Knowledge Regarding Dentists (Code of Ethics) Regulation among Dental Students in Mathura: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: “Ethics” is inferred from word “ethos” meaning custom or character. Ethics helps to support confidentiality, self-determination, veracity, and fidelity and encourages the well-being and impartiality of individual. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of dentist code of ethics among dental students in Mathura city. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was executed among 252 dental students studying in K. D. Dental College, Mathura, to assess the knowledge of dentists code of ethics. The study population was selected using convenient sampling. All the dental students studying in final year BDS, internship, and doing postgraduation were included in this study. A structured questionnaire consisted of total 19 questions related to their knowledge of dentists code of ethics regulation was used to assess knowledge about dental ethics. Results: While assessing the knowledge regarding dentist code of ethics, it was found that about 206 (81.7%) and 144 (57.1%) participants had knowledge that in the year 1948 Dentist Act was given and dentists (Code of Ethics) regulation was given by the Dental Council of India, respectively. Few participants, that is, 72 (28.6%) knew that refusing treatment of HIV positive patients was unethical for dental surgeon. However, 116 (46%) participants knew that supply or selling drugs at dental clinic were not unethical. Conclusion: The present study concluded that participants had sparse knowledge about dentists (Code of Ethics) regulation. It is essential to incorporate ethical standards in daily dental practice. It is needed to provide appropriate training methods in the dental profession for continuing toward acceptable ethical behavior in dentistry.