Marium Iqbal, Asmat Jameel, Mohsin Girach, Murtaza.
Factors affecting patients` choice of dental services.
Pak Oral Dental J Jan ;34(4):691-5.

The objective of the study was to determine the factors affecting the patients’ choice of dental services in dental OPDs. A cross-sectional study was conducted in dental OPDs of various public hospitals. Trained dentists collected the data from patients using a questionnaire. Convenience sampling was done and all patients who agreed to participate in the study and were 18-64 years of age were included. The surveyed patient comprised 533 patients; 258 (48.4%) males and 275 (51.6%) females. Irrespective of their earnings patients considered professional experience (73%), availability of different treatments (76%) and friendly environment (77%) as highly preferable factors when selecting a dental service. Location of the clinic and personal referrals were not considered very important by many. It was concluded that there is a complex interaction between patients’ choices and service- providers’ characteristics and that preferences vary for different individuals possessing different cultural background.

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