Marketing Strategies and Ethical Dilemmas in Dentistry: A Cross Sectional Study Among Private Dental Practitioners in Delhi NCR

AbstractIntroduction: Dentistry, being one of the healing professions, bears a responsibility to uphold ethical standards that reflect the profession's commitment to society. One such ethical concern is the practice of advertising dental services. While the Dental Council of India (DCI) enforces strict guidelines against advertising in dentistry, evolving professional landscapes and the influence of digital media have prompted a shift in practitioners' attitudes. However, empirical data on dentists' perspectives, especially in the Indian context, is limited.Aim: This study aimed to determine the attitudes and practices regarding marketing strategies among private dental practitioners in Delhi NCR.Materials and Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted involving 220 randomly selected private dental practitioners in the Delhi NCR region. A pre-tested, self structured questionnaire consisting of 23 closed ended questions was self administered. The questionnaire captured demographic details, opinions on advertising, use of marketing strategies, and social media engagement. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20, applying descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests to examine associations.Results: Among the participants, 41.8% were BDS qualified and 55.9% were MDS-qualified. A significant proportion (64.1%) supported advertising of dental services. Years of experience were significantly associated with the adoption of advertising strategies (p=0.000) and the use of social media as a marketing tool (p=0.003). Older practitioners were more likely to agree with and comply with the government's restrictions on advertising (p=0.000).Conclusion: The study indicates a notable shift in dentists' attitudes toward marketing in Delhi NCR, with many no longer viewing advertising as unethical. This reflects a broader tension between traditional professional norms and the modern commercial realities of private dental practice in metropolitan regions.Key Word: Dentist, Marketing, Ethics, Law, DCI.