Provider Appearance: A Survey of Guardian and Patient Preference.

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to: (1) assess children's preferences for their pediatric dentist's attire; (2) assess guardians' preferences for their child's pediatric dentist's attire; and (3) determine which attributes are associated with different types of attire. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study using survey methodology with patients and parents who attended the pediatric dental clinic at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va., USA.

METHODS: A total sample of 100 guardians and 97 pediatric patients completed the computer-based questionnaire. Four subjects posed for photographs wearing various combinations of attire (professional, casual, white coat, scrubs).

RESULTS: Among guardians, 56 percent reported preferring a provider in scrubs, with white coat the second most preferred attire (39 percent) for their children. For pediatric patients, scrubs were still most often selected, but at a lower rate (43 percent), and the white coat remained the second most preferred (37 percent).

CONCLUSIONS: Children and parents have strong perceptions and preferences regarding their dentists' attire.