Comparing locus of control in orthodontic patients of a university dental hospital with those of a private dental clinic

Ku, Seung Jun; Lee, Shin Jae; Kim, Tae Woo; Chang, Young Il

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Many factors are considered when a patient chooses the type of dental institution they wish to receive treatment from. Numerous studies have been conducted regarding this issue. However, more research is needed in analyzing the patient's psychological aspects when he/she decides to choose the dental institution they wish to receive treatment from.
METHODS
A locus of control test was utilized to analyze the psychological aspects in orthodontic patients of a university dental hospital and a private dental clinic. The locus of control test is known to be useful in predicting a human being's behavior. Both intrinsic and extrinsic locus of control tests were carried out in 934 orthodontic patients attending Seoul National University Dental Hospital and 1466 orthodontic patients from a private dental clinic.
RESULTS
The orthodontic patients at the university dental hospital showed a stronger extrinsic locus of control compared with those from the private dental clinic.
CONCLUSION
The orthodontic patients at the university dental hospital value the doctor as the authority figure and the treatment quality more than those at the private dental clinic.