Title
Factors for choosing a pediatric dentist in Saudi Arabia
Authors
Ateet Kakti1, Rahaf Ali bin Salamah 2, Farah Zaid Alhamdan3, Bashar Ayed Alanazi4, Balsam Dawood Alghomlas5, Azzam Abdulrahman Al Saleh6 & Abdulmajeed Abdullah Alhasmi7
Affiliation
1Riyadh Elm University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 2General Dentist, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 3King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 4Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 5King Abdulaziz Medical City National Guard Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 6MOH, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 7Periodontic Division, King Salman Hospital, MOH, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; *Corresponding author
Ateet Kakti - E-mail: ateet.kakti@riyadh.edu.sa
Rahaf Ali bin Salamah – E-mail: Rahafbinsalamah@gmail.com
Farah Zaid Alhamdan - E-mail: farah.9rz@gmail.com
Bashar Ayed Alanazi - E-mail: bashar31@hotmail.com
Balsam DawoodAlghomlas - E-mail: balsam.alghomlas@gmail.com
Azzam Abdulrahman Al Saleh - E-mail: AAALSALEH@moh.gov.sa
Abdulmajeed Abdullah Alhasmi - E-mail: dralhasmi@hotmail.com
Article Type
Research Article
Date
Received December 1, 2023; Revised December 31, 2023; Accepted December 31, 2023, Published December 31, 2023
Abstract
The choice of a pediatric dentist is a crucial decision for parents, influenced by a variety of factors. This study aimed to investigate the key determinants that guide parents in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in their selection of a pediatric dentist. A cross-sectional survey was administered to a diverse participant pool. The survey captured demographic information, history of dental visits, parents' level of concern about dental treatment for their children, and the importance of specific factors in the choice of a pediatric dentist. The survey was completed by a balanced representation of different age groups and genders. Most participants from Riyadh and other regions had a history of dental visits. Parents' concern about dental treatment varied based on the number of children they had. The most significant factors influencing the choice of a pediatric dentist were the quality of the dental unit's disinfection process, the dentist's ability to communicate with the child and manage uncooperative behaviour, and the dentist's experience. The least influential factors were the proximity of the dental office to the child's school, the dentist's gender, and the number of pediatric dentists in the practice. This study provided valuable insights into the factors that influence parents' decision in choosing a pediatric dentist in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Data helps dental professionals understand parents' priorities and improve their services accordingly to meet patient needs and expectations.
Keywords
Pediatric dentist, parental decision, dental treatment concerns, dental visit history, Saudi Arabia.
Citation
Kakti et al. Bioinformation 19(13): 1411-1418 (2023)
Edited by
Vini Mehta & Hiroj Bagde
ISSN
0973-2063
Publisher
License
This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. This is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
