Beyond the Clinic: Social Responsibility and the Ethical Reconfiguration of Dental Education

Methods: A descriptive-correlational, quantitative study was conducted with a sample of 27 final-year dental students at a public university in Peru. Data were collected using the validated Health Social Responsibility Scale (HSRS), covering four dimensions: ethical commitment, environmental responsibility, community engagement, and training in social responsibility. Statistical analysis included Pearson’s correlation and multiple linear regression. Conclusion: While academic programs appear effective in fostering ethical and environmental awareness, they fall short in motivating practical civic engagement. The findings call for pedagogical innovations, practicalopportunities, and institutional incentives to strengthen students’ involvement in public health. A more transformative, community-centered, and ecologically conscious dental education is needed to meet the social demands of the profession in the 21st century.