CULTURAL COMPETENCY AMONGST DENTAL PRACTITIONERS IN MUMBAI - A KAP STUDY.

Abstract

Background: Mumbai consists of culturally diverse people whose views and requirements of the dental treatment vary widely and can be influenced by cultural factors.

The objective: Hence a need was felt to know whether the dentists have knowledge, attitude and appreciate the importance of providing culturally sensitive oral health care to their patients while making oral health care provision.

Basic research design: A cross sectional study design with a self administered structured questionnaire was used which had questions on to knowledge, attitude and practice. 420 dental participants from Mumbai responded to the questionnaire.

Results: It was found that 45% of the participants could not define culturally sensitive oral health care provision. However, more than 95% claimed to provide culturally sensitive health care provision.

Conclusion: The knowledge, attitude and practices of the dental practitioners was found to be poor although they gave importance to cultural competency.