The Impact of Trusting the Dentist on the Intention to Receive Healthcare Again: The Mediating Role of Trust in the Healthcare Institution

Objective: The strong relationship and trust between the patient and the service provider are critical to the continuity of healthcare services. The aim of this study is to determine patients’ trust in their dentist and in the healthcare institution, their intention to receive healthcare again, and the relationships among these variables among patients who visit both a private and a public oral and dental health institution.

Methods: The population of this cross-sectional, analytical study consisted of patients who applied to a private and a public oral and dental healthcare institution in Burdur province between October 1 and October 31, 2025 (N = 1500). Utilizing convenience sampling, a non-random method, data were obtained from 342 consenting patients aged 18 years. To capture accurate post-visit evaluations regarding their intention to receive healthcare again, trained interviewers briefed the participants and administered the questionnaires immediately following their dental service utilization. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS 27 and SmartPLS v.3.2.9.

Results: A moderate positive correlation was found between the variables. Based on this relationship, a path analysis revealed that trust in the dentist increased trust in the healthcare institution and the intention to receive healthcare again, while trust in the healthcare organization increased the intention to receive healthcare again.

Conclusion: Consequently, enhancing the professional environment and technical competencies of dentists may be considered an evidence-based approach to strengthening institutional trust and ensuring long-term patient retention in oral and dental health services.

Cite this article as: Alp S. The impact of trusting the dentist on the intention to receive healthcare again: the mediating role of trust in the healthcare institution. Arch Health Sci Res. 2026, 13, 0320, doi: 10.5152/ArcHealthSciRes.2026.25320.