Patient satisfaction after receiving dental treatment among patients attending public clinics in Dar es Salaam

Abstract

Background: Patient satisfaction is one of the indicators of the quality of care. Therefore it is one of the tools for evaluating the quality of care.
Aim: To determine patient satisfaction after receiving dental treatment among patients attending public dental clinics in Dar-Es-Salaam.
Material and methods: Five public dental clinics in Dar-es-Salaam were conveniently selected. A total of 334 patients were selected by random selection method to participate in the study. Data collection was done using a closed ended Kiswahili questionnaire. The obtained data was analyzed using the SPSS programme. Frequency distribution and bivariate analysis was done in using chi-square test. Significance level was set at p-value ≤0.05.
Results: Majority (97.6%) were satisfied with dental care. The most satisfying aspects of oral care were external environment and explanation given by dentists (98.2%). The least satisfying aspect of oral care was waiting time by 12.9%. Older adults (98.8%), males (98.6%), participants with secondary education or higher (98.9%) and participants residing far from the dental clinics (98.2%) were more satisfied with dental care than their counterparts. In all cases, the differences were not statistically significant.
Conclusion and recommendations: It can be concluded that adult Tanzanians have a high level of satisfaction with dental care. The most satisfying aspects were external environment and explanation given by dentists while the least satisfying was waiting time. It is recommended that dentists should strive to maintain the satisfying aspects and strive to reduce patient waiting time.

Key words: patient satisfaction, dental patients, Tanzania