Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction is an important factor in the success and quality assurance of healthcare facilities, including dental educational hospitals. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess patient satisfaction with dental services provided by dental interns at Thumbay Dental Training Hospital (TDTH), Ajman. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 251 participants were randomly selected. A questionnaire was used to measure patient satisfaction with clinical dental services performed by dental interns. Patients were asked about their experiences with dental treatments, preoperative and postoperative pain, and their satisfaction with both the dental intern and the provided treatment. Descriptive statistical analysis and the Chi-square test were used to analyze data. The level of significance was set at p<0.05 with a 95% CI. RESULTS: Patients treated by dental interns at TDTH were significantly satisfied (99.2%) with the dental treatment they received (p<0.001). The most frequently performed dental treatment that was provided by the interns was composite restorations (82/295; 27.8%), followed by endodontic treatment (63/295; 21.4%), and (60/295; 20%) dental extractions. Patients seeking pain relief were significantly more satisfied (66.1%) than those who came for routine care (33.9%) (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that the quality of care provided by dental interns exceeds patient expectations, particularly among those seeking pain relief.