Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41244544›Full record

ArticlePakistan journal of medical sciences2025

Gender predisposition in patient attitudes and preferences during dental treatment - A mixed method study from Lahore, Pakistan.

Afifa Ehsan, Eesha Aftab, Muhammad Ahmad Jawwad Khan, Narmeen Azhar, Iqra Ayub, Ali Sajjad

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Pakistan journal of medical sciences, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Afifa EhsanProf. Dr. Afifa Ehsan, BDS, MPhil, CMT, CME, CMJE, DHEP, MHPE, Professor, Department of Oral Biology, Faryal Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan.
Eesha AftabEesha Aftab, 4 Year BDS Student, Fatima Memorial College of Dentistry, Lahore, Pakistan.
Muhammad Ahmad Jawwad KhanMuhammad Ahmad Jawwad Khan, 4 Year BDS Student, Fatima Memorial College of Dentistry, Lahore, Pakistan.
Narmeen AzharNarmeen Azhar, 4 Year BDS Student, Fatima Memorial College of Dentistry, Lahore, Pakistan.
Iqra AyubIqra Ayub, 4 Year BDS Student, Fatima Memorial College of Dentistry, Lahore, Pakistan.
Ali SajjadAli Sajjad, 4 Year BDS Student, Fatima Memorial College of Dentistry, Lahore, Pakistan.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objective: To investigate predispositions, focusing on the impact of the gender of dentists on patient attitudes and exploring how these predispositions affect dental care. Methods: A cross-sectional, mixed-method study was planned that surveyed 383 patients from July 2023 to July 2024 at three private dental hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan. A combination of quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques was used, including thematically transcribing recordings to identify recurring themes related to gender predispositions in dental care. Results: The study found significant gender-based preferences; male dentists were preferred for attributes like decisiveness, experience, and time management, with 37% (n=142) respondents viewing them as more confident and experienced. Female dentists were favored for aesthetics, sensitivity, and preventive care, with 44% (n=172) appreciating their attention to detail and 52% (n=201) valuing their sensitivity and caring nature. Substantial associations were seen for attention to aesthetics (p ≤ 0.04), concern for cleanliness (p ≤ 0.03), multiple visits (p ≤ 0.00), sharing dental fears (p ≤ 0.00), discussing general health (p ≤ 0.00) and financial issues (p ≤ 0.00), and understanding problems (p ≤ 0.00). Qualitative analysis found preferences under five themes including comfort level, perception of competence, cultural and religious factors, trust and confidence in treatment, bias and stereotypes. Conclusion: The study findings highlight gender predispositions in dental care, influenced by cultural stereotypes. Addressing these biases is crucial for improving patient satisfaction and ensuring equitable treatment. The study further suggests that both patients and dental professionals should focus on qualifications and skills rather than gender, with further research needed to explore the deeper impact of these predispositions on patient perceptions.

Indexed as

Dentist genderDoctor-patient relationshipGender biasPakistanPatient preferencesPerceptionQualitative studyStereotypingTertiary care

Identifiers

PMID41244544
PMCPMC12616344

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.