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Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
A study of satisfaction with dental services among adults in the United Kingdom
1WHO Collaborating Centre for Disability, Culture and Oral health, National Centre for Transcultural Oral Health, Eastman Dental Institute for Oral Health Care Sciences, University of London. R.Bedi@eastman.ucl.ac.uk
Objectives:
To determine satisfaction with dental care services among the UK adult population, and to assess their knowledge regarding the dental complaints procedure.
Methods:
A national survey involving a multi-stage random sampling procedure with face-to-face home interviews of 5,385 UK residents was conducted in 1999.
Results:
The response rate was 69% and 3,739 adults took part in this study. Majority of people (89%) were satisfied with the quality of care they received. Only 2% (76) had actually complained, although 10% (388) had felt like complaining in the past. One third (32%, 1,188) did not know to whom to complain if they had a problem. Among those who knew whom to contact, over a third (36%, 1,359) would contact somebody outside the practice, while another third (31%, 1,169) would contact their dentist or dental practice.
Conclusion:
Overall most people are satisfied with the quality of dental care they receive. However, 2% have complained and 10% have felt like complaining about their dentist/ dental care. In general, knowledge of the complaints procedure and whom to contact appears fragmented.
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