Factors influencing the professional reputation of dentistry in Türkiye: developing a new scale for dentists’ perceptions

Dentistry has limited influence within the healthcare sector, but professional ethics, quality care, and continuous education are essential to improving its reputation. Workplace violence and bullying can negatively affect dentists’ job satisfaction and public image. Therefore, promoting professional development and safe work environments is crucial. This study aims to develop a reliable scale for assessing dentists’ perceptions of their professional reputation. This survey-based research investigates factors influencing the professional reputation of dentistry in Türkiye. Questions were developed through a literature review and expert consultations. In 2024, 21 meetings were held to refine the questions, which were reduced from 75 to 25 after a pilot study. The final survey was distributed to dentists across Türkiye, with 343 responses statistically analyzed. Of the 343 participants, 56.9% were women, and most worked in private institutions (52.2%). A majority (63.6%) considered their profession reputable. Factor analysis identified five key influences on dental reputation: socio-economic conditions, professional training, migration tendencies, career regret, and gaps in healthcare legislation. The final 12 Likert-scale questions explained 51.8% of the variance in professional reputation. The study emphasizes the need for policy changes to improve working conditions, education, and legal frameworks, enhancing the profession’s standing and public trust.