Defense Date
2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Dentistry
Department
Dentistry
First Advisor
Bhavna Shroff
Second Advisor
Steven Lindauer
Third Advisor
Caroline Carrico
Fourth Advisor
Omar Abubaker
Abstract
Introduction: This study aimed to determine whether factors influencing selection of treatment provider differ between patients treated by orthodontists and those treated by general dentists, and to determine how patient satisfaction differs between these provider types. A secondary aim was to explore what proportion of orthodontic patients seek direct-to-consumer (DTC) aligners and how their motivations and satisfaction differ from patients treated in traditional practices.
Methods: An online survey was sent to U.S. adults who had completed adult orthodontic treatment. Respondents rated factors that had influenced their selection of provider using a five-point Likert scale. Satisfaction was measured with a modified Bennett questionnaire assessing satisfaction across outcome, process, and psychosocial domains. Associations between provider type and reported motivations and satisfaction were analyzed using ANOVA or t-tests where appropriate.
Results: Among 537 respondents (78% orthodontist, 18% general dentist, 4% DTC), confidence in achieving the best result was the highest-rated motivator overall (92%). Affordability and convenience were rated more important by general dentist and DTC patients than by those treated by orthodontists (p< 0.001). Outcome satisfaction differed by provider type (p=0.0003), with orthodontists scoring the highest, while process and psychosocial satisfaction showed no differences across provider types.
Conclusions: Adult orthodontic patients value multiple factors when selecting providers and report high satisfaction across all provider types. Patients treated by orthodontists are less motivated by convenience and affordability and report higher satisfaction with treatment outcomes. These findings suggest that while multiple care models meet patient needs, provider selection is associated with distinct priorities and perceived results.
Rights
© Colton Curtis
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
6-17-2026