title: Professional attitudes and behaviors acquired during undergraduate education in the College of Dentistry, King Saud University.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to investigate and evaluate the professional attitudes and behaviors acquired by students and recently graduated dentists during undergraduate education at King Saud University.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional survey used a 27-item questionnaire covering four cumulative theoretical dimensions of professionalism. Questionnaires were distributed to fifth-year students, interns, and demonstrators in the College of Dentistry during the academic year 2010-2011, and 203 completed questionnaires were used in analyses. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize responses. Crosstab and chi-squared tests were used, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 79.3% (43.6% of males, 94% of females). Eighty-seven questionnaires were collected from fifth-year students, 92 from interns, and 24 from demonstrators. Many (59%) participants demonstrated high levels of professional attitudes and behaviors, whereas 40% did not comply with the elements of professionalism. Analyses revealed highly significant differences in certain responses with regard to gender, academic level, and grade point average.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although some participants did not possess all professional qualities, all participants possessed at least some elements of professionalism measured in this study. We thus recommend a strategic effort to develop targeted plans emphasizing professionalism at all levels of the dental school curriculum. High-profile role modeling, lectures, seminars, and academic ceremonies are ways of achieving professional development among dental students in parallel with their acquisition of basic scientific knowledge and clinical skills. This approach will formally and informally communicate that professionalism is a core value.
authors: Division of Endodontics, Department of Restorative Dental Sciences, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Dina
authors: D
authors: Al-Sudani
authors: Fatima
authors: F
authors: Al-Abbas
authors: Zainab
authors: Z
authors: Al-Bannawi
authors: Anwaar
authors: A
authors: Al-Ramadhan
keywords: Attitudes; Behavior; Professionalism
references: J Dent Educ. 2007 Feb;71(2):205-16
references: 17314381
references: Kaohsiung J Med Sci. 2012 Feb;28(2 Suppl):S8-12
references: 22301013
references: JAMA. 2003 Sep 3;290(9):1151-2
references: 12952994
references: Neurology. 2012 Aug 21;79(8):820-7
references: 22915177
references: Educ Prim Care. 2012 Jul;23(4):297-9
references: 22925964
references: J Gen Intern Med. 2008 Jul;23(7):1118-9
references: 18612756
references: J Surg Educ. 2012 May-Jun;69(3):423-7
references: 22483148
references: J Gen Intern Med. 2004 Aug;19(8):887-92
references: 15242476
references: Med Educ. 2005 Jan;39(1):58-65
references: 15612901
references: J Dent Educ. 2006 Aug;70(8):825-34
references: 16896085
references: JAMA. 1999 Sep 1;282(9):830-2
references: 10478688
references: Surv Ophthalmol. 2007 May-Jun;52(3):300-14
references: 17472805
references: Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2000 Sep;(378):110-4
references: 10986983
references: Ann Intern Med. 2002  Feb 5;136(3):243-6
references: 11827500