Exploring Dentists’ Views on Professionalism and Identity Formation: A Template Analysis Study

This study emphasizes the need for a strategic approach to foster professionalism in dental education, including enhanced professionalism training, promoting professional behavior in dental practice, and potentially revising licensing and oversight frameworks. Future research could examine broader contextual effects, such as regional or cultural influence on professional identity, to develop a more holistic understanding of professionalism in dentistry. These insights can inform dental educators in refining curricula to ensure that dentists provide patient care that adheres to the highest ethical and caring standards.Knowledge Transfer Statement:This study explores how practicing dentists in Canada understand professionalism and form their professional identities, revealing gaps in ethics training, interprofessional collaboration, and workplace support. It highlights a gap in improved professionalism education and institutional oversight. Dental educators, regulators, and policymakers can use these insights to revise dental curricula, ensuring that future dentists are better equipped to navigate ethical challenges and deliver patient-centered care grounded in strong professional values.