Related Experiment Videos
How personal protective equipment affects perceptions of dentists
A G Glaros1, C C Gadbury-Amyot
1University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry 64108.
Journal of the American Dental Association (1939)
|October 1, 1993
Summary
Seeing dentists in personal protective equipment (PPE) positively impacts patient attitudes. This study found that dental professionals wearing full PPE, including gloves, masks, and face shields, were viewed more favorably by young adults.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Dental Public Health
Background:
- Patient perceptions of dental professionals can influence treatment adherence and overall dental experience.
- The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by dentists is standard practice for infection control but may also impact patient perception.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of a dentist's personal protective equipment (PPE) on young adults' attitudes toward the dentist.
Main Methods:
- 248 college-educated young adults completed the Dental Fears Survey.
- Participants viewed one of two images of a dentist: one without PPE, and one with full PPE (gloves, mask, glasses, face shield, lab coat).
- Attitudes toward the dentist were assessed using a 20-item semantic differential scale.
Main Results:
- Participants' attitudes toward the dentist were significantly more positive when the dentist was depicted wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE).
- The presence of PPE on the dentist correlated with more favorable patient perceptions.
Conclusions:
- The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by dental professionals can enhance patient attitudes.
- Visual cues of safety and professionalism, such as PPE, may play a crucial role in shaping positive patient-dentist relationships.