Evaluation of the Dental Referral Process from the Patients Perspective

Objective: This study aimed to discover patients' perspectives on the factors that influence the referral process by using structural equation modeling (SEM) and testing the determinants of the referral process. Materials and Methods: This observational study was consisted of 1.300 patients and finally total of 968 participants completed the questionnaire. A self-reported questionnaire consisting of ten items was used. It comprised questions about demographic variables, medical and dental histories, frequency of dental visits, and personal attitudes toward the referral process. In the present study, SEM models consisted of path analysis, multiple regression, and multivariate regression analysis with continuous type data. Results: The model showed that number of decayed teeth and number of missing teeth had a directly predictive effect on referral process. Gender, age, education and income level, habitation, and dental visit frequency had indirectly predictive effects on the referral process. Conclusion: Pain related with number of missing teeth and functional limitation related with number of missing teeth had directly predictive effect on the referral process from the patients' perspective