Research Article
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Year 2025, Volume: 52 Issue: 1, 41 - 44, 30.04.2025
https://doi.org/10.52037/eads.2025.0006

Abstract

References

  • de Souza-Constantino AM, Conti ACdCF, Capelloza Filho L, Marta SN, de Almeida-Pedrin RR. Patients’ pref- erences regarding age, sex, and attire of orthodontists. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2018;154(6):829–834. e1. doi:10.1016/j.ajodo.2018.02.013.
  • 2. Brosky ME, Keefer OA, Hodges JS, Pesun IJ, Cook G. Patient perceptions of professionalism in dentistry. J Dent Educ. 2003;67(8):909–915. doi:10.1002/j.0022- 0337.2003.67.8.tb03678.x.
  • 3. Cha A, Hecht BR, Nelson K, Hopkins MP. Resident physician attire: does it make a difference to our patients? Am J Obstet Gy- necol. 2004;190(5):1484–1488. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2004.02.022.
  • 4. Alsarheed M. Children’s perception of their dentists. Eur J Dent. 2011;5(02):186–190.
  • 5. Budny AM, Rogers LC, Mandracchia VJ, Lascher S. The physi- cian’s attire and its influence on patient confidence. J Am Podi- atr Med Assoc. 2006;96(2):132–138. doi:10.7547/0960132.
  • 6. Kelly GR, Shroff B, Best AM, Tufekci E, Lindauer SJ. Parents’ preferences regarding appearance and attire of orthodontists. Angle Orthod. 2014;84(3):404–409. doi:10.2319/071113-510.1.
  • 7. Brandt LJ. On the value of an old dress code in the new millennium. Arch Intern Med. 2003;163(11):1277–1281. doi:10.1001/archinte.163.11.1277.
  • 8. Bianchi MT. Desiderata or dogma: what the evidence reveals about physician attire. J Gen Intern Med. 2008;23:641–643. doi:10.1007/s11606-008-0546-8.
  • 9. Chung H, Lee H, Chang DS, Kim HS, Lee H, Park HJ, et al. Doctor’s attire influences perceived empathy in the pa- tient–doctor relationship. Patient Educ Couns. 2012;89(3):387– 391. doi:10.1016/j.pec.2012.02.017.
  • 10. Gjerdingen D, Thorpe W, List-Holt P. The physician’s appear- ance and professionalism. Resid Staff Physician. 1990;36(1):65– 6, 71.
  • 11. Aitken SA, Tinning CG, Gupta S, Medlock G, Wood AM, Aitken MA. The importance of the orthopaedic doctors’ appear- ance: a cross-regional questionnaire based study. the surgeon. 2014;12(1):40–46. doi:10.1016/j.surge.2013.07.002.
  • 12. Kanzler MH, Gorsulowsky DC. Patients’ attitudes regard- ing physical characteristics of medical care providers in der- matologic practices. Arch Dermatol. 2002;138(4):463–466. doi:10.1001/archderm.138.4.463.
  • 13. Keenum AJ, Wallace LS, Stevens ARB. Patients’ atti- tudes regarding physical characteristics of family prac- tice physicians. South Med J. 2003;96(12):1190–1195. doi:10.1097/01.SMJ.0000077011.58103.C1.
  • 14. Kuscu O, Caglar E, Kayabasoglu N, Sandalli N. Preferences of dentist’s attire in a group of Istanbul school children related with dental anxiety. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2009;10:38–41. doi:10.1007/BF03262666.
  • 15. Lill MM, Wilkinson TJ. Judging a book by its cover: de- scriptive survey of patients’ preferences for doctors’ appear- ance and mode of address. Bmj. 2005;331(7531):1524–1527. doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7531.1524.
  • 16. Major K, Hayase Y, Balderrama D, Lefor AT. Attitudes re- garding surgeons’ attire. Am J Surg. 2005;190(1):103–106. doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2005.04.003.
  • 17. McKenna G, Lillywhite G, Maini N. Patient preferences for den- tal clinical attire: a cross-sectional survey in a dental hospital. Br Dent J. 2007;203(12):681–685. doi:10.1038/bdj.2007.1109.
  • 18. Ahmad MS, Alruwaili AAM, Alruwaili KHA, Alanazi AKM, Alar- jan LMM, Alanazi AMM, et al. Evaluation of Child Preference for Dentist Attire and Usage of a Camouflage Syringe in Reduction of Anxiety. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2024;16(Suppl 1):S757–S760. doi:10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_997_23.
  • 19. Kastelic DR, Volpato LE, de Campos Neves AT, Aranha AM, Martins CC. Do children and adolescents prefer pediatric at- tire over white attire during dental appointments? A meta- analysis of prevalence data. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2021;14(1):14. doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1861.
  • 20. Arslan I, Aydinoglu S. Child and parent preferences for the appearance of dentists with respect to personal protec- tive equipment in paediatric dentistry. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2022;32(5):702–713. doi:10.1111/ipd.12949.
  • 21. Mohebbi SZ, Razeghi S, Mizanian F, Kharazifard MJ. Perspec- tives and Preferences of Preschoolers and Their Parents Re- garding Dentist’s Attire and Gender. Front Dent. 2022;19:4. doi:10.18502/fid.v19i4.8512.
  • 22. Sujatha P, Nara A, Avanti A, Shetty P, Anandakrishna L, Patil K. Child Dental Patient’s Anxiety and Preference for Den- tist’s Attire: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2021;14(Suppl 2):S107. doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1940.
  • 23. Oliveira LB, Massignan C, De Carvalho RM, Savi MG, Bolan M, Porporatti AL, et al. Children’s perceptions of dentist’s attire and environment: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2020;13(6):700. doi:10.5005/jp-journals- 10005-1839.
  • 24. Kamata K, Kuriyama A, Chopra V, Saint S, Houchens N, Petrilli CM, et al. Patient preferences for physician attire: a mul- ticenter study in Japan. J Hosp Med. 2020;15(4):204–210. doi:10.12788/jhm.3350.
  • 25. Yamada Y, Takahashi O, Ohde S, Deshpande GA, Fukui T. Pa- tients’ preferences for doctors’ attire in Japan. Intern Med. 2010;49(15):1521–1526. doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.49.3572.

Evaluation of Patients’ Preferences for Dentists’ Clinic Attire: A Cross-Sectional Study

Year 2025, Volume: 52 Issue: 1, 41 - 44, 30.04.2025
https://doi.org/10.52037/eads.2025.0006

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the preferences of pediatric, adolescent, and young adult patients regarding dentists’ clothing.
Materials and Methods: Five hundred and forty patients admitted to the Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry Departments of XXX University Faculty of Dentistry who wanted to participate in the study were randomly selected. The patients were grouped as children (7-11 years; n=180; group 1), adolescents (12-17 years; n=180; group 2), and young adults (18-25 years; n=180; group 3). Patients were shown a template consisting of eight different types of clothing and their preferences were recorded. Uniforms with different colors between uniform no. 3-8 were classified as a single preference under the name of ‘colored uniform’ to determine general preferences and were evaluated separately under the title of general preferences.
Results: The white coat was the most preferred clothing among eight preferences by the participants (23.5%). Uniform number 3, uniform number 5, and white coat were the most preferred clothing in Group 1 (26.1%), Group 2 (22.8%), and Group 3 (55%), respectively. The general preference among the 3 groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001). In general preferences, colored uniforms were preferred the most (68.1%), and civilian clothing was preferred the least (8.3%). Colored uniforms were preferred mostly in Groups 1 and 2 (92.2% and 79.4%, respectively), and a white coat was the most common preference in Group 3 (55%).
Conclusions: Dentists’ wearing the attire most preferred by patients of different ages can significantly increase patient satisfaction and patients' perceptions of the care they receive.
Keywords: Dentist; clinic clothing; patient preference

References

  • de Souza-Constantino AM, Conti ACdCF, Capelloza Filho L, Marta SN, de Almeida-Pedrin RR. Patients’ pref- erences regarding age, sex, and attire of orthodontists. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2018;154(6):829–834. e1. doi:10.1016/j.ajodo.2018.02.013.
  • 2. Brosky ME, Keefer OA, Hodges JS, Pesun IJ, Cook G. Patient perceptions of professionalism in dentistry. J Dent Educ. 2003;67(8):909–915. doi:10.1002/j.0022- 0337.2003.67.8.tb03678.x.
  • 3. Cha A, Hecht BR, Nelson K, Hopkins MP. Resident physician attire: does it make a difference to our patients? Am J Obstet Gy- necol. 2004;190(5):1484–1488. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2004.02.022.
  • 4. Alsarheed M. Children’s perception of their dentists. Eur J Dent. 2011;5(02):186–190.
  • 5. Budny AM, Rogers LC, Mandracchia VJ, Lascher S. The physi- cian’s attire and its influence on patient confidence. J Am Podi- atr Med Assoc. 2006;96(2):132–138. doi:10.7547/0960132.
  • 6. Kelly GR, Shroff B, Best AM, Tufekci E, Lindauer SJ. Parents’ preferences regarding appearance and attire of orthodontists. Angle Orthod. 2014;84(3):404–409. doi:10.2319/071113-510.1.
  • 7. Brandt LJ. On the value of an old dress code in the new millennium. Arch Intern Med. 2003;163(11):1277–1281. doi:10.1001/archinte.163.11.1277.
  • 8. Bianchi MT. Desiderata or dogma: what the evidence reveals about physician attire. J Gen Intern Med. 2008;23:641–643. doi:10.1007/s11606-008-0546-8.
  • 9. Chung H, Lee H, Chang DS, Kim HS, Lee H, Park HJ, et al. Doctor’s attire influences perceived empathy in the pa- tient–doctor relationship. Patient Educ Couns. 2012;89(3):387– 391. doi:10.1016/j.pec.2012.02.017.
  • 10. Gjerdingen D, Thorpe W, List-Holt P. The physician’s appear- ance and professionalism. Resid Staff Physician. 1990;36(1):65– 6, 71.
  • 11. Aitken SA, Tinning CG, Gupta S, Medlock G, Wood AM, Aitken MA. The importance of the orthopaedic doctors’ appear- ance: a cross-regional questionnaire based study. the surgeon. 2014;12(1):40–46. doi:10.1016/j.surge.2013.07.002.
  • 12. Kanzler MH, Gorsulowsky DC. Patients’ attitudes regard- ing physical characteristics of medical care providers in der- matologic practices. Arch Dermatol. 2002;138(4):463–466. doi:10.1001/archderm.138.4.463.
  • 13. Keenum AJ, Wallace LS, Stevens ARB. Patients’ atti- tudes regarding physical characteristics of family prac- tice physicians. South Med J. 2003;96(12):1190–1195. doi:10.1097/01.SMJ.0000077011.58103.C1.
  • 14. Kuscu O, Caglar E, Kayabasoglu N, Sandalli N. Preferences of dentist’s attire in a group of Istanbul school children related with dental anxiety. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2009;10:38–41. doi:10.1007/BF03262666.
  • 15. Lill MM, Wilkinson TJ. Judging a book by its cover: de- scriptive survey of patients’ preferences for doctors’ appear- ance and mode of address. Bmj. 2005;331(7531):1524–1527. doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7531.1524.
  • 16. Major K, Hayase Y, Balderrama D, Lefor AT. Attitudes re- garding surgeons’ attire. Am J Surg. 2005;190(1):103–106. doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2005.04.003.
  • 17. McKenna G, Lillywhite G, Maini N. Patient preferences for den- tal clinical attire: a cross-sectional survey in a dental hospital. Br Dent J. 2007;203(12):681–685. doi:10.1038/bdj.2007.1109.
  • 18. Ahmad MS, Alruwaili AAM, Alruwaili KHA, Alanazi AKM, Alar- jan LMM, Alanazi AMM, et al. Evaluation of Child Preference for Dentist Attire and Usage of a Camouflage Syringe in Reduction of Anxiety. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2024;16(Suppl 1):S757–S760. doi:10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_997_23.
  • 19. Kastelic DR, Volpato LE, de Campos Neves AT, Aranha AM, Martins CC. Do children and adolescents prefer pediatric at- tire over white attire during dental appointments? A meta- analysis of prevalence data. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2021;14(1):14. doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1861.
  • 20. Arslan I, Aydinoglu S. Child and parent preferences for the appearance of dentists with respect to personal protec- tive equipment in paediatric dentistry. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2022;32(5):702–713. doi:10.1111/ipd.12949.
  • 21. Mohebbi SZ, Razeghi S, Mizanian F, Kharazifard MJ. Perspec- tives and Preferences of Preschoolers and Their Parents Re- garding Dentist’s Attire and Gender. Front Dent. 2022;19:4. doi:10.18502/fid.v19i4.8512.
  • 22. Sujatha P, Nara A, Avanti A, Shetty P, Anandakrishna L, Patil K. Child Dental Patient’s Anxiety and Preference for Den- tist’s Attire: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2021;14(Suppl 2):S107. doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1940.
  • 23. Oliveira LB, Massignan C, De Carvalho RM, Savi MG, Bolan M, Porporatti AL, et al. Children’s perceptions of dentist’s attire and environment: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2020;13(6):700. doi:10.5005/jp-journals- 10005-1839.
  • 24. Kamata K, Kuriyama A, Chopra V, Saint S, Houchens N, Petrilli CM, et al. Patient preferences for physician attire: a mul- ticenter study in Japan. J Hosp Med. 2020;15(4):204–210. doi:10.12788/jhm.3350.
  • 25. Yamada Y, Takahashi O, Ohde S, Deshpande GA, Fukui T. Pa- tients’ preferences for doctors’ attire in Japan. Intern Med. 2010;49(15):1521–1526. doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.49.3572.
There are 25 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Paedodontics
Journal Section Original Research Articles
Authors

Yasin Akbulut 0000-0002-3828-2483

Semih Ercan Akgün 0000-0001-7266-8593

Early Pub Date April 30, 2025
Publication Date April 30, 2025
Submission Date January 6, 2025
Acceptance Date February 27, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 52 Issue: 1

Cite

Vancouver Akbulut Y, Akgün SE. Evaluation of Patients’ Preferences for Dentists’ Clinic Attire: A Cross-Sectional Study. EADS. 2025;52(1):41-4.