Evaluation of Respecting Patients’ Dignity by Postgraduate and Undergraduate Dental Students at Dental Schools in Isfahan

In recent years, principles of ethics have been the focus of attention in public health research. One of the most important principles in this field is respect for the patients’ dignity. This study aimed to evaluate the respect for patients’ dignity by dental students and assistants.

In this descriptive-analytical study, 200 patients were randomly selected and divided into 4 groups in terms of their referral to the general and specialized dental clinics of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, and Khorasgan Islamic Azad University. The questionnaire included demographic variables, educational level, and marital status of the patients, and questions on the observance of the patients’ dignity by the dentists. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and t-test using SPSS 23 (α = 0.05).

The mean score of respect for the patients’ dignity by the dentists in the field of calling and addressing the patients showed significant differences between the four study groups (p value = 0.02). However, in general, there were no significant differences between the study groups in terms of the respect for the patients’ dignity by the undergraduate and postgraduate dental students (p value = 0.77).

Patients’ dignity has diverse components, with some factors improving them and with some others compromising them. Increasing the number of courses in medical ethics at dental schools can be effective in increasing respect for patients’ dignity.