AbstractPatients' perceptions play an important role in assessing the quality of dental treatment. This study investigated 56 possible quality aspects on their importance as judged by regular attenders. A nationwide sample of 5000 Dutch people was contracted, 1328 persons meeting our selection criteria tilled out the questionnaire and responded. The results show that hygiene of instruments and the availability of the dentist in case of emergency were considered the most important. It was concluded that in general these patients judged technical and functional aspects of dental care to be of more importance than communicative and informative aspects. Differences in perceptions were found according to sex and, to a lesser extent, to education, means of insurance and place of residence. But, on the whole, response patterns were homogeneous.