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BMC Oral Health

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Open Access 01-12-2023 | Care | Research

Dentistry’s social contract and dental students’ moral inclusiveness

Authors: Astha Shah, Laura Dempster, Sonica Singhal, Carlos Quiñonez

Published in: BMC Oral Health | Issue 1/2023

Abstract

Background

Under dentistry’s social contract with the public, dental professionals have a social responsibility to address the oral health needs of the population at large. However, dental education places little emphasis on such moral commitments. By ascertaining dental students’ stance regarding these notions, we may be able to inform changes in dental education. This paper thus explores dental students’ comprehension of dentistry’s social contract using the concepts of moral inclusion, moral community and empathy.

Methods

A cross-sectional online survey collected information from undergraduate dental students at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto (N = 430). Moral inclusion was assessed through the breadth of students’ moral community by computing a “moral inclusion score” (MIS) from Likert scale responses to statements that asked students about their duty of care for different population groups, wherein a higher MIS indicated a broader moral community and in turn greater moral inclusiveness. Empathy was assessed using Likert scale responses to statements that gauged the extent to which students understood the effect of social determinants on people’s health. Association of the MIS with environmental, institutional and student-related factors was also investigated using non-parametric tests and linear regression.

Results

The survey yielded a response rate of 51.4% (n = 221). Overall, students in this sample were morally inclusive and displayed empathy. Regression results showed that the MIS was most strongly associated with choosing a small town/rural area as a future practice location (β = 4.76, 95% CI: 0.52, 9.01) and viewing patients as consumers (β = -3.71, 95%CI: -7.13, -0.29).

Conclusion

Students in this sample made morally inclusive choices, which implied that they had a basic understanding of the obligations under dentistry’s social contract. Improving knowledge and experience with regards to addressing the social and economic determinants of oral health and access to oral health care may positively influence students’ perceptions of their professional duties under the social contract.

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Title: Dentistry’s social contract and dental students’ moral inclusiveness
Authors: Astha Shah
Laura Dempster
Sonica Singhal
Carlos Quiñonez
Publication date: 01-12-2023
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Care
Published in: BMC Oral Health / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6831
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-023-02994-0

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Dentistry’s social contract and dental students’ moral inclusiveness

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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