Baltic Dental and Maxillofacial Journal
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September, 2008, Vol. 10, No. 3

CONTENTS

SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES

Who is thought to be a "reliable dentist"? – Lithuanian dentists' opinion
Alina Puriene, Irena Balciuniene, Povilas Drobnys
83-88

REVIEWS
Risk factors of root resorption after orthodontic treatment
Kristina Lopatiene, Aiste Dumbravaite
89-95

SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES
Influence of laser-welding and electroerosion on passive fit of implant-supported prosthesis
Tatiana Bernardon Silva, Mauro Antonio De Arruda Nobilo, Guilherme Elias Pessanha Henriques, Marcelo Ferraz Mesquita, Magali Beck Guimaraes
96-100

Do socio-economic disparities in dental treatment needs exist in Lithuanian adolescents?
Jolanta Aleksejuniene, Vilma Brukiene
101-106

The orthodontic treatment in Lithuania: Accessibility survey
Vilija Janulyte, Alina Puriene, Laura Linkeviciene, Gailute Grigaite, Jelena Kutkauskiene
107-112

© 2008 Stomatologija

Stomatologija 2008; 10 (3): 83-88 286 KB

Who is thought to be a "reliable dentist"? –
Lithuanian dentists' opinion

Alina Puriene, Irena Balciuniene, Povilas Drobnys

Summary

The aim. To find out which attributes, according to Lithuanian dentists, are the most important for a “reliable dentist”.

Materials and methods. All the 140 participants of republican dentists’ conference were given a questionnaire. The response rate was 64,3%. The answers about the importance of dentist’s attributes were presented on a 5-point Likert scale. The statistical data analysis, using the χ2 criterion was carried out.

Results. The importance of behaviour during painful and unpleasant procedures, painless treatment and ability to control stressful situations was emphasized by 87%, 83% and 76% of respondents. To add, qualification, communication skills, ability to answer patient’s questions clearly, respecting patient’s confidentiality were accentuated as well by 78%, 82%, 84% and 74% of dentists. Although, gender was not an essential quality for 78% of respondents, 62% of them reported that dentist’s age was very important. Those, who are over 30, emphasized the value of erudition (χ2=0.464; p<0.01), punctuality (χ2=25.467; p=0.001), specialization (χ2=15.808; p<0.05), low treatment cost (χ2=17.393; p<0.05) more significantly than their younger colleagues. No need to wait for a dentist’s appointment was appreciated more by respondents, whose work experience is over 30 years (χ2=20.601; p<0.05).

Conclusions. Most Lithuanian dentists emphasized the importance of pain management, painless treatment, behaviour during painful and unpleasant procedures, communication skills and ability to answer patient‘s questions clearly, which are vital for a „reliable dentist“.

Key words: Lithuanian dentists, reliability attributes.

Received: 30 06 2008

Accepted for publishing: 19 09 2008


*Institute of Odontology, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania

Alina Puriene* – DDS, PhD, assoc. professor

Irena Balciuniene* – DDS

Gailute Grigaite* – DDS

Address correspondence to Dr. Alina Puriene, Zalgiris Clinic Vilnius University Hospital, Zalgirio 117, LT-08217 Vilnius, Lithuania.

E-mail address: alina.puriene@gmail.com