Patient satisfaction with dental care in one Swedish age cohort: part II - what affects satisfaction

The aim of this study was to investigate satisfaction with dental care in relation to dental care factors, recent dental care experiences, past dental care experiences, general health factors, oral health factors and socio-economic factors and all over time. All persons born in 1942 in two counties in Sweden, Orebro and Ostergötland, were surveyed by post in 1992 at the age of 50, and resurveyed at the age 55. There were 5363 persons responding at both times, constituting the study group. A conceptual theoretical model was constructed to be used as a framework in the analysis. Multiple regression analysis and contingency tables were used. Factors related to satisfaction with dental care were: care organisation, cost for care, visit to dental specialist, time spent in waiting room, regular attendance, reception at dental clinic, feelings of anxiety, taking part of school dentistry, smoking, oral health factors, dental appearance and being dissatisfied 5 years previously. Change between the two study years was affected by perceived oral health, experiences from the most recent dental visit and care organisation. Oral health related factors and dental care factors like cost for care and care organisation were related to satisfaction with dental care. Likewise were experiences from the most recent dental visit and to some extent past care experiences like school dentistry. Almost no correlation was seen between socio-economic factors and satisfaction.