Patient Satisfaction with Dental Services in a Tertiary Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Patient satisfaction serves as a crucial gauge of healthcare quality and influences both adherence to treatment and the overall use of services. Within Saudi Arabia, the bulk of research on satisfaction with dental services has concentrated on academic institutions and primary-care settings, leaving a dearth of evidence from tertiary-care hospitals.

Objective: This investigation aimed to evaluate patient satisfaction with dental services offered at a tertiary hospital in Riyadh and to identify demographic and service-related factors that shape this satisfaction.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was executed involving 312 adult patients who underwent dental treatment between January and March 2025. Participants completed a validated, self-administered questionnaire that covered eight satisfaction domains, scored on a five-point Likert scale. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and ANOVA.

Results: Respondents recorded high satisfaction with professionalism (mean = 4.6), technical quality (4.5), and cleanliness (4.5). Lower scores were assigned to waiting times (3.4) and administrative efficiency (3.6). Satisfaction levels were significantly linked to age group (p = 0.032), educational attainment (p = 0.045), and the specific service received (p = 0.018), while gender showed no significant effect (p = 0.210).

Conclusion: Patients at this tertiary hospital reported strong satisfaction with both the clinical and interpersonal components of care, although operational shortcomings were noted. Targeted initiatives aimed at shortening waiting periods and streamlining administrative tasks could further refine the overall patient experience.