Table 2 Descriptive statistics for informational survey

1a. Factual Questions to a Dental Assistant/Hygienist (Interactional Behavior)

 Would you ask a dental assistant/hygienist: How long will this dental procedure last?

2.06

1.38

 Would you ask a dental assistant/hygienist: How long will the pain last after the procedure?

2.11

1.52

 Would you ask a dental assistant/hygienist: What signs should I look out for if my teeth/gums are not healing as they should?

2.23

1.52

 Would you ask a dental assistant/hygienist: When can I resume eating and drinking?

1.83

1.5

 Would you ask a dental assistant/hygienist: How is the procedure (e.g. scaling and polishing) performed?

2.91

1.54

 If a dental assistant/hygienist encouraged you to ask the above questions (e.g. by saying “it’s ok to ask staff questions”), would you be more willing to ask these questions?

1.98

1.34

1b. Factual Questions to a Dentist (Interactional Behavior)

 Would you ask a dentist: How long will the pain last after the procedure?

1.82

1.34

 Would you ask a dentist: How long will this dental procedure last?

2.13

1.28

 Would you ask a dentist: When can I resume eating and drinking?

1.82

1.27

 Would you ask a dentist: How is the procedure (e.g. root canal treatment) performed?

2.4

1.63

 Would you ask a dentist: What signs should I look out for if my teeth/gums are not healing as they should?

2.07

1.44

 If a dentist encouraged you to ask the above questions (e.g. by saying “it’s ok to ask dentists’ questions”), would you be more willing to ask these questions?

1.87

1.28

2a. Challenging Questions to a Dental Assistant/Hygienist (Interactional Behavior)

 Would you ask a dental assistant/hygienist: Can you check that you have the correct tooth site/location for my procedure?

3.26

1.81

 Would you ask a dental assistant/hygienist: How many of these procedures have you performed?

4.09

1.85

 Would you ask a dental assistant/hygienist: Why are you using that instrument/piece of equipment?

4.49

1.5

 Would you ask a dental assistant/hygienist: Have you washed your hands?

4.75

1.72

 Would you ask a dental assistant/hygienist: What are the risks, benefits, and alternatives of this procedure?

2.75

1.63

 If a dental assistant/hygienist encouraged you to ask the above questions (e.g. by saying “it’s ok to ask staff questions”) would you be more willing to ask these questions?

2.34

1.48

2b. Challenging Questions to a Dentist (Interactional Behavior)

 Would you ask a dentist: Why are you using that instrument/piece of equipment?

4.15

1.7

 Would you ask a dentist: Can you check that you have the correct tooth site/location for my procedure?

4.13

1.6

 Would you ask a dentist: How many of these procedures have you performed?

4.47

1.4

 Would you ask a dentist: Have you washed your hands?

4.6

1.78

 Would you ask a dentist: What are the risks, benefits, and alternatives of this procedure?

2.31

1.31

 If a dentist encouraged you to ask the above questions (e.g. by saying “it’s ok to ask dentists’ questions”) would you be more willing to ask these questions?

2

1.1

3a. Notifying Dental Assistant/Hygienist (Interactional Behavior)

 Would you notify a dental assistant/hygienist if you thought your gums/mouth had become infected after a procedure?

1.71

1.4

 Would you notify a dental assistant/hygienist if they had the dental record/radiograph of the wrong patient pulled up while discussing your treatment plan?

1.59

1.24

 Would you notify a dental assistant/hygienist if you did not receive the results of a biopsy test for an oral swelling/mass?

1.53

0.97

 Would you notify a dental assistant/hygienist if you thought an error had occurred in your care?

1.72

1.17

 Would you notify your dental assistant/hygienist if there has been a significant change in your medical history?

1.57

0.85

 For the above problems and concerns, if a dental assistant/hygienist said to you “it’s ok to notify me of any of these problems or errors”, would you be more willing to do this?

1.68

0.96

3b. Notifying Dentist (Interactional Behavior)

 Would you notify a dentist if you did not receive the results of a biopsy test for an oral swelling/mass?

1.34

0.71

 Would you notify a dentist if you thought an error had occurred in your care?

1.5

1.06

 Would you notify a dentist if you thought your gums/mouth had become infected after a procedure?

1.31

0.78

 Would you notify a dentist if they had the dental record/radiograph of the wrong patient pulled up while discussing your treatment plan?

1.4

0.93

 Would you notify your dentist if there has been a significant change in your medical history?

1.39

0.69

 For the above problems and concerns, if a dentist said to you “it’s ok to notify me of any of these problems or errors”, would you be more willing to do this?

1.75

1.01

4. Information Provision (Non-Interactional Behavior)

 Would you be willing to bring into the dental office, medications that you are taking and a list of allergies?

1.96

1.01

 If a dentist encouraged you to bring into the dental office, medications and a list of allergies, would you be more willing to do this?

1.62

1.6

 If a dental assistant/hygienist encouraged you to bring into dental office, medications and a list of allergies, would you be more willing to do this?

1.59

1.4

5. Information Gain (Non-Interactional Behavior)

 Would you want to be given information to help you decide which dental office had the highest safety record for your treatment?

1.7

1.03

 If a dentist encouraged you to look at information to help you decide which dental office had the highest safety record, would you be more willing to do this?

1.52

0.86

 If a dental assistant/hygienist encouraged you to look at information to help you decide which dental office had the highest safety record, would you be more willing to do this?

1.64

0.88

6. Reporting (Non-Interactional Behavior)

 If you experienced an error in your care, would you report this to a national reporting system?

3.02

1.55

 If a dentist encouraged you to report an error you experienced in your care to a national reporting system, would you be more willing to do this?

2.09

1.34

 If a dental assistant/hygienist encouraged you to report an error you experienced in your care to a national reporting system, would you be more willing to do this?

2.04

1.17