Patient satisfaction and quality of dental care at a tertiary care hospital in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.

Abstract

Context: The quality of care revolves around patient satisfaction, which is of paramount importance in remote resource-limited areas like Andaman and Nicobar Islands, especially when tertiary level of dental services is being catered by only one medical college.

Aims: This study aimed to determine patient satisfaction and quality of dental care at a tertiary care government hospital in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and to identify factors influencing patient satisfaction with end objective to propose recommendations.

Settings and design: This study was conducted in Dental Outpatient Department (OPD) of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences.

Subjects and methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study in which 100 patients attending the Dental OPD, volunteered to participate in the study and completed a pretested pre-validated self-administered questionnaire.

Statistical analysis used: Data were analyzed using Jamovi. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the level of satisfaction and quality of care and spearmen rho to assess correlation.

Results: Overall, the patients are satisfied with the dental care services provided in the hospital. Highest satisfaction (98%) was noted with the clinic cleanliness, ventilation, and maintenance (98%), followed by dentists' performance and availability of dental materials and instruments (97%). Patients were least satisfied with the waiting time.

Conclusions: Most of the patients were satisfied with dental care services in the tertiary care hospital. Additional improvements regarding the waiting time and physical appearance of the dental centers are needed. In addition, interventions regarding accessibility, particularly when booking an appointment, are required.