Emotional intelligence as a predictor of conflict management styles among dental hygiene students

INTRODUCTION

In dental hygiene education, a combination of ethics and professionalism, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills are utilized while managing conflict in academic settings, especially in academic clinical patient care settings. Limited evidence exists in determining whether emotional intelligence is related to conflict management styles (CMS).

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to determine whether relationships exist between emotional intelligence and CMS among undergraduate dental hygiene students.

METHODS

This quantitative cross-sectional survey research study involved a non-probabilistic sample of undergraduate dental hygiene students in the Western United States. The survey instrument consisted of three parts: 1. The Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory-II (ROCI-II) included 28 questions measuring 5 CMS; 2. The Emotional Quotient Self-Assessment Checklist (EQSAC) included 30 questions measuring 6 domains of emotional intelligence (EI); and 3. Demographic questions. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlational statistics and multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

The responses from 92 participants were analysed. Most dental hygiene participants had EI scores in the moderate range and mainly used the collaborative and compromising CMS. Total EI scores were significant predictors of collaborative, compromising, accommodating and competing CMS.

CONCLUSION

Improving EI scores may contribute to the increased use of the collaborative and compromising CMS in dental hygiene education.

Relationship between emotional intelligence and professionalism among second-year dental students

INTRODUCTION

Emotional intelligence (EI) refers to a person's ability to evaluate and manage their personal emotions and the ability to respond appropriately to the emotions of others. Limited evidence exists regarding whether EI is related to professionalism.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate for relationships between EI and professionalism among second-year dental students.

METHODS

Using a quantitative cross-sectional research design, the study instrument consisted of 3 parts: (1) The Emotional Quotient Self-Assessment Checklist (EQSAC), including 30 questions comprising 6 domains that measured EI; (2) The Patient Management and Professionalism Scale (PMPS), including 10 questions comprising 5 domains that measured professionalism; and (3) Demographic questions.

RESULTS

The response rate was 99.2% (n = 117) of second-year dental students. Most EI and professionalism scores were in the moderate range. Female participants had higher domain scores for agreeableness and conscientiousness compared with male participants. Male participants had higher domain scores for emotional stability than female participants. The EI domains were found to be significant predictors of total and domain professionalism levels.

CONCLUSION

Understanding methods to improve EI levels may assist dental students in their development of professionalism.

Final year dental students' perception and practice of professionalism and ethical attitude in ten Sudanese dental schools: A cross-sectional survey

Introduction:

Professionalism and ethics are essential components of all dental schools. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level of professionalism among Sudanese undergraduate dental students.

Materials and Methods:

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 307 students in the final year undergraduate Dental Surgery Bachelor program with 155 public and 152 private university students. We collected data through a self-administrated, semistructured questionnaire.

Results:

Although most of the students enrolled in dental schools due to their performance at higher school (P value 0.00), this has no significant effect on their attendance and academic performance afterward (P value 0.25). The perception of the students toward ethics teaching was generally positive in both public (77.34%) and private schools (78.77%). Ethics was represented in the curriculum of both private (51.7%) and public (48.3%) dental schools as perceived by their students. 95.43% and 94.00% of public and private students, respectively, would always or sometimes work in teams, and 98.02% and 94.04% of public and private students, respectively, would always or sometimes respect patients' preference (P value 0.01). A total of 95.33% of the dental students would consult or refer patients with unexpected situations. Only 26% of all students would treat infectious diseases themselves.

Conclusion:

About three-quarters of Sudanese dental students showed a satisfactory level of perception toward the importance of teaching dental ethics and professionalism. It was reflected in an excellent attitude for teamwork and respecting patients' choices. The demand for teaching professionalism course in every dental school will increase gradually, and family physicians with interest in medical education may play a pivotal role in teaching professionalism to dental students.

Association Between Emotional Intelligence and Academic Performance Among Dental Hygiene Students

Emotional intelligence (EI) has been increasingly associated with the success of health care professionals, including dental professionals. Mental health, physical health, and life satisfaction all have been linked to having a high EI. The aim of this study was to determine any associations between EI scores and academic and clinical performance in a cohort of undergraduate dental hygiene students. All 63 first- and second-year dental hygiene students enrolled at The Ohio State University in the spring term 2017 were invited to participate in this quantitative cross-sectional study. The survey consisted of demographic questions and 30 emotional quotient self-assessment checklist questions divided into six EI subsets. The EI subset scores were then correlated with students' academic and clinical grades. A total of 45 students completed the questionnaire, for a response rate of 71.4%. Most of the participants scored between 16 and 19 for each EI domain, meaning they had a moderate EI level. A significant regression equation of EI subset scores and clinical GPA was found (F(3,41)=7.474, p<0.001), with an R² of 0.354. Simple linear regression was calculated to predict clinical performance based on EI, and a significant regression equation was found (F(3,41)=6.727, p<0.001), with an R² of 0.330. The EI subsets of self-control, motivation, and self-confidence were found to be predictors of overall academic performance. The EI subsets of social competence, empathy, and motivation were found to be predictors of clinical performance. These results suggest that more attention to the development of emotional intelligence may lead to improved academic and clinical performance among undergraduate dental hygiene students.

Informed Consent in Dentistry

A review of literature regarding informed consent in dentistry reveals a paucity of information and minimal scholarship devoted to this subject. But this begs the question about informed consent somehow being different for dentistry than for medicine or other healthcare delivery. My account draws distinctions where appropriate but is rooted in the premise that informed consent is an ethical construct applicable to vulnerable people as patients independent of what type of treatment or body part being considered. This paper highlights the crucial importance of the process of informed consent and refusal in dentistry, underscoring its important place in oral healthcare. This paper will not address the unique circumstances involving consent in those without capacity or focus on informed consent in the research setting; our focus will be on those patients with full decisionmaking capacity in the clinical setting. I will emphasize the importance of disclosure of treatment options and highlight the benefits of shared-decision-making in the informed consent process.