An evaluation of the San Francisco Department of Human Services Welfare Dental Program

To evaluate the welfare-to-work San Francisco Personal Assisted Employment Services (PAES) Dental Program.

A cohort of 377 study participants in the novel PAES Dental Program were followed through their baseline examination, rehabilitative dental treatment, follow-up exam, and completion of patient satisfaction survey. A framework of structure, process, and outcome measures was used to evaluate the success of the Dental Program. Chi square test, logistic regression, and paired t-test were used to analyze the levels of participation and satisfaction in the program.

Of the 377 study participants, 265 (70%) completed their rehabilitative dental treatment. Those who completed their dental treatment had more missing teeth and fewer decayed teeth at baseline than those who did not complete their treatment. High levels of patient satisfaction were reported for the Dental Program. Ninety-seven percent of 173 respondents felt that they had been treated with respect, 92% were satisfied with the scheduling of their appointments, 91% were satisfied with their Dental Program experience, and 90% felt that their chief complaint had been solved.

The PAES Dental Program provided high levels of patient satisfaction for process and outcome measures.