Factors associated with parents’ satisfaction on dental service for special needs patients at pediatric dental clinic of Hatyai Hospital

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to examine parents’ satisfaction and factors associated with satisfaction among parent of children with special health care needs who received dental services at the Pediatric Dental Clinic, Hatyai Hospital. The study also explored parents’ opinions regarding the dental services provided. A total of 123 parents participated in the study between June and November 2024. Data were collected in three parts: (1) general information of parents and patients obtained through questionnaire, (2) parental satisfaction with dental treatment and services assessed using a 27-item questionnaire covering five domains, and (3) patient information obtained from medical records. The results showed that  parents’satisfaction ranged from high to the highest level. Differences in satisfaction scores according to associated factors were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test and the Kruskal–Wallis test, with a significance level set at 0.05.. Differences in parental age groups showed significant differences in overall satisfaction (p = 0.00), satisfaction toward dentists (p = 0.00) and satisfaction toward service patterns (p = 0.03). In addition, Educational level differences were significantly associated with satisfaction toward dentists (p = 0.04). The findings indicate that parental age and educational level influence satisfaction with dentists and service patterns. Enhancing dentists’ communication skills to suit parents with difference ages and educational backgrounds, along with designing dental services during regular office hours, including service settings that facilitate accessibility and treatment approaches that respect the physical and psychological conditions of patients and their parents  dental care based on professional ethics and moral principles is expected to further enhance satisfaction and contribute to a better quality of life for children with special health care needs and their families.