Difference in the empathy of undergraduate dental student clinicians

Abstract

Objectives: Empathy has always been a silent factor in the success of a dental practice, but it is seldom emphasized in classes or in clinics. This study seeks to compare the difference in empathy of the undergraduate dental student clinicians based on clinical level and gender. Material and Methods: The study was conducted in a Philippine dental school, which produces a significant number of graduates every year and is one of the oldest, thus considered as one of the pioneers of dental education. The Jefferson Scale of Empathy–Health Profession Students Version questionnaire consists of 20 questions that use a 7-point Likert-type scale to measure respondents’ answers (1 = strongly disagree to 7 = strongly agree). It was placed in Google Forms and disseminated to the undergraduate student clinicians through the official social group platforms of their respective clinic year levels. The total score of each respondent was interpreted using a scale ranging from 20 to 140, with a higher score denoting a higher level of empathy. Results: The study included 231 undergraduate student clinicians, 45 of whom were male and 186 of whom were female. Fifty-seven student clinicians represented clinic level one, 94 clinicians represented clinic level two, 41 clinicians represented clinic level three, and 39 clinicians represented clinic level four. The results showed that there is no variation in the empathy scores according to the clinic year level, analysis of variance F = 1.468, P = 0.22. Females scored higher (M = 112.17, standard deviation [SD] = 11.02) than males (M = 106.36, SD = 12.97), t-test F = 1.735, P = 0.04 (two-tailed). Conclusion: Empathy based on the clinic year level of the undergraduate dental student clinicians showed no difference. However, it revealed that females scored higher than males.