title: [Dentists' Knowledge of Ethical Questions Regarding Dental Medicine - A Survey of Dentists from Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia (Germany)].
abstract: Background:Subjects regarding ethical questions in dental medicine are only slightly touched in the study of dental medicine or in the working regulations of the dentists' association. However, dentists are confronted with these matters in everyday working life. The empirical study at hand collects current data regarding the ethical knowledge about dental medicine in the practical experience of dentists in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia.Methods:The tool used in the survey was a structured questionnaire. Out of 600 randomly chosen and contacted dentists from Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia, 290 replied (response rate: 48.3%). The anonymised assessment took place between June and November 2013.Results:Dentists frequently encounter ethical questions regarding dental matters. The dentists interviewed in the study are in favour of a participative relationship between patient and dentist. Simultaneously, the patient's health is predominantly seen as the good of higher value than his or her self-determination. The dentists show competent knowledge of ethical dental subjects, although increased uncertainties could be observed in more complex situations, e. g. considering contact with patients who are HIV-positive.Conclusions:Questions dealing with dental ethical questions do play a major role in the daily professional life of dentists. In order to further support and strengthen dentists in their individual dental ethical competence, we see a need for advanced training and further education regarding questions and problems in the area of ethics in dental medicine. Also, these topics should become a component in the curriculum of the study of dental medicine.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Geschichte und Ethik der Medizin, Medizinische Fakultät der Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale).
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schochow
authors.affiliation: Institut für Geschichte und Ethik der Medizin, Medizinische Fakultät der Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale).
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Christel
authors.affiliation: Institut für Medizinische Epidemiologie, Biometrie und Informatik, Medizinische Fakultät der Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale).
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lautenschläger
authors.affiliation: Institut für Geschichte und Ethik der Medizin, Medizinische Fakultät der Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale).
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Steger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations / Q000941:ethics*; D003815:Dentists / Q000941:ethics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004990:Ethics, Dental; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists' / Q000941:ethics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult