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Research ArticleResearch

Do Waiting Times in Dental Offices Affect Patient Satisfaction and Evaluations of Patient-Provider Relationships? A Quasi-experimental Study

Marita Rohr Inglehart, Alexander H. Lee, Kristin G. Koltuniak, Taylor A. Morton and Jenna M. Wheaton
American Dental Hygienists' Association June 2016, 90 (3) 203-211;
Marita Rohr Inglehart
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Alexander H. Lee
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Kristin G. Koltuniak
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Taylor A. Morton
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Jenna M. Wheaton
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Abstract

Purpose: Spending time in waiting rooms prior to dental visits is not uncommon for dental hygiene patients. The objectives were to determine if the length of a patients' waiting time affected their satisfaction with the appointment and their evaluation of their provider. In addition, the patient's level of education and whether the dental visit is a first visit will be examined to determine if these affected the outcome.

Methods: Survey data were collected from 399 adult patients who came for regularly scheduled visits to a dental school clinic. The patients ranged in age from 19 to 93 years (mean=52 years; SD=16.9). For 29% of the patients, this visit was the first visit with this provider.

Results: The patients whose providers were early (n=65) were more satisfied, more likely to plan to follow their provider's recommendation and evaluated their relationship with their provider more positively than patients whose providers were on time (n=283), while the patients in the “late” group (n=32) showed the most negative responses to all questions. Patients from higher educational backgrounds were most negative in their responses when their providers were late. Patients with a first visit whose providers were late had the most negative evaluations of the patient-provider relationship.

Conclusion: Long waiting times prior to a scheduled dental appointment have a negative effect on patients' satisfaction with their visit, the evaluations of the patient-provider relationship and the patients' intentions to return.

  • dental hygienists
  • dentists
  • patients
  • dentist-patient relationships
  • patient appointment
  • patient satisfaction
  • patient schedule
  • patient compliance
  • patient cooperation

Footnotes

  • Marita Rohr Inglehart, Dr. phil. habil, is a Professor, Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry & Adjunct Professor, Department of Psychology, College of Literature, Science & Arts, University of Michigan. Alexander H. Lee, BS, is a Research assistant, University of Michigan – School of Dentistry. Kristin G. Koltuniak, BS, RDH, is a dental hygienist in private practice of Dr. Diana Wolf Abbott, DDS, MS, PC, in Rochester Hills, MI. Taylor A. Morton, RDH, BS, is a dental hygienist in private practice at Children's Dental Specialists in Warren, NJ. Jenna M. Wheaton, RDA, RDH, BSDH, is a dental hygienist in private practice at Shortt Dental in South Lyon, MI.

  • This study supports the NDHRA priority area, Health Promotion/Disease Prevention: Assess strategies for effective communication between the dental hygienist and client.

  • Copyright © 2016 The American Dental Hygienists’ Association
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American Dental Hygienists Association: 90 (3)
American Dental Hygienists' Association
Vol. 90, Issue 3
June 2016
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Do Waiting Times in Dental Offices Affect Patient Satisfaction and Evaluations of Patient-Provider Relationships? A Quasi-experimental Study
Marita Rohr Inglehart, Alexander H. Lee, Kristin G. Koltuniak, Taylor A. Morton, Jenna M. Wheaton
American Dental Hygienists' Association Jun 2016, 90 (3) 203-211;

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Do Waiting Times in Dental Offices Affect Patient Satisfaction and Evaluations of Patient-Provider Relationships? A Quasi-experimental Study
Marita Rohr Inglehart, Alexander H. Lee, Kristin G. Koltuniak, Taylor A. Morton, Jenna M. Wheaton
American Dental Hygienists' Association Jun 2016, 90 (3) 203-211;
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  • dentist-patient relationships
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  • patient satisfaction
  • patient schedule
  • patient compliance
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