Impact of demographics and appointment characteristics on patient attendance in a university dental clinic

Abstract

Introduction: Failed patient attendance in a university dental clinic is detrimental to the student learning experience, the university as a business, and to members of the public awaiting urgent dental treatment. Purpose: This study aimed to identify the demographic, appointment characteristics, and time-related factors associated with patient attendance in a university dental clinic from 2015 to 2019. Methods: A 5-year retrospective analysis was conducted in 2020 on data extracted from the Griffith University Dental Clinic patient management system. Following data cleaning and categorization, the dataset was downloaded into SPSS for statistical analysis. Frequencies, odds ratio, and chi squared were used to determine the demographic and time-related factors of patients who had completed, cancelled, and failed to attend (FTA) appointments. Results: A total of 23.4% of appointments were cancelled, and 6.6% were FTA. Demographics associated with cancellations include females, adults aged 25 to 44, and private paying patients. FTA were higher in young adults aged 19 to 24, low to mid-range socioeconomic status (SES) and those eligible for publicly funded dental treatment. Mondays and Fridays experienced the greatest number of FTA and cancellations, respectively. Emergency appointments had the greatest attendance rates and endodontic procedures the lowest. Conclusion: The loss of clinical teaching hours, resources, and revenue necessitates the implementation of targeted strategies to minimize cancellations and FTA based on demographic and appointment characteristics that may render individual as high risk for failed attendance.