Influence of Weekday on Demand Patterns for Restorative Dental Treatment: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Restorative dental treatments are essential for maintaining oral health. However, the demand for these services can vary throughout the week, impacting clinic operations and patient care. This descriptive analytical study aimed to investigate the influence of weekdays on the pattern of demand for restorative dental treatment and to identify peak and low-demand days. Methods: The study involved a secondary analysis of 4,200 patient records from the Conservative Clinic of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (January 2022 - April 2023). Data on the day of the week, patient sex, visit status (new or recall), and monthly distribution were collected. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics, generalized linear mixed models (GLMM), and analysis of variance (ANOVA), with p-values used to assess significant differences. Study Design: This retrospective cross-sectional study examined secondary data from clinic records. A total of 4,350 records were retrieved, but 4,200 were analyzed after excluding incomplete entries. Results: The highest attendance was recorded on Tuesday, followed closely by Wednesday, while Friday had the lowest. Statistically significant variations in attendance were found across weekdays. Monday's attendance was significantly higher than Friday's (Mean Difference: -3.21, 95% CI: -4.66 to -1.76, p<0.001). Female patients (58.1%) consistently demonstrated higher attendance than males. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights to help healthcare providers optimize scheduling and resource allocation, thereby improving overall service efficiency and patient care. Understanding these daily attendance patterns can inform decisions to reduce wait times and enhance patient satisfaction.