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. 2015 Jul-Sep;4(3):347-51.
doi: 10.4103/2249-4863.161314.

Knowledge and awareness of Consumer Protection Act among private dentists in Tricity, Punjab

Ramandeep Singh Gambhir  1 , Jagjit Singh Dhaliwal  2 , Samir Anand  3 , Arvind Bhardwaj  2
Affiliations

Knowledge and awareness of Consumer Protection Act among private dentists in Tricity, Punjab

Ramandeep Singh Gambhir et al. J Family Med Prim Care. 2015 Jul-Sep.

Abstract

Background: Consumer Protection Act (CPA) aims to protect the interests of the patients in case of any unethical treatment rendered by a medical or a dental health professional. The present study was conducted to assess knowledge and awareness of CPA among dental professionals in a Tricity in India.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 265 private dental practitioners in Tricity. A close-ended self-structured questionnaire was administered which contained 15 questions on knowledge and awareness regarding CPA. Categorization of knowledge scores was done at three levels-low, medium and high. Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA and Student t-test.

Results: 54.7% (145) of subjects were having low knowledge scores, 23.3% (62) had a medium score and 21.8% (58) had a high score. Mean knowledge score according to educational level was statistically significant (P<0.05), whereas there was no significant difference in case of gender and type of practice (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that majority of the subjects were aware of the existence of CPA but knowledge regarding basic rules and regulations was lacking in few studies. Therefore, dental professionals need to keep them updated of various rules and latest amendments to save themselves from any litigation.

Keywords: Awareness; Consumer Protection Act; consent; dental profession; knowledge.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Participants’ response of various questions regarding CPA
Figure 2
Figure 2
Knowledge level regarding CPA among graduates and postgraduates
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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