Evaluating Perception of Ethics and Professionalism amongst Dental Students of Dental Teaching Institute

Abstract

Objective

The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of undergraduates and graduates regarding professionalism and ethical guidelines and their application in clinical practices.

Methodology

A descriptive cross-sectional study design was opted. For dental undergraduates of clinical year 3rd and 4th and graduates who are either house officers or junior faculty members of public and private dental institutes a pre-validated questionnaire having a Cronbach's alpha value within 0.7 to 0.8 range in a pilot run amongst 15 participants that was then circulated via online media. The questionnaire was comprised of 15 items and a Likert scale was used in the survey with close-ended questions. Data analysis was done through SPSS version 21. For quantitative variables mean and standard deviations were determined.

Results:

According to the data collected and analyzed 50 % of the students and junior dental faculty or fresh dentist opinioned that they do learn ethics and professionalism from their peers and about 50 % of participants look forward to the inclusion of ethics as a subject at the undergraduate level. About 48 % of participants opinioned that after graduation their public speaking skills and ethics of patient handling should be polished through the inclusion of multiple workshops and continuing education programs from the institution.

Conclusion: This study suggests that a curriculum should be designed to develop psychological attributes with the use of effective teaching and learning.