1Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Sri Ramachandra Dental College and Hospital, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai-600116 (TN.)
2Department of Prosthodontics, Sri Ramachandra Dental College and Hospital, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai-600116 (TN.)
3Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Sree Balaji Dental College & Hospital, Barath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai-600100 (TN.)
4Department of Public Health and Preventive Dentistry, Sathyabama Dental College and Hospital, Chennai (TN.) 600119
The purpose of this study was to determine the factors affecting the choice of dental office type among senior citizens of Chennai city. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the dental OPD of a tertiary hospital through face-to-face interviews among 250 patients aged” 60 years, selected through convenient sampling. The study instrument consisted of open items to understand the elder s dental perspectives, expectations, and experiences. It comprised questions regarding sociodemographic profile, duration of previous dental visit along with the purpose, the type of dental setup they preferred, and the reasons for opting so. Data was collected and analysed statistically using SPSs. The findings of the study revealed that all the respondents preferred tertiary hospitals to private and governmental units. Reasons for opting so were determined to be the affordability of treatment fee, satiifaction level primarily as a consequence of the skills or competency of the care provider, fulfillment in the expectation of clean ambiance, availability of holistic care services, and provision of service by considerate staffs at proximity. Based on the present findings, it may be concluded that the financial status of geriatric patients governs their selection of dental care setting.
Patient preference, Dental care, Quality Improvement, Patient satisfaction, Dental setting, Oral health care provider
