Evaluation of satisfaction among relatives of mentally disabled patients who were users of a dental care protocol under general anaesthesia

OBJECTIVES In the field of action of disease associated with dependence the Third Health Plan of Castilla y León aims specifically at promoting the adjustment of health assistance to the needs of disabled people, according to their situation. Our objectives were: General: To know the satisfaction level among relatives or caregivers of people who were treated according to a protocol of dental care for mentally disabled people. Specific: To know if satisfaction is related to any sociodemographic characteristics of patients or to their pathology. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study by telephone survey, set in the Primary Health Area of Salamanca. The target population includes relatives or caregivers of mentally disabled patients who were sent to the hospital for treatment under general anaesthesia after being attended in Primary Dental Care Units, from 1st of June/2005 to 31st of May/2006. Social and demographic variables and patients' diseases, as well as level of satisfaction with the service, were studied through a survey. RESULTS 67.4% of patients' relatives or caregivers answered the survey, among whom 94.7% (C.I. 95%: 89-100%) were quite or very satisfied with the service in general. CONCLUSION The protocol has high acceptance despite its difficulties and it has achieved considerable improvements in several aspects of patients' life. This level of satisfaction was not related to any sociodemographic or clinical patient characteristics. Nevertheless, accessibility aspects and communication with patients may still be improved.