Comparison of patient centeredness of visits to emergency departments, physicians, and dentists for dental problems and injuries.

Background: Patient-centered care has a positive impact on patient health status. This report compares patient assessments of patient centeredness during treatment in hospital emergency departments (EDs) and physician and dentist offices for dental problems and injuries.

Research Design: Participants included low-income White, Black, and Hispanic adults who had experienced a dental problem or injury during the previous 12 months and who visited an emergency department, physician, or dentist for treatment. A stratified random sample of Maryland households participated in a cross-sectional telephone survey. Interviews were completed with 94.8% (401/423) of eligible individuals. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results: The measure of predictive power, the pseudo-R2s, calculated for the logistic regression models ranged from 12% to 18% for the analyses of responses to the measures of patient centeredness (satisfaction with treatment, careful listening, thorough explaining, spending enough time, and treated with courtesy and respect). EDs were less likely than dentists to treat patients with great courtesy and respect.

Conclusions: Further research is needed to identify factors that support patient-centered care.