Patient Preferences for Dental Practitioner Attire: Insights from a Jordanian Study

Technical Summary: Patient Preferences for Dental Practitioner Attire: Insights from a Jordanian Study

Problem Statement
While the impact of healthcare professional attire on patient perception, trust, and confidence is well-documented in general medical settings, the preferred dress code for dental practitioners remains underexamined, particularly within culturally diverse environments. Existing literature presents mixed findings: some studies suggest patients associate traditional white coats with expertise and authority, while others indicate a growing preference for functional, hygienic attire like scrubs and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), especially post-pandemic. Furthermore, there is a significant gap in understanding how cultural norms, gender, and specific cultural markers (such as the headscarf) influence patient preferences in the Middle East. This study addresses the lack of evidence-based data regarding patient expectations for dental attire in Jordan.

Methodology
The study employed a descriptive, cross-sectional design approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the University of Jordan.

• Sample: The study included 409 adult participants (aged 18+) recruited from the University of Jordan Hospital and dental clinics. The sample was predominantly female (73.6%) and aged 20–30 (66.3%), with a majority residing in Amman.
• Instrument: An electronic, validated survey containing 40 questions was utilized. The instrument was adapted from a previously published study by Furnham et al. (2013) and underwent a two-round validation process to improve reliability (Cronbach's alpha improved from 0.47 to 0.71).
• Procedure: The survey assessed socio-demographics, dental visit patterns, and perceptions of dentist attire. To ensure standardization, participants were presented with specific images of dentists wearing various attire options (scrubs, lab coats, formal shirts, and PPE) for both male and female dentists, including variations with and without headscarves for female dentists.
• Statistical Analysis: Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 26. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) were used for demographic data. One-sample t-tests were employed to determine if mean preference scores significantly deviated from a neutral value. Chi-Square tests analyzed categorical outcomes (e.g., headscarf preference), and the Kruskal-Wallis test assessed associations between demographic groups and perception scores. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Key Results

• Attire Preference: There was a statistically significant preference for scrubs over other attire forms.
  • Scrubs vs. Formal Shirt: 85.8% preferred scrubs (p < 0.001).
  • Scrubs vs. White Coat: 57.9% preferred scrubs over the white coat (p < 0.001).
  • PPE Integration: 63.6% of respondents preferred dentists wearing scrubs with full PPE compared to scrubs without PPE (p < 0.001). This was the strongest preference observed.
  • White Coat vs. Shirt: Despite the preference for scrubs, the traditional white coat was still preferred over a formal shirt by 71.1% of participants, indicating that the white coat retains a degree of professional symbolism.
• Gender and Cultural Preferences:
  • Dentist Gender: The majority of respondents (73.6%) expressed no preference regarding the gender of their dentist.
  • Headscarf: Among female dentists, there was a significant preference for those wearing headscarves (29.8%) compared to those without (8.3%) (p < 0.001), aligning with local cultural norms regarding modesty.
• Non-Verbal Factors: While attire influences first impressions, 83.86% of participants agreed that a dentist's attitude toward patient care is the most important factor, suggesting that interpersonal warmth remains paramount.

Key Contributions
This study provides empirical data addressing a gap in dental literature regarding patient attire preferences in a culturally specific, non-Western context.

1. Shift in Norms: It documents a distinct shift away from the traditional "white coat" paradigm in dentistry toward functional, hygienic attire (scrubs and PPE), contrasting with findings in general medicine where white coats often remain dominant.
2. Cultural Contextualization: It highlights the critical role of cultural congruence in healthcare, demonstrating that modest attire (headscarves) significantly impacts patient preference in Jordan, a factor often overlooked in Western-centric literature.
3. Post-Pandemic Insights: The strong preference for PPE reflects heightened public awareness of infection control, suggesting that safety protocols are now a primary component of perceived professionalism in dental settings.

Significance and Claims
The authors claim that these findings offer practical insights for dental professionals and institutions to align their appearance with patient expectations, thereby enhancing trust and the quality of care. The study suggests that in Jordan, the "ideal" dental professional is perceived not through formal medical dress (suits and white coats) but through attire that signals hygiene, safety, and cultural respect (scrubs with PPE and modesty).

The paper concludes that attire is not merely superficial but an essential element in establishing credibility. However, the authors maintain a modest stance regarding the generalizability of these findings, acknowledging limitations such as the cross-sectional design, potential selection bias toward younger and urban populations, and the need for future longitudinal studies to determine if these preferences persist as infection control concerns evolve. The study does not propose new experimental protocols but rather advocates for evidence-based dress code recommendations tailored to the specific cultural and procedural requirements of the dental industry.