Patient Satisfaction with Orthodontic Treatment Received in Public and Private Hospitals in Dammam, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: The demand for orthodontic treatment is on the rise, and there are high patient expectations for improved dentofacial appearance. Patient satisfaction with orthodontic treatment is associated with improving treatment outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate patient satisfaction with orthodontic treatment received in public and private hospitals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a calculated sample of patients who received orthodontic treatment in public and private hospitals in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. A validated questionnaire (five-point Likert scale) was used to assess patient satisfaction with orthodontic treatment. RESULTS: A total of 229 out of 243 patients completed the survey (response rate = 94.2%). The mean age of the participants was 22.69 ± 6.34 years. More females (65.5%) than males (34.5%) participated in the study. The participants gave the highest satisfaction score to the doctor-patient relationship (mean score 4.33). This was followed by dentofacial improvement (mean score 4.23), dental functions (mean score 4.20), and psychosocial improvement (mean score 3.94). The participants provided significantly more positive perspective about doctor-patient relationship in public than private hospitals (P = 0.014). The patients treated in private hospitals were more satisfied with dental functions domain than those who received treatment in public hospitals (P = 0.023). The patients treated by public orthodontists were significantly more satisfied with other domains (situational aspect and residual category) than by the private orthodontists. CONCLUSION: The doctor-patient relationship was the most important factor in satisfaction with orthodontic treatment. Overall, patients treated in public hospitals were more satisfied with orthodontic treatment than those in private hospitals.