Factors related to satisfaction with dental care among 23‐year olds in Norway

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the present study were to explore (i) the prevalence and distribution of satisfaction with dental care among 23-year olds in Norway; and (ii) possible factors associated with the same variable. METHODS: A random sample of adolescents (n=968) surveyed at age 18 were resurveyed by post at the age of 23. The questionnaire included the psychometric instruments Dental Satisfaction Questionnaire (DSQ), Dental Fear Survey (DFS), Dental Beliefs Survey (DBS), and the (WHO) Five Scale Psychological General Well-Being Schedule. RESULTS: The response rate was 69%. Of this group, 15% of the subjects were very satisfied, and another 15% were very dissatisfied with dental care. The following variables explained 58% of the variance of satisfaction with dental care at age 23: positive beliefs of the dentist (DBS), low dental anxiety, perception of having a dentist to go to, last treatment session not painful/unpleasant, and gender (male). Being very satisfied with dental care was associated with high DMFT at age 16 and few previous experiences of pain. Being very dissatisfied at age 23 was associated with low general well-being, previous experiences of pain and dislike of the dentist (both reported at age 18). Last dental treatment session was reported as very painful or unpleasant by 6.7% of the group. CONCLUSIONS: Beliefs of the dentist and pain control seems to be important aspects in young adults' evaluation of dental care.