Patient safety culture in dental clinics: A cross-sectional study in Afghanistan

Healthcare safety is a major global concern since unsafe and low-quality services can lead to poor health outcomes and even harm to patients. Promoting a strong patient safety culture is a prerequisite for improving patient safety. The present study aimed to assess patient safety culture in dental clinics in Herat, Afghanistan in 2024. This cross-sectional study included 210 dental team members selected by random cluster sampling from 7 regions. The assessment tool was the Medical Office Survey on Patient Safety Culture (MOSOPS) modified for use in dentistry. A pilot study confirmed content validity and reliability (Cronbach's alpha > 0.70). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate tests (t-tests and ANOVA), and multiple linear regression to examine associations with patient safety culture. The total patient safety culture score was (0.70 ± 0.10) (on a 0-1 scale), indicating a moderate level. The strongest mean scores were for organizational learning (0.78 ± 0.14) and teamwork (0.77 ± 0.17). The lowest score was observed for office processes and standardization (0.62 ± 0.13). Multiple linear regression revealed that being female (B = 0.031, p = 0.049) and holding a managerial position (B = 0.073, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with higher patient safety culture scores. Overall, patient safety culture was generally favorable, although important organizational gaps remain. Future improvement efforts should focus on standardizing office processes and strengthening information exchange with external healthcare providers. In resource-limited settings such as Afghanistan, feasible interventions including locally adapted protocols, and ongoing managerial support and supervision may further strengthen patient safety culture.