Examining the Relationship Between the Quality of Cost Conversations and Patient Satisfaction in the Oral Health Setting

When implemented, provider–patient cost conversations have been touted as an effective strategy for reducing patients’ costs. However, the impact of quality cost conversations on patients’ satisfaction with dental visits remains unknown. By addressing this gap in the literature, this study contributes to the existing body of research on the factors influencing dental patient experience. The data used for this study were from an online, self-administered survey of US residents aged 18 years and older who had visited a dentist within the past 24 months. Adjusted binary logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between the quality of cost conversations and satisfaction with dental visits. Most respondents identified as non-Hispanic White (65.9%), aged 18 to 34 years (45.7%), and had dental insurance coverage (73.7%). In the adjusted logistic regression analysis, the quality of cost conversations was positively and statistically significantly associated with reported satisfaction with the dental visit (odds ratio = 4.371; 95% confidence interval 2.598-7.355). The study suggests aligning cost conversations with treatment planning and incorporating best practice elements, such as routinely discussing care costs as part of the clinical encounter and developing treatment plans responsive to cost concerns, may enhance patients’ experience in dental care settings.