Users' dissatisfaction with dental care: a population-based household study.
OBJECTIVE To examine whether demographic, socioeconomic conditions, oral health subjectivity and characterization of dental care are associated with users' dissatisfaction with such are. METHODS Cross-sectional study of 781 people who required dental care in Montes Claros, MG, Southeastern Brazil, in 2012, a city with of medium-sized population situated in the North of Minas Gerais. Household interviews were conducted to assess the users' dissatisfaction with dental care (dependent variable), demographic, socioeconomic conditions, oral health subjectivity and characterization of dental care (independent variables). Sample calculation was used for the finite population, with estimates made for proportions of dissatisfaction in 50.0% of the population, a 5.0% error margin, a non-response rate of 5.0% and a 2.0% design effect. Logistic regression was used, and the odds ratio was calculated with a 5% significance level and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS Of the interviewed individuals, 9.0% (7.9%, with correction for design effect) were dissatisfied with the care provided. These were associated with lower educational level; negative self-assessment of oral health; perception that the care provider was unable to give dental care; negative evaluation of the way the patient was treated, the cleanliness of the rooms, based on the examination rooms and the toilets, and the size of the waiting and examination rooms. CONCLUSIONS The rate of dissatisfaction with dental care was low. This dissatisfaction was associated with socioeconomic conditions, subjectivity of oral health, skill of the health professionals relating to the professional-patient relationship and facility infrastructure. Educational interventions are suggested that aim at improving the quality of care among professionals by responsible agencies as is improving the infrastructure of the care units.
Departamento de Odontologia, Faculdades Unidas do Norte de Minas, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, MG, Brasil.
Andréa Maria Eleutério de Barros Lima
AM
Martins
Departamento de Odontologia Social e Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
Raquel Conceição
RC
Ferreira
Departamento de Fisiopatologia, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, MG, Brasil.
Pedro Eleutério dos
PE
Santos-Neto
Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Norte de Minas, Pirapora, MG, Brasil.
Danilo Lima
DL
Carreiro
Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brasil.
João Gabriel Silva
JG
Souza
Departamento de Odontologia Social e Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
Efigênia Ferreira e
EF
Ferreira
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003729:Dental Care / Q000592:standards*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult