The dentist-patient relationship.

A report of the progress of research in the area of the dentist-patient relationship since Linn's review in 1971 is presented. It discusses several models of the doctor-patient relationship, dentists' perceptions of patients and their influence on treatment outcome, patients' perceptions of the dentist and satisfaction of both the dentist and the patient with the dentist-patient relationship. Most of the emphases in research noted by Linn--largely in patient management strategies--continue to be emphasized today. It was observed that both patients and dentists express a high degree of satisfaction with the dentist-patient relationship. Because of this, it was hypothesized that dentists and patients select each other. Data from studies supporting this hypothesis are presented. Implications for increasing access to underserved groups were also discussed. Many areas continue to require good research and almost all require cross-national research.