Are the standards of professionalism expected in dentistry justified? Views of dental professionals and the public

Barrow, Hannah, Bartlett, Sophie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6958-0910, Bullock, Alison ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3800-2186 and Cowpe, Jonathan 2023. Are the standards of professionalism expected in dentistry justified? Views of dental professionals and the public. British Dental Journal 234 (5) , pp. 329-333. 10.1038/s41415-023-5572-8

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Abstract

Introduction: In the UK, the General Dental Council specifies nine principles of professional standards that dental registrants must follow. There are views that such standards are high, patients' expectations are rising, and the professionalism of dental professionals is increasingly scrutinised. This paper explores whether the high standards expected in dentistry are justified. Methods: We applied thematic analysis to 772 free-text responses from dental team members and the public to a modified Delphi survey. Respondents described their views of professional and unprofessional behaviours in dentistry. Data were obtained as part of a larger review of professionalism in dentistry. Results: Two lines of argument were identified: professionalism standards are high, but justifiably so; and professionalism standards are too high. Within these, four broad themes emerged: patient trust; comparison with other professions; a culture of fear; and perfection. Conclusion: High professionalism standards are justified in a profession where patient trust is paramount. However, a problem lies in the culture that surrounds professionalism in terms of litigation and dental professionals feel pressure to possess an unattainable, infallible nature. These negative impacts need minimising. We suggest that undergraduates and continuing professional development approach professionalism with care, to foster a supportive, positive and reflective culture of professionalism.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Dentistry Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education) Cardiff Unit for Research and Evaluation in Medical and Dental Education (CUREMeDE)
Publisher:	Springer Nature [academic journals on nature.com]
ISSN:	1476-5373
Funders:	General Dental Council
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	10 March 2023
Date of Acceptance:	17 January 2023
Last Modified:	16 May 2023 08:18
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/157648

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