Post‐treatment patient‐reported outcome measures in a group of Thai dental implant patients.

Objective: The aims of this study were to evaluate and analyze the factors affecting patients' perceptions and satisfaction after receiving implant treatment. Material and methods: Questionnaires were mailed to 691 patients who had completed implant treatment for at least 6 months. The questionnaire consisted of 23 items, including demographic data, seven items on perceptions, and nine items on satisfaction. Results: Of the returned 382 questionnaires, 188 and 194 were from patients treated by postgraduate students and specialists, respectively. Dentists were the most common main source of implant information (55.8%). Although 90% of the patients felt that they were well informed about implant treatment, some inaccurate perceptions remained: 18% believed that "Dental implants require less care than natural teeth," 35.6% that "Dental implants last longer than natural teeth," and 75% that "Treatment with dental implants has no risks or complications." Approximately 90% of the patients were satisfied with their chewing, phonetics, aesthetic outcome, and dental implant treatment; however, some were dissatisfied with the cost. Although gender, age, educational level, main source of information, implant number, and implant position had some impact on patients' perceptions and satisfaction; monthly income did not. The clinicians' expertise affected patients' perceptions, but not satisfaction. Conclusions: Although most patients had accurate perceptions with regards to implant treatment, some misperceptions about the need for a maintenance care still exist after treatment. Most patients were satisfied with their treatment outcome regardless of monthly income and the clinicians' expertise level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]