Dental decisional control preferences and associations with quality of life among third molar patients attending South Australia Dental Services

Abstract

CONTEXT AND AIMS A little is known about dental decisional control preferences (DDCP) among third molar (TM) patients attending South Australia Dental Services (SADS) and associations with quality of life (QoL). Aims: (1) Exploring DDCP prevalence among SADS TM patients and individual’s characteristics associated with DDCP; and (2) Exploring the association between DDCP and QoL. METHODS Participants were SADS patients with internet access referred by their community dentists to Adelaide Dental Hospital for TM consultation. Data included: socio-demographics, the Control Preferences Scale (CPs) and Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). FINDINGS 161 participants were included, mainly female (n=118, 73.3%), age mean=26 years (SD=7.6), with “secondary school or less” education (n=91, 56.5%) and having a low-income. Active DDCP was prevalent (n=70, 43.5%), while n=61 (37.9%) preferred to be collaborative and n=30 (18.6%) preferred to be passive. Gender was significantly associated with DDCP (Chi-sq=8.5, P=.014). In a multinomial logistic regression model for DDCP, females were more likely to have active DDCP (OR=3.8, P=.008). In a linear regression model for OHIP-14, active DDCP was significantly associated with less impact on oral health-related QoL (B=-6.51, P=.046). INNOVATIVE CONTRIBUTION TO POLICY, PRACTICE AND/OR RESEARCH Adult public patients preferred to be involved (either actively or collaboratively) in their dental treatment decision-making. Understanding that female patients prefer high involvement might make dentists more sensitive to their DDCP. The positive association between active DDCP and QoL suggests the need to enhance patients’ involvement in decision-making.