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What Counts for the Old and Oldest Old?—An Analysis of Patient Criteria for Choosing a Dentist—Part II: Personal Characteristics and Soft Skills

Author

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  • Ina Nitschke

    (Gerodontology Section, Department of Prosthodontics and Materials Science, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 12, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
    Clinic of General, Special Care and Geriatric Dentistry, Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, Plattenstrasse 11, CH-8032 Zurich, Switzerland
    Joint first authorship (equal contribution): I.N. and T.U. contributed equally to this paper.)

  • Thomas Ulbrich

    (Gerodontology Section, Department of Prosthodontics and Materials Science, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 12, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
    Joint first authorship (equal contribution): I.N. and T.U. contributed equally to this paper.)

  • Annett Schrock

    (Gerodontology Section, Department of Prosthodontics and Materials Science, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 12, 04103 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Werner Hopfenmüller

    (Institute of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany)

  • Julia Jockusch

    (Gerodontology Section, Department of Prosthodontics and Materials Science, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 12, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
    University Research Priority Program “Dynamics of Healthy Aging”, University of Zurich, CH-8050 Zurich, Switzerland)

Abstract

Soft skills include communication skills and personality traits that are important when choosing a dentist, but other factors within the dental office also seem to be important for patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate factors that are important to people in a dentist as well as characteristics of the ideal dentist and to evaluate possible age-, gender-, and residence of living specific differences. A telephone survey with participants aged 35 years or older (ag—age group: ag 1: 35–50 years, ag 2: 70–84 years, ag 3: >85 years) in three German cities was conducted. Data were analyzed with respect to gender and age. Most of the participants ( n = 298, 64.2%), regardless of their own gender, age, or place of residence did not care about the gender of the dentist. In general, the price of the treatment does not play a role in choosing the ideal dentist. Women differ significantly from men in their choice of dentist (ANOVA p < 0.001 (preference of non-smoker), ANOVA p < 0.001 (preference, that the dentist does not smell of smoke, importance of appearance (ANOVA p < 0.001) and psycho-social skills, etc.). As age increases, professional experience and psycho-social competencies are rated as important. With the increase in age, the mean value of the desired years of professional experience increases without significant differences between age groups. The importance of advanced training (ANOVA p < 0.001; Bonferoni correction: significant difference between ag 1 and ag 2 p < 0.001, and ag 1 and ag 3 p < 0.001) decreases with age. Especially for participants aged 70 to 84 years, a relationship of trust is important. Between the places of residence, statistical differences for almost all surveyed items were found (e.g., importance that the dentist speaks the patients’ native language ANOVA p < 0.001, Bonferoni correction: significant difference between Berlin and Leipzig, Berlin and Mainz, and Leipzig and Mainz (each p < 0.001), dentist has a specialization ANOVA p < 0.001, Bonferoni correction: significant difference between Berlin and Leipzig and Berlin and Mainz (each p < 0.001), etc.). Dentists should be trained to develop psycho-social skills to meet the special demands of the increasing older population.

Suggested Citation

  • Ina Nitschke & Thomas Ulbrich & Annett Schrock & Werner Hopfenmüller & Julia Jockusch, 2022. "What Counts for the Old and Oldest Old?—An Analysis of Patient Criteria for Choosing a Dentist—Part II: Personal Characteristics and Soft Skills," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-11, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:14:p:8621-:d:863469
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ina Nitschke & Sebastian Hahnel & Julia Jockusch, 2021. "Health-Related Social and Ethical Considerations towards the Utilization of Dental Medical Services by Seniors: Influencing and Protective Factors, Vulnerability, Resilience and Sense of Coherence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-16, February.
    2. Ina Nitschke & Richard von Chlingensperg & Annett Schrock & Werner Hopfenmüller & Julia Jockusch, 2022. "What Counts for the Old and Oldest Old?—An Analysis of Patient Criteria for Choosing a Dentist—Part I: Awareness and Selection Criteria, Infrastructure, and Dental Office Equipment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-15, July.
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