Dress and Address: Patient Preferences Regarding Doctor’s Style of Dress and Patient Interactions

Abstract

Aim and Objective: To evaluate preferences of the dentists’ attire among patients and parents within in patient general and paediatric settings. Methodology: A questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic information and their preferences from parents who accompanied their children to the dental clinic. Information was also elicited from photographs showing dentists with different attires and protective wears. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 21 and the level of significance was set at <0.05. Results: A statistically significant difference was evident in the preference level of parents and children towards dental setup and Dentist attire. The poster was the preferred tool for oral health education. All the children preferred female gender for dental health personnel. Conclusion: The preferences for different attires and protective wears, and gender of the dentist show that identification, safety, empathy and rapport were desired from the dentist by the parents and children.

Keywords: Parents, dentist attire, paediatric dentistry, white coat, protective wears

Cite this Article

Srinivasan K. Dress and Address: Patient Preferences Regarding Doctor’s Style of Dress and Patient Interactions. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Dentistry. 2019; 10(2): 16–22p.