Assessing Personality Risk Profiles in Prosthodontics Patients: A Delphi-Driven Classification Approach.

Purpose: To identify specific personality traits that could potentially undermine the overall satisfaction of the patient with the prosthodontic treatment.

Materials and methods: A literature review was conducted to identify the personality traits (PTs) relevant to patients requiring dental treatment. Later, a Delphi process was employed to classify the selected PTs into their levels of risk to prosthodontic treatment satisfaction, ultimately leading to the development of a personality risk profile (PRP) proposal. The expert panel consisted of specialists with over 10 years of practice experience. The Delphi process involved three rounds of evaluation and consensus building.

Results: In total, 26 PTs associated with dental treatment satisfaction were identified. Following the three rounds of the Delphi method, a consensus was achieved, resulting in the classification of these PTs into three PRPs, as follows: low risk (Cooperative, Understanding, Compliant, Trusting, Concerned about their health, Willing, Grateful, and Responsible); moderate risk (Insecure, Overinformed, Demanding, Appearance-obsessed, and Pessimistic); and high risk (Mistrustful, Skeptical, Unwilling, Defiant attitude, Unrealistic expectations, Neglectful, Treatment-resistant, Patient speaks. negatively about other dentists, Violent, Irresponsible, Idealize the dentist, and Controller).

Conclusions: This study identified and categorized PTs that have the potential to adversely impact prosthodontic treatment satisfaction. Through this PRP proposal, dental professionals can recognize these patients before initiating prosthodontic interventions.