INFLUENCE OF DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES ON PRE-TREATMENT EXPECTATIONS OF PROSTHODONTIC PATIENTS AT A PRIVATE TERTIARY CARE DENTAL FACILITY IN ISLAMABAD

Abstract

This cross-sectional survey was carried out on 100 patients reporting for treatment in the Department of Prosthodontics at a private tertiary care dental facility. The sample included 50 completely edentulous and 50 partially edentulous patients. Data were collected on a self-designed close-ended questionnaire that comprised of eight relevant questions. All questions were so designed that the best answer was a No to every statement. A numeric calculation was done afterwards to derive the final score of the patient, ranging from minimum of 8 to maximum of 16. On the basis of this final score, five expectation categories were devised i.e. very low expectations (score of 8-9); Relatively low expectations (score of 10-11); Moderate expectations (score of 12); Relatively high expectations (score of 13-14); and Very high expectations (score of 15-16). The results indicated that none of the patients were placed in the very low and relatively low expectation categories. There were 49% patients in relatively high category, 37% in very high and only 14% in moderate expectation categories. Statistical analysis of expectation categories was not significant in relation to the demographic variables studied i.e. age, gender, literacy level and type of prostheses.