The importance of welcoming the pediatric special needs patient in a hospital dental setting: the role of the dental hygienist

Patient reception in a dental practice is fundamental for fostering patient loyalty. The creation of this relationship is also influencedby the practice's design and architecture, along with other strategies such as background music and aroma diffusers.The initial patient interaction occurs at the reception desk; it is essential to make the patient feel at ease immediately by visuallyconveying serenity and empathy. For this reason, interactions among dental team members must promote cohesion rather thanconflict, as the professional's mood is perceived by the patient. In this context, greater challenges were identified in the public-facingaspects compared to private settings.The impression of the dental practice also depends on accessibility and promotional visibility, including business cards, advertisingbillboards, and social media presence.This study aims to assess patient perception in the Dentistry Department of Piove di Sacco Hospital by administering a questionnaireto caregivers of patients scheduled exclusively with the dental hygienist and collecting reporting forms issued by Veneto region. Atotal of 67 questionnaires collected between April and June 2022 and 57 reporting forms gathered from January 2019 to June 2022were analyzed.The analysis revealed that, based on both questionnaires and reporting forms, the majority of patients reported satisfaction with thereception received in the department and their interaction with the dental hygienist.