Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development
  • Year: 2019
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue: 11

Knowledge about Consumer Protection Act and Informed Consent among Dental Students

1Under graduate Student, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai

2Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai

*Corresponding author: L. Leelavathi, Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, No. 162, Poonamalle High Road, Chennai-600077, Tamil Nadu, India. Email: karleela81@gmail.com, Contact no: 8220870849

Online published on 27 March, 2020.

Abstract

Doctor and patient's relationship is always based on trust and confidence. In today's world patients have become more aware of their right-legal literacy. The dental profession requires knowledge and skill which serves the individuals. It's the responsibility of the dental health professional to provide accurate health services to the patients and the society.

To assess the knowledge about consumer protection act and informed consent among dental students.

A total of 198 dental students were taken into study. A questionnaire consisting of 18 questions was framed and was circulated using online survey link. The results were tabulated and analysed.

About 8% of the students have told immigrants does not require consent form and 39% have said both verbal and thumbprint as consent for illiterate people. At about 11% have said they are not aware about professional indemnity insurance. While 39% have said both verbal and thumbprint as consent for illiterate people.

The results showed that the dental students had an average knowledge on CPA and informed consent while their knowledge was below average about professional indemnity insurance. Majority had awareness regarding CPA but practice of taking consent and utilisation of professional indemnity insurance among dental students were less than adequate.

Keywords

Informed consent, consumer protection act, indemnity insurance, dentists, legal literacy