Black is the new blue? A cross-sectional Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) survey of colour preferences for scrubs, PPE and the dental clinical environment.

Abstract

Background: Colour cues in dental clinics may shape perceptions of professionalism, comfort, hygiene and anxiety, yet evidence from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) settings across attire, PPE and the operatory environment remains limited. This study examined colour preferences across Oman, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain.

Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was completed by non-healthcare university students in Oman (n = 193), UAE (n = 250) and Bahrain (n = 170) (total N = 613). Participants selected preferred colours for scrubs and multiple dental items (PPE, chairside disposables, dental chair and wall colour), indicated scrub colour by clinical scenario (routine, surgical, paediatric), endorsed 'comfortable' colours (select-all), and rated five attitudinal statements on a 5-point Likert scale. Between-country differences were examined using chi-square tests (Cramer's V) and Kruskal-Wallis tests; additional modelling included GEE for comfort endorsements and exploratory logistic regression for scenario switching.

Results: Scrub preferences clustered around classic colours (blue/black), with modest between-country differences (χ² = 24.09, df = 10, p = 0.007; V = 0.14). Oman most preferred black (50.3%) then blue (41.5%); the UAE preferred blue (52.8%) then black (42.0%); Bahrain preferred blue (47.1%) then black (37.1%). Scenario framing increased openness to non-classic colours in paediatric care (red and yellow), and only 16.6% retained the same scrub colour across all scenarios. For other items, classic/neutral tones predominated, with significant country differences for most categories (including masks, wall colour, dental chair, dental bib, disposable kit and suction tips), while glove colour distributions were broadly similar. Warm/yellow operatory lighting was preferred over white lighting overall (60.2%) with negligible between-country differences (p = 0.881). Comfort endorsements were highest for blue and white; patterned prints showed the clearest country separation (UAE 50.4% vs Oman 36.8% and Bahrain 35.9%), persisting in adjusted GEE models. Most respondents disagreed that darker colours appear less hygienic, although distributions differed modestly across countries (Kruskal-Wallis p = 0.010).

Conclusions: Colour preferences in GCC dental settings are anchored in a stable 'classic' palette, while scenario and item context introduce actionable departures, particularly for paediatric care. Black competed directly with blue across several domains and was not generally viewed as less hygienic, supporting its inclusion within a 'safe' procurement palette. Preference for warm lighting suggests a practical environmental lever to enhance perceived comfort.