Definitional analysis of the concept of deontological culture of future dentists

Abstract

The objective of the study is to analyze the concept of “deontological culture” in terms of its formation in future dentists in higher medical education institutions of Ukraine. The relevance of the topic is due to the transformations in the health care system and the intensive technological development of the medical industry, which pose significant challenges to the system of ethical regulation.

The purpose of the study is to theoretically substantiate the approaches to defining the category “deontological culture of future dentists” and to identify areas for its formation in the system of higher medical education, taking into account current challenges and educational strategic goals of the development of professional education and training in Ukraine. Methods. The theoretical basis of the study is the works of domestic and foreign scientists who characterize the categories of “ethics”, “morality”, ‘deontology’, “professional culture” in the context of defining the concept of “deontological culture of specialists” and highlight the theoretical and practical aspects of the formation of deontological culture of future dentists in the process of professional training. The following methods were used: analysis (to evaluate approaches to the definition of the category “deontological culture”), system and structural (to identify internal links between the elements of deontological culture and the process of professional training), generalizing (to formulate conclusions based on theoretical and practical developments), content analysis (to develop regulatory documents). Results. In the course of the study, the concepts of “culture”, “professional culture”, “ethics”, “morality”, ‘deontology’ and their interrelation and subordination in the understanding of the category “deontological culture of dentists” have been analyzed. It has been determined that deontological culture is an integral component of the professional culture of an individual, which is an integrative formation that is formed in the process of professional development of a specialist and is based on the assimilation of a value and normative system that defines moral and ethical guidelines and regulates behavior in accordance with social expectations and standards of professional ethics. It has been proven that the deontological culture of dentists is a fundamental component of their professional competence, which combines a system of ethical principles, professional values and practical competencies necessary for morally sound professional activity. Conclusions. The formation of the deontological culture of future dentists is a comprehensive process that includes external pedagogical influences and the internal work of a specialist in understanding and applying ethical norms in the context of the need to balance clinical feasibility, aesthetic needs of patients and economic factors.