Last update:
26-Feb-2019

OBJECTIVE To explore user satisfaction with the public dental services in Cyprus and the factors affecting their satisfaction.

METHOD A cross-sectional study was conducted in March to June 2016 in public hospitals and health centers in Cyprus, using a self-reported questionnaire. The study population was a convenience sample of 414 users of the dental services, with a response rate of 92% (414/450). The questionnaire included: (a) The demographic characteristics of the users, (b) their use of public dental services, and (c) their satisfaction with regards to access/organization, personnel and quality of work.

RESULTS Most users visited the dentist for relief of pain (30.9%), continuity of treatment (17.5%) and prevention (12.5%). Most respondents had used the public dental services in Cyprus previously (78.7%), and almost all stated that they will use them again (97.0%), and recommend them to their family/friends (95.0%). The mean satisfaction score on all the scales was very high. Male users who attended the public dental services in Nicosia and users who attended the rural health centers recorded higher satisfaction scores on the access/ organization scale. Users who attended the public dental services in Limassol recorded the lowest satisfaction scores on the personnel and quality of work scales and on the total satisfaction scale, while those who attended the public dental services in Pafos recorded the highest satisfaction scores. Finally, users of the rural health centers recorded the highest total satisfaction scores.

CONCLUSIONS User satisfaction with the public dental services in Cyprus is very high, with the lowest level of satisfaction being with access/organization and the highest being with the personnel.

Key words: Cyprus, Public dental services, Satisfaction.Anxiety, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Depression, Mental health, Therapeutics.