Do Modern Dental Care Systems Meet Patients' Expectations - Selected Organizational Aspects of The Dental Care Sector in Poland On the Example of a Research Group of Dental Offices
Abstract
Joanna Kobza, DDS, M.A., PhD
Introduction: Numerous studies of the oral health of Poles, indicate that dental care in Poland is very ineffective and requires significant organizational and financial changes.
Objectives: The main aim of the study was to analyze the performance of the dental care sector in Poland based on a study conducted among a group of dentists running dental
Material and Methods: The cross-sectional study covered 610 dental offices selected randomly. The study was carried out using the face-to-face interview technique, based on an original questionnaire. Statistical analyzes were carried out using the Shapiro-Wilk test. χ2 test, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Cramer's V coefficient, and Cochran-Armitage trend test. Statistical analyzes were performed in SAS 9.4. There was also a review of scientific literature and statistical data; national and international documents.
Results: The human resources of dentists in Poland are high, dentists are a highly feminized professional group, the average age is 46, the dominant form of conducting medical activity is individual medical practice, the majority of entities do not employ either a dental assistant or a hygienist. Dental offices are very well equipped, the latest technologies are used in the therapeutic process, doctors systematically improve their professional skills and willingly implement quality standards but the majority of respondents do not subscribe professional magazines and only 30% know what the term evidence-based dentistry means, dentists in majority are satisfied with their jobs.
Conclusions: The research provided many negative and positive aspects of the functioning of the dental care sector in Poland.