Factors affecting Dental Satisfaction among Indian Undergraduate Dental Students

Aims: To assess the level of satisfaction with dental care among dental students and to know whether students in different stages of the dental course had any difference in their level of satisfaction with dental care. Methods: 372 students from first to final year and interns completed the nineteen item Dental Satisfaction Questionnaire (DSQ). Results: The mean DSQ total was 49.64±10.3. The comparison (F=4.52, p= <0.01) of the total DSQ among the dental students showed that the total dental satisfaction was more among third years, final years and interns. The mean of the three subscales of dental satisfaction i.e. access, pain management and quality of dental care were 18.9±4.1, 16.5±5, and 18.9±4.1 respectively. Post hoc (F=7.03, p= <0.01) comparisons showed that third year dental students and interns had more satisfaction with the quality of dental care as compared to first and second year students. Conclusion: Improving dental satisfaction among the dental students is a factor that should be given paramount importance in preparing of professionally competent dentists.