Quality and patient satisfaction in public oral health centers: the case of Manisa Oral Health Centers

Considering the current status of health services in Turkey, which are provided by both public and private enterprises, with regard to the changing and developing patient expectations, special characteristics of health services, and the fierce competition in the health industry, it is necessary that the service processes focusing on patient satisfaction and the quality measures be conducted with a professional approach. In light of this fact, this study aims to examine the relationship between service quality and patient satisfaction in oral and dental health services, which comprises an important field in the general domain of healthcare services. With the aim of determining the quality of healthcare services and the factors determining patient satisfaction in Public Oral and Dental Health Centers, this study examines the level of satisfaction and affecting factors among 250 patients that visited the Oral and Dental Health Center in Manisa through one-on-one questionnaires. According to the results, contrary to the old common belief, it is possible to provide high-quality service in public institutions through proper planning and management of healthcare processes and therefore to attain the desired level of patient satisfaction, too.