Perceptions of Dental Professionalism - An update

Abstract

Introduction Professionalism is a crucial skill that every dentist must possess in the dental profession. However, the question arises of how dental educators can teach and evaluate professionalism to their postgraduate dental students. Therefore, a study was conducted to define the concept of dental professionalism, which can serve as a foundation for teaching and evaluating professionalism in the dental profession. Material & Methods Through a comprehensive literature review, the researcher identified approximately 35 different components. To refine the identified components further, the researcher conducted focused group discussions with diverse people, including academicians, private practitioners, postgraduate students, and patients. These discussions and validation by experts resulted in the identification of four significant domains with 20 constructs. Results The analysis has yielded four distinct domains encompassing a wide range of considerations. The first group, Societal, pertains to issues that affect society. The second group, Professional, relates to matters that impact one's professional life, such as career goals and workplace conduct. The third category, Ethical, involves questions of morality and ethical behavior. Finally, the fourth type, Personal, encompasses concerns that are unique to an individual, such as personal growth and well-being. Conclusions Professionalism may be defined as "the unification of several core competencies of an individual to be ethical in both personal and professional life and believes in promoting and providing benefits to society.” The model seeks to provide a framework that may be employed to establish an effective educational and assessment regimen. By offering a lucid understanding of the essential elements that define professionalism in dentistry, the model can assist dental professionals in enhancing their skills and competencies, enabling them to provide high-quality patient care. Key Words Dental, Education, Postgraduates, Professionalism