Is dentistry a profession? Part 3. Future challenges (original) (raw)
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Is dentistry a profession? Part 1. Professionalism defined
Journal (Canadian Dental Association), 2004
Individual dentists and organized dentistry alike invariably claim to be (members of) a profession. This label is cherished because it suggests special social, moral and political status. However, almost every self-respecting occupation nowadays claims to be a profession. Hence, the question arises as to what exactly is meant when dentists claim to be professionals and, more important, whether they can justifiably lay claim to this label. Rather than reviewing the manifold and divergent discussions in the literature about professionalism, the author proposes--in this first of 3 consecutive articles--a definition of the term "profession" that is based on the literal origins of the word. Next, it is argued that a profession arises out of a social contract between the public and a service occupation that professes to give priority to the existential needs of the people served. In the second article, the author deduces several professional responsibilities. The third and final...
Dentistry is one of the most interesting and challenging occupation. It deals with different type of problems-pain, destruction of living tissues, loss of function and even risk of de-socialization. It provides solutions to this multitude of issues applying methods, materials, techniques and technologies to relief pain, restore defects, functions and esthetics, assist re-socialization of individuals and assure quality of life. It is not surprising that the choice of dentistry is a competitive field of higher education. But not only the intellectual challenges and the prestige of the profession are attractive for applicants. Most of sociological investigations, assessing motivation for choosing dentistry, showed that its liberal character is a stronger motivator, even stronger than the prestige and good income. Will dentistry keep its liberal character under the global market pressure? How the division of labor and the specialization, a common approach now in almost all fields of social life, will affect dentistry and dental profession? Looking back and seeing how dentistry became the profession it is today, we'll try to identify how current trends will shape its bright future.
The Blurred Lines of Professionalism in Dentistry
Research Square (Research Square), 2023
Introduction: as in other health professions, professionalism is a core concept in dentistry. Endeavours to determine a clear de nition of professionalism in dentistry are widespread. However, there has been substantially less focus on the boundaries of professionalism, and what constitutes unprofessional or a lapse in professionalism. Aims: what leads a dentist's professionalism to be called into question? An exploration of the boundaries between professional and unprofessional and the implications for maintaining professionalism in dentistry. Methods: drawing on data from a large mixed-method study, we conducted a thematic analysis of 772 open-text responses, from dental professionals and members of the public, to an online survey. Results: two lines of argument were identi ed for the conditions under which a dentist's professionalism is called into question: circumstances that bear a direct in uence on patient care, and circumstances that lead to the loss of patient trust. We identify and review processes that build and foster patient trust and thereby maintain professionalism. Conclusion: the ndings support an approach to professionalism that mirrors a dentist's approach to clinical practice. We provide two detailed recommendations for consideration: learned and tailored interactions, and judgement and re ection. In-brief Two lines of argument are posed for the conditions under which a dentist's professionalism is questioned: circumstances that bear a direct in uence on patient care, and broader circumstances that lead to the loss of patient trust. Clinical standards are of central importance, but patient care extends beyond clinical skills and relies on patients' trust and con dence. Some view professionalism as a core attribute of an individual's character and thus the boundary between a dentist's life inside and outside the workplace is blurred. A lapse in professionalism is distinct from characteristically unprofessional behaviour. Recommendations are made for implementing learned and tailored interactions with patients and executing judgement and re ection.
In this paper we argue that the terms 'profession', 'professional' and 'professionalism' provide us with important insights into the practice of dentistry and the priorities for the continuing development of dentistry as a profession. More significantly, we suggest that this understanding can assist us in designing continuing professional development (CPD) programmes aimed at maintaining the professionalism of dentists throughout their working lives.
British Dental Journal, 2023
Highlights the complexities surrounding whether the standards of professionalism in dentistry are justified. Highlights that high professionalism standards are expected in a profession where patient trust is paramount; however, dental professionals feel pressure to possess an unattainable infallible nature and fear increasingly high levels of litigation. Suggests that undergraduate and continuing professional development aim to foster a supportive, positive, and reflective culture of professionalism to help prevent a culture of fear contributing to defensive dentistry.
Perceptions of the professionalization of dental technology
2010
This study investigates the perceptions of dentists, dental technicians and dental patients with regard to the professionalization of dental technology as it is currently constituted in South Africa. The origin of dental technology worldwide lies in a trade and has historically been performed by craftsmen under the instruction of dentists. In South Africa during the early 1900s dental technology was practised in much the same way but the need for formalization of this field had been recognised. By 1945 dental technology was regulated by the Dental Mechanicians Board, which enabled only registered technicians to practise dental technology within South Africa. This field continues to be practised similarly at present. In order to establish the professional development of dental technology it is necessary to consider this field within a framework of desired professional attributes. This framework is provided by Greenwood (1957), who defines a profession by the following five attributes: systematic theory, professional authority, community sanction, ethical codes and a professional culture. Owing to the varied implementation and regulation of dental technology worldwide, little research into the professionalization of this field has been conducted to date. For the purpose of this study, dentists, dental technicians and dental patients in KwaZulu-Natal were interviewed in semi-structured interviews. The main themes emerging from this study were identified and considered with reference to the framework within which this study has been positioned. This study concludes that dental technology, as it is currently constituted in South Africa is perceived to be a profession by dentists, dental technicians and dental patients. .The term profession, however, is poorly understood by all three sample groups. Despite being considered a profession, dental technology is not considered to encompass all the attributes of a profession. Dental technology is therefore identified as a developing profession that positions this field somewhere along the professionalization continuum between a profession and a business. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS