Patient Preferences for Oral Surgeons’ Attire and Appearance in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: Information about the perspective of dental patients regarding the clinical attire and the presentation of oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMFSs) is lacking in Saudi Arabia. Investigating the diversity of elements that influence patients' opinions to improve the services and care that their surgeons deliver and to meet patients' needs has been a topic that is debated across the medical field. This study's objectives are to assess patients' overall satisfaction and trust in their OMFSs and identify areas for improvement. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey was piloted among adult patients who visited the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Riyadh Elm University Dental Hospital in Riyadh City between August 2021 and July 2022. Data on patient preferences for the surgeons' gender, educational background, experience, appearance, notoriety and social media activity was gathered. Results: A total of 503 participants were evaluated for the current study. The age of the study participants showed significant differences in preferences toward the selection of OMFS based on gender (p<0.05). The marital status of the subjects showed statistically significant differences in preferences in the selection of OMFS based on gender and age, reputation on social media of OMFS and selection of the OMFS after internet research (p<0.05). Key findings indicated that 69.4% of patients preferred surgeons in official attire and 67.2% were influenced by social media presence (p<0.05). Conclusions: This cross-sectional survey demonstrated how patients' expectations and preferences when selecting their OMFSs are influenced by age, education, marital status and gender. These insights highlight the importance of professional appearance and digital reputation in patient selection. Future research should explore strategies for enhancing OMFS-patient trust through attire standards and digital engagement.