Orthodontist dressing: Its impact on patient perception and cooperation

Background and Aim: Communication skills, including non-verbal cues such as attire, play a significant role in patient perceptions of healthcare professionals. An orthodontist’s attire may influence patient cooperation during treatment. This study aims to investigate Nigerian orthodontic patients' perception regarding their orthodontists' dressing and its impact on patient cooperation. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among orthodontic patients at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. A structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire with 34 items was used to gather data from 131 participants. The questionnaire covered socio-demographic characteristics, understanding of the orthodontist's role, and preferences for the orthodontist's attire. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 26, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: The study included 131 patients (82 females and 49 males), with a mean age of 19.2 ± 9.43 years. Most participants (88.6%) liked how their orthodontists dressed, with 50.4% stating that their orthodontists wore traditional white coats and 42.7% indicating that their orthodontists wore scrubs. When asked about the significance of the orthodontist's dressing, 46.6% indicated that it mattered to them, while the majority stated that it did not affect their cooperation or review appointments. Conclusion: The study reveals that while orthodontic patients have preferences for their orthodontists’ appearance, it does not significantly affect their cooperation or review attendance. These findings suggest that while maintaining a professional appearance is important, it may not be a determining factor in patient compliance.