Orthodontists' opinions of factors affecting patients' choice of orthodontic practices.
BACKGROUND
There is little valid information about factors that influence a patient's choice of an orthodontic practice. The aim of this study was to determine what orthodontists consider the most important factors for prospective adult patients or parents of prospective adolescent patients when choosing an orthodontic practice.


METHODS
We randomly selected 450 orthodontists from the American Association of Orthodontists' membership list, stratified to represent various regions. They were sent 2 questionnaires: 1 for prospective adult patients (44 questions) and 1 for parents of prospective adolescent patients (51 questions). The orthodontists were asked to answer as they thought their potential patients would. Responses were given on a visual analog scale.


RESULTS
One hundred twenty-three orthodontists returned the questionnaires. The 3 highest scores were (for adult patients): "a doctor who makes you feel comfortable," a doctor with a "caring attitude," and "the doctor's overall reputation." For the parents of adolescents, orthodontists thought that "a doctor with a caring attitude," "who makes you feel comfortable," and "a staff with a caring attitude" were most important.


CONCLUSIONS
Orthodontists thought that the personal characteristics of the doctor and the staff were the most important factors affecting a potential patient's decision in choosing a practice.
Bedair
Tamer M
TM
Division of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, Ohio State University, 305 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Thompson
Sarah
S
Gupta
Charu
C
Beck
F Michael
FM
Firestone
Allen R
AR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009970:Orthodontics; D057240:Patient Preference; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult