Gunjalli G. Children and Parent’s Attitude and Preferences of Dentist’s Attire in Pediatric Dental Practice. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2015;8(2):102-107.

What to wear? The influence of attire on the perceived professionalism of dentists and lawyers

Using a sample of 201 participants and a between-subjects design, the perceived professionalism-suitability, capability, ease to talk to and friendliness-of male and female dentists and lawyers in various attires was examined. Results showed an absolute preference for male dentists and lawyers in professional and formal attire, respectively. Male dentists and lawyers in professional and formal attire were further rated as more suitable, capable, easier to talk to, and friendlier than female professionals, and than those dressed in smart or casual attire. Results are discussed in terms of positive dental outcomes and legal representation. Limitations are considered.

Children's perspective on the dentist's attire

BACKGROUND

Despite many advances in paediatric dentistry, the greatest challenge for any paediatric dentist is to remove the anxiety related to a dental visit and get the child patient to accept the treatment readily. The manner in which the dentist presents himself plays an important role in cementing a friendly relation with the child.

AIM

To assess school children's perceptions and preferences towards dentist's attire so as to understand their psych and promote a successful relationship with the patient.

DESIGN

A questionnaire designed to evaluate children's attitudes and preferences towards dentists was distributed in public schools and was completed by 619 children (322 males, 297 females) aged between 6-14 years.

RESULTS

The study found that majority of children preferred dental professionals to wear traditional formal attire with a white coat and name badge. They preferred the use of plain masks and white gloves but disliked protective eyewear or headcaps. Most children liked dentists with closed shoes and no jewellery but preferred the use of a wrist watch.

CONCLUSIONS

The results obtained from this study can help dentists decide what is appropriate to wear when dealing with children so as to minimise their anxiety and improve delivery of health care.

Parents' preferences regarding appearance and attire of orthodontists

Objective:

To evaluate parents' preferences regarding the appearance and attire of orthodontists.

Materials and Methods:

Parents attending their child's first orthodontic appointment were asked to choose from among sets of photographs of potential orthodontic providers. Selected factors were varied within the sets, including sex and age of the provider as well as attire (casual, formal, white coat, or scrubs), hairstyle (loose or tied back for women, facial hair or clean shaven for men), and presence of a nametag.

Results:

A total of 77 parents participated. There were significant differences in choice of provider in terms of the provider's sex (P &lt; .0001), age (P  =  .0013), dress (P &lt; .0001), hair (P &lt; .0001), and nametag (P  =  .0065). There were no significant differences in preference attributable to parent characteristics (P &gt; .05).

Conclusion:

Parents of orthodontic patients demonstrated clear preferences for choosing a provider related to factors that are not within the control of the practitioner (sex and age) as well as factors that can be changed by the practitioner (attire, hairstyle, and wearing a nametag).

Children's and parents' attitudes towards dentists' attire

AIM

To assess children and parental attitudes towards dental attire.

METHODS

A convenience sample of paediatric dental patients and their parents attending the Paediatric Dentistry Dept. (Leeds, UK). Data was collected using a questionnaire accompanied by a series of photographs of female and male dental students in different modes of attire.

RESULTS

100 parents with a mean age of 40.4 years (SD+/-8.8) and range 23-60 years, and 100 children with a mean age of 9.8 years (SD+/-3.5) and range 4-16 years responded. Participants preferred females in white coat and mask (15.5%) and white coat (10.5%); males in white coat and mask (11.0%), white coat and glasses (9.0%) and formal shirt (8.5%). Parents significantly preferred formal attire and children informal attire (x2=25.417, p<0.022). Comparing white coat vs paediatric coats, both parents and children ranked white coats in favour of paediatric coats (x2= 1.476, p=0.347). A highly significant difference was found between the male participants who favoured the male dental student and female participants the female dental student (x2= 30.600, p<0.000).

CONCLUSIONS

Parents favoured traditional dress as it gives an air of professionalism. Children preferred dental students in casual attire, both children and parents ranked formal white in favour of a paediatric coat. There was a highly significant difference in preference of the participants towards the sex of their dental health care provider, male participants favoured male student and females female students.

Are we dressed to impress? A descriptive survey assessing patients' preference of doctors' attire in the hospital setting

This study investigated patients' attitudes to doctors in different attires in a hospital setting. A cross-sectional descriptive survey asked 586 adult patients to rate and rank photographs of a doctor in each of the following attires: scrubs, professional informal, professional formal, smart casual, casual and white coat. They were also asked to choose the single most important feature of a doctor's appearance out of six predetermined choices. Patients had most confidence in doctors wearing the white coat, followed by professional informal. Casual attire was the least confidence inspiring. No two attires were deemed to be equally rated or ranked. Varying demographic groups within the hospital rated and ranked some attire differently. Daily laundered clothing was considered to be the most important feature. With patients' clear preference for white coats, its reintroduction should be given consideration and education regarding the cleanliness of scrubs may increase patient confidence.