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Characteristics and satisfaction of the patients of male versus female dentists.

With rising numbers of women entering dental practice, and relatively little known about these practices, this study seeks to characterize the practices of female dentists. Characteristics and satisfaction differences of patients between male and female practitioners were examined. A matched-pair design of 13 men and 13 women in general private practice in Connecticut was conducted. Questionnaires, designed to evaluate satisfaction and patient sociodemographics, were distributed to 25 patients from each practice. Patients were similar to utilizers as described by the US National Health Interview Survey, and scored slightly higher on the Dental Satisfaction Questionnaire than a national sample. Few differences were found between the patients of male and female dentists, but significant differences were found in patient incomes, satisfaction with cost, and satisfaction with access, with the patients of women giving more favorable satisfaction ratings on cost and access. These findings are encouraging to women entering private practice as they are perceived by patients to deliver care equal in quality to their male counterparts.