Violence against Dental Surgeons: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study
Sadia Shakeel, Muhammad Ali, Mishaal Mustajtab, Mohammad Annas Aslam, Danish Javed, Sana Zafar, Ayesha Fahim
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ABSTRACT
Background: Violence and
aggression against physicians has been reported commonly in Pakistan but there
is still dearth of documented literature available on this global dilemma.
Methodology: A pre-validated, online
questionnaire was formed on ‘google forms’ and distributed among 640 dentists of
average age 30 years. This questionnaire consisted of demographic data, multiple
basic questions about workplace abuse and violence that dentists have felt or
experienced during their duty hours and work set ups. It also included the experience
of violence against dentists by offenders and their experience regarding
institutional and hospital support provided in these situations.
Results: A total of 524 dental
surgeons participates in the research. It was discovered that most (85%) of the
dental surgeons have faced some sort of abusive events in the past one year.
Similarly, 62% of the study population had suffered moderate events whereas, approximately
38% had faced severe violent incidents. Dentists mostly face verbal abuse,
followed by emotional, physical and sexual. The abuser is mostly the patient or
his / her relative.
Conclusion: Violence or abuse is
considerably common in the field of dentistry and dentists have negative
perception about institutional support regarding this matter.
Keywords: Public health;
Awareness; Dentistry; Human rights; Violence
ABSTRACT
Background: Violence and
aggression against physicians has been reported commonly in Pakistan but there
is still dearth of documented literature available on this global dilemma.
Methodology: A pre-validated, online
questionnaire was formed on ‘google forms’ and distributed among 640 dentists of
average age 30 years. This questionnaire consisted of demographic data, multiple
basic questions about workplace abuse and violence that dentists have felt or
experienced during their duty hours and work set ups. It also included the experience
of violence against dentists by offenders and their experience regarding
institutional and hospital support provided in these situations.
Results: A total of 524 dental
surgeons participates in the research. It was discovered that most (85%) of the
dental surgeons have faced some sort of abusive events in the past one year.
Similarly, 62% of the study population had suffered moderate events whereas, approximately
38% had faced severe violent incidents. Dentists mostly face verbal abuse,
followed by emotional, physical and sexual. The abuser is mostly the patient or
his / her relative.
Conclusion: Violence or abuse is
considerably common in the field of dentistry and dentists have negative
perception about institutional support regarding this matter.
Keywords: Public health;
Awareness; Dentistry; Human rights; Violence