The factor influencing patient's intention for dental services selection in Thailand

Abstract

The dental industry in Thailand is experiencing significant growth, driven by factors such as urbanization, an aging population, and dental tourism. Understanding patients' preferences and factors influencing their choice of dental clinics is crucial for both private and public healthcare sectors. This thematic paper investigates the factors influencing patients' intentions in selecting dental services in Thailand. The study employs a quantitative research design, utilizing surveys to collect data from 100 Thai respondents. The research focuses on three main factors: accessibility, physical facilities, and doctor service quality. Statistical analyses, including T-tests, regression analysis, and factor analysis, were conducted to evaluate the data. The findings reveal that doctor service quality emerged as the most significant factor influencing patients' intentions for dental clinic selection in Thailand. This underscores the importance of patient-provider interactions and communication in shaping the healthcare experience. While physical facilities and accessibility also play roles, they were not found to be statistically significant in this study. The paper concludes with recommendations for dental service providers to enhance doctor service quality, emphasizing patient-centered care and regular quality assessments. Limitations, such as sampling constraints and regional variations, are discussed, along with suggestions for future research to further explore the factors influencing patients' dental clinic selections in Thailand.