Assessment of knowledge on clinical errors among dental practitioners and dental students in Tiruvallur: A cross-sectional study

Aim: This study aims to assess the knowledge on clinical errors among dental practitioners and dental students in Tiruvallur. Background: Improved patient safety, less treatment errors, and higher quality care are the goals of the relatively new field of patient safety. The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the knowledge of dental practitioners and students in Tiruvallur regarding clinical errors. Materials and Methods: A total of 305 dental practitioners and students in Tiruvallur participated in the cross-sectional survey that is the subject of this study. A pre-tested, self-structured, closed-ended questionnaire consisting of 16 questions was administered. A Google Form was used to create the questions, which were then distributed online to dental students. Dentists were also asked to fill out the form when they were approached in their clinics. Version 20 of the SPSS software was used to collect data and perform statistical analysis. Results: A total of 305 dental students and practitioners in Tiruvallur have participated in the study, of which 43.3% of participants were interns, 23% were third years, 14.8% were dental practitioners, 9.5% were final years, and 9.2% were postgraduates. About 83% of the participants stated that clinical error is a mistake that occurs in either patient treatment, patient diagnosis, or patient communication. Conclusion: The study highlights that a significant proportion of dental practitioners and students in Tiruvallur District possess an understanding of clinical errors. However, the varying levels of awareness among different groups indicate the need for enhanced training and educational programs on patient safety and error prevention. Strengthening knowledge on clinical errors through curriculum improvements, workshops, and continuous professional education can further minimize errors, improve patient safety, and enhance the overall quality of dental care.