Abstract
Aim: To investigate patients’ satisfaction with the Oral Medicine clinical service provided at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago.
Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study consisting of a 29-item questionnaire distributed to 98 patients. The patients were asked to complete the survey and write any additional comments they would like to add about the service provided.
Results: The study involved patients aged 16 to 90, predominantly of New Zealand European descent (85%), with other ethnicities including Māori (5%), Asian (3%), and others (7%). Overall, participants expressed high satisfaction with the Oral Medicine clinic, particularly praising its cleanliness and the professionalism of staff. However, parking availability was a concern for over half of the participants. While most found rescheduling appointments easy, some reported longer waiting times. Nonetheless, satisfaction with staff communication and examination thoroughness was high, with most participants comfortable with the presence of dental students. Feedback on information provided about their conditions was generally positive, though some participants had not yet received their diagnosis. The comments from participants were overwhelmingly positive, reflecting gratitude and satisfaction with the service provided.
Conclusion: Overall, patients expressed general satisfaction with the services provided by the Oral Medicine clinic at the University of Otago. However, some aspects of the service could benefit from future improvements.