Assessing Personality Risk Profiles in Prosthodontics Patients: A Delphi-Driven Classification Approach

To identify specific personality traits that could potentially undermine the overall satisfaction of the patient with the prosthodontic treatment.

A literature review was conducted to identify the personality traits (PTs) relevant to patients requiring dental treatment. Later, a Delphi process was employed to classify the selected PTs into their levels of risk to prosthodontic treatment satisfaction, ultimately leading to the development of a personality risk profile (PRP) proposal. The expert panel consisted of specialists with over 10 years of practice experience. The Delphi process involved three rounds of evaluation and consensus building.

In total, 26 PTs associated with dental treatment satisfaction were identified. Following the three rounds of the Delphi method, a consensus was achieved, resulting in the classification of these PTs into three PRPs, as follows: low risk (Cooperative, Understanding, Compliant, Trusting, Concerned about their health, Willing, Grateful, and Responsible); moderate risk (Insecure, Overinformed, Demanding, Appearance-obsessed, and Pessimistic); and high risk (Mistrustful, Skeptical, Unwilling, Defiant attitude, Unrealistic expectations, Neglectful, Treatment-resistant, Patient speaks. negatively about other dentists, Violent, Irresponsible, Idealize the dentist, and Controller).

This study identified and categorized PTs that have the potential to adversely impact prosthodontic treatment satisfaction. Through this PRP proposal, dental professionals can recognize these patients before initiating prosthodontic interventions.