[Patients' survey on regular check-up system in dental clinics]

This survey classified the issues involved in promoting the regular check-up system in dental clinics. The survey was conducted in two parts: interviews with 39 dental clinics and a questionnaire survey of 5,129 patients (response rate: 56.8%). The results are summarized as follows: 1. Among the dental clinics that participated in this survey, the proportion of regular patients, the number of dental hygienists working at clinics, and the number of patients per day were higher than those of the national average. 2. The demographic patterns of regularly attending patients were "female, aged under 14 years and students or public servants". 3. Satisfaction with the technical competence of hygienists has the strongest correlation with regularity of visiting. The degree of correlation was about twice that of the correlation with technical competence of the dentist. 4. Patients' priorities for improving dental services to enhance satisfaction were treatment charges, appointment system, and attitude of staff and doctors toward welcoming the patients.