Impact of an Alternative Hours Dental Clinic for Adolescents

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to understand familial reasons for attending an alternative hours dental clinic and assess accompanying adult and patient satisfaction with expanded hours. Methods: A questionnaire was developed and administered to patients aged 14 years and older and their accompanying adult while attending either a recare or treatment appointment in the adolescent evening clinic (AEC). Questions included inquiries about demographics, and individual questions were directed to the accompanying adult and patient. Results: Fifty questionnaires from accompanying adults and 55 questionnaires from patients were included in this study. Seventy-six percent and 42 percent of accompanying adults, respectively, said their reason for attending the AEC was not having their child miss school and to avoid missing work. Conclusions: Access to care is improved by providing extended clinic hours, but other barriers to care must also be considered. One hundred percent of accompanying adults would schedule their child again during the adolescent evening clinic hours.