Self-perceived and actual oral treatment needs of first-time patients in the University of the Philippines College of Dentistry Clinics in AY 2018-2019 - Delfin, Maria Kamille D.; Lacsamana, Erin Rejoice V.; Lazaro, Renee Therese B.; Tamayo, Alyssa S.; Alfaro, Cecilia A.
INTRODUCTION: Several first-time patients at the University of the Philippines College of Dentistry (UPCD) clinics come with an expected treatment in mind for their chief complaint, which may be different from the actual treatment need. Any significant discrepancy between the two may lead to the delay of their pursuance of treatment, resulting to the worsening of their condition and contribute to the increase in unmet dental needs. This study aims to determine the disparity between perceived and actual treatment needs of first-time patients in UPCD.
METHODS: A quantitative cross-sectional analytical research design and total enumeration sampling technique were used in the study. The five-week data collection (September 6 to October 11, 2018) determined the UPCD clinics? first-time patients? self-perceived treatment needs through a Survey Questionnaire. The actual treatment need was identified through an Oral Treatment Needs Checklist completed by the attending clinician after an oral examination. The disparity between the two were determined by comparing the data obtained from the questionnaire and checklist.
RESULTS: A total of 162 first-time patients participated in the study. There was a 62% congruity and a 38% disparity between the perceived and actual treatment needs of the first-time patients. The top three treatments commonly perceived by the patients to address their chief complaints were extraction, restoration, and scaling and polishing. The top three treatments most needed by the patients were restoration, scaling and polishing, and dentures.
CONCLUSION: The results of the study show that a higher percentage (62%) of the first time patients were able to identify the appropriate treatment needed for their chief complaint, as reflected by the congruity between their perceived and actual treatment needs, as well as overestimation and underestimation of certain treatments.
Thesis (Doctor of Dental Medicine)--University of the Philippines Manila.
Keywords: Mouth--Diseases--Diagnosis.