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Assessment of Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Professional Ethics Among Dental Students at Alborz University of Medical Sciences in 2024
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Mahta Alizadsane   , Zahra Momeni * |
| Alborz Dental School , z.momeni@abzums.ac.ir |
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Abstract: (18 Views) |
Background and Aim: Adherence to professional ethical principles and decision-making within an ethical framework are essential to ensuring patient well-being. The student years represent a critical period for learning professional ethics and developing the skills necessary to apply them. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of dental students at Alborz University of Medical Sciences regarding professional ethics in 2024.
Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 193 dental students in their final three years of study at Alborz University of Medical Sciences were enrolled. Data were collected in three sections: (1) Demographic characteristics (age, gender, marital status, and academic term); (2) Knowledge of professional ethical principles, assessed using a validated questionnaire based on the five ethical principles of the American Dental Association (ADA), consisting of 18 items; and (3) Attitudes toward professional ethics, measured using the Ethics in Dentistry Attitude Scale (EADS) with 44 items across three domains: maintaining professional status in relationships (22 items), providing services while preserving trust (18 items), and disclosure of information in the patient’s best interest (4 items). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27, with a significance level of 0.05.
Results: The knowledge score based on ADA ethical principles was 95.2±17.8, indicating a moderate level, The attitude score was 185.5±16.6, reflecting a relatively favorable attitude toward professional ethics. Knowledge scores was significantly associated with age (p=0.002), marital status (p=0.024), and economic status (p=0.003); married students, older students, and those with better economic conditions demonstrated higher knowledge scores. No significant associations were found between attitude scores—or their subdomains—and demographic variables.
Conclusion: Dental students demonstrated a moderate level of knowledge and a relatively favorable attitude toward professional ethics. Revising the dental curriculum and employing group-based learning may help enhance students’ ethical competencies..
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| Keywords: Professional ethics, Knowledge, Attitude, Dental students |
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Full-Text [PDF 811 kb]
(14 Downloads)
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Type of Study: original article |
Subject:
Dental EDu
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