The blurred lines of professionalism in dentistry.

Introduction Literature surrounding the definition, portrayal and teaching of professionalism in dentistry is widespread. However, there has been substantially less focus on the boundaries of professionalism and what constitutes unprofessional or a lapse in professionalism.Aims What about a dentist's conduct calls their professionalism into question? In exploring this, we shed light on where the boundary between professional and unprofessional conduct is blurred.

Are the standards of professionalism expected in dentistry justified? Views of dental professionals and the public.

Introduction In the UK, the General Dental Council specifies nine principles of professional standards that dental registrants must follow. There are views that such standards are high, patients' expectations are rising, and the professionalism of dental professionals is increasingly scrutinised. This paper explores whether the high standards expected in dentistry are justified.

Professionalism in the dental practice: perspectives from members of the public, dentists and dental care professionals.

Introduction This paper examines views on professionalism in the dental practice workplace through a thematic analysis of data from eight focus groups.Methods Focus groups were conducted with 19 dentists, 13 dental care professionals and 19 members of the public in England and Wales. The research was part of a larger mixed-methods study of professionalism in dentistry commissioned by the General Dental Council.

The dental core training experience: the views of trainees and their postgraduate training leads.

Introduction Dental core training (DCT) is an optional, postgraduate programme with a duration of one to three years that dentists in the UK can pursue to further strengthen their skillset.Aims To understand career motivations and preferences of trainees pursuing DCT, and their perceptions and experiences of the programme.Methods Data were gathered from 176 DCT trainees across England through focus groups or individual paper-based responses to questions, as well as telephone interviews with ten associate postgraduate dental deans/training programme directors.