Dentists' perceptions of problem behaviors in patients

Area of Science:

• Dental Practice Management
• Patient Behavior Studies
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• The dentist-patient relationship is complex and influenced by various patient behaviors.
• Understanding dentist-reported patient problems is crucial for improving dental care delivery and patient satisfaction.
• Previous research has not extensively explored the specific challenges dentists encounter with their patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and categorize common problems dentists experience with patients in general practice.
• To analyze the relationship between the frequency of occurrence and the level of annoyance these problems cause to dentists.
• To explore the impact of specific patient behaviors, particularly fear-related ones, on the dentist-patient dynamic.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted with a sample of 376 dentists in general practice.
• Dentists reported on the frequency and annoyance levels of various general patient cooperation issues and specific chair-side behaviors.
• Statistical analysis was used to examine relationships between frequency and annoyance for different patient problems.

Main Results:

• Poor oral hygiene, missed appointments, and unpaid bills were frequent and annoying general patient cooperation issues.
• Patient history inaccuracies were highly bothersome but infrequent.
• Fear-related behaviors, like showing fear, were common but less bothersome, while physically intrusive actions like grabbing the dentist's hand were highly bothersome but infrequent.
• Patient behaviors devaluing the dentist's performance may stem from anxiety and negatively impact the dentist-patient relationship.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights significant, yet under-researched, problems dentists face with patients.
• Fear and anxiety in patients can manifest in behaviors that negatively affect the dentist-patient relationship.
• Further research and practical strategies are needed to address patient-related challenges and enhance the dentist's role in the patient equation.