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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



	Baltic Dental and Maxillofacial Journal

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