Dental Care Satisfaction: the Reliability and Validity of the DSQ in a Low-income Population

Objectives: Studies examining satisfaction with dental health care among the poor are quite rare. This study was done to confirm the internal structure and reliability of the Dental Satisfaction Questionnaire (DSQ), a measure of dental care satisfaction, among a low-income population, and provide normative data regarding dental satisfaction among low-income people. Methods: Subjects were 895 mothers of school-aged children who were administered the DSQ as part of a larger study of dental utilization and dental fears in Seattle. Results: Factor analysis largely confirmed the factor structure of the DSQ. Results also suggested subjects in this sample were less satisfied with pain management than nonpoor people. Self-reported dental health and dental appearance were associated with satisfaction with pain management, quality of care, access to care, and overall satisfaction. Race/ethnicity, education level, marital status, nation of origin, and type of insurance predicted differences in satisfaction with pain management and access. Conclusions: Barriers to dental care and quality of care among low-income populations are discussed. Uses and research with the DSQ are suggested.