Chinese Journal of Oral Implantology ›› 2025, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (5): 481-487.DOI: 10.12337/zgkqzzxzz.2025.10.008

• Clinical Research • Previous Articles     Next Articles

A study of factors influencing patients' willingness to use national collection of implants based on structural equation modeling

Li Yueyan1, Li Li2, Jiao Mingxiu2, Bao Xianjing2   

  1. 1Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, Shandong, China;
    2The Affiliated Yantai Stomatological Hospital Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, Shandong, China
  • Received:2025-05-12 Published:2025-10-30
  • Contact: Bao Xianjing, Email: baoxianjing@126.com, Tel: 0086-535-6270121
  • Supported by:
    Yantai Municipal Social Science Planning Research Project (YTSK2024-180)

Abstract: Objective To explore factors influencing patients’ willingness to choose nationally centralized procurement dental implants, improve their acceptance of such implants, and reduce the economic burden of oral implant treatment. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted among 696 implant patients treated at a tertiary Class A specialized dental hospital in Yantai City (valid response rate: 90.86%). Based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), a structural equation model (SEM) was constructed with six dimensions: attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, perceived risk, willingness to use, and actual behavior. The structural equation model (SEM) was used to analyze the pathways through which these factors influenced patients’ willingness to use implants under the national centralized procurement program. Results The scale demonstrated good reliability and validity (Cronbach’s α=0.774, KMO=0.790, cumulative variance explained=70.52%), and the structural equation model demonstrated good fit (CMIN/DF=3.414, RMSEA=0.059, IFI=0.939, CFI=0.939, TLI=0.925). Path analysis revealed that attitude (direct effect = 0.15, P<0.05) and subjective norm (direct effect = 0.80, P<0.05) had direct positive effects on willingness to use. Willingness to use (direct effect = 0.60, P<0.05) and perceived risk (direct effect = 0.17, P<0.05) directly influence actual behavior; perceived behavioral norms had no significant effect on intention to use (P>0.05). Among subjective norm indicators, Tfriend recommendation” showed the highest factor loading (1.88), exerting the strongest impact on patient decision-making. Conclusion To encourage patients’ adoption of nationally centralized procurement implant systems, it is essential to ensure product quality, minimize adverse events, enhance clinicians’ understanding of different implant systems, strengthen the role of clinician recommendations, and improve publicity and patient education regarding procured implants.

Key words: National centralized procurement implants, Use willingness, Structural equation model