Parental Satisfaction With Pediatric Dental Care Provided by Undergraduate Students at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences.

BACKGROUND

Pediatric dental care emphasizes the holistic well-being of children, integrating physical, psychological, and social aspects of their health. Parental satisfaction serves as a valuable indicator of healthcare quality, influencing children's adherence to dental visits and long-term oral health outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess parental satisfaction with pediatric dental care provided by undergraduate dental students at the College of Dentistry (COD), King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

A validated, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 128 parents of children aged 12 years or younger who received dental treatment between January and May 2023. The questionnaire addressed demographic information, appointment details, and satisfaction using a five-point Likert scale.

RESULTS

A total of 128 parents or primary caregivers participated in the study. Most were mothers (62.5%) and aged between 35 and 44 years (57.8%). The majority (99.2%) reported that they were either satisfied with the pediatric dental care their child received. Overall satisfaction was significantly associated with waiting time (p = 0.002) and reason for visit (p = 0.042). No significant associations were found with parental age, education level, or student year.

CONCLUSION

Ongoing assessment of parental satisfaction can inform improvements in clinical education and patient care within undergraduate dental programs.