Evaluation of Patients’ Preferences for Dentists’ Clinic Attire: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose: To evaluate the preferences of pediatric, adolescent, and young adult patients regarding dentists’ clothing. Materials and Methods: Five hundred and forty patients admitted to the Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry Departments of XXX University Faculty of Dentistry who wanted to participate in the study were randomly selected. The patients were grouped as children (7-11 years; n=180; group 1), adolescents (12-17 years; n=180; group 2), and young adults (18-25 years; n=180; group 3). Patients were shown a template consisting of eight different types of clothing and their preferences were recorded. Uniforms with different colors between uniform no. 3-8 were classified as a single preference under the name of ‘colored uniform’ to determine general preferences and were evaluated separately under the title of general preferences. Results: The white coat was the most preferred clothing among eight preferences by the participants (23.5%). Uniform number 3, uniform number 5, and white coat were the most preferred clothing in Group 1 (26.1%), Group 2 (22.8%), and Group 3 (55%), respectively. The general preference among the 3 groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001). In general preferences, colored uniforms were preferred the most (68.1%), and civilian clothing was preferred the least (8.3%). Colored uniforms were preferred mostly in Groups 1 and 2 (92.2% and 79.4%, respectively), and a white coat was the most common preference in Group 3 (55%). Conclusions: Dentists’ wearing the attire most preferred by patients of different ages can significantly increase patient satisfaction and patients' perceptions of the care they receive.