Assessment of Empathy Levels in Dental Hygiene Students and Interns

NCT06873230 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: 421109786capstone Project
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 200
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Empathy is a crucial element in the practice of dentistry, significantly influencing patient satisfaction and treatment outcomes. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of empathy in healthcare, suggesting that it is essential for effective clinician-patient communication and overall quality of care. Despite its recognized value, there is a concerning trend of declining empathy levels among dental students as they progress through their education. This decline may adversely affect their ability to connect with patients, ultimately impacting the quality of dental care provided. In Saudi Arabia, research on empathy within dental education remains limited. A study conducted at King Abdulaziz University indicated that while dental students exhibited a sense of moral obligation, their overall empathy scores were lower than anticipated1. Furthermore, factors such as gender and academic year were found to influence empathy levels, with female students generally scoring higher than their male counterparts. Another study from Dammam reported similar findings, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to enhance empathy among dental students and interns. This proposed cross-sectional study aims to assess empathy levels among dental hygiene students and interns in Saudi Arabia. By utilizing the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Profession Students (JSE-HPS), this research will explore how demographic factors such as age, gender, and academic year correlate with empathy scores. The insights gained from this study could inform curriculum development and training programs aimed at fostering empathetic communication skills among future dental professionals.

Conditions

Empathy

Keywords

Empathy; Dental Hygiene Students; Saudi Arabia

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Overall Empathy Score

  The main outcome is the quantitative measure of empathy using the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Profession Students (JSE-HPS). This involves: Total Score: A composite score derived from all 20 items on the JSE-HPS, which reflects the overall empathy level of each participant.

  The observational study will involve data collection from participants between March and May 2025, with a total study duration of two months.

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Demographic Correlations

  The observational study will involve data collection from participants between March and May 2025, with a total study duration of two months.

Study Arms (1)

Dental hygiene students and interns in Saudi Arabia

This research will employ a cross-sectional study design to assess empathy levels among dental hygiene students and interns in Saudi Arabia. The study will utilize the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Profession Students (JSE-HPS). Inclusion criteria: 1. Dental hygiene students enrolled in accredited programs in Saudi Arabia. 2. Dental hygiene interns currently working in dental clinics in Saudi Arabia. 3. Dental hygiene students \& interns who provide consent to participate in this online survey-based study. Exclusion criteria: 1. Dental hygiene post-graduation student. 2. Student who discontinued the program. 3. Participants with any diagnosed neurological or psychiatric conditions that may significantly impact empathy (e.g., dementia, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder). 4. Participants who have previously participated in similar research studies within the past 12 months. 5. Dental hygiene students \& interns who withdraw consent at any point during the study.

Other: The study will utilize the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Profession Students (JSE-HPS) as the primary instrument for measuring empathy.

Interventions

The study will utilize the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Profession Students (JSE-HPS) as the primary instrument for measuring empathy. OTHER

This cross-sectional observational study utilizes the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Profession Students (JSE-HPS) as the primary instrument for measuring empathy, distinguishing itself as the first of its kind to be conducted among Dental Hygiene students and interns in Saudi Arabia. The unique focus on this specific population in the Saudi context sets this research apart from previous studies in the field.

Dental hygiene students and interns in Saudi Arabia

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The population of interest for this study comprises dental hygiene students and interns enrolled in dental hygiene programs across Saudi Arabia.

You may qualify if:

• Dental hygiene students enrolled in accredited programs in Saudi Arabia.
• Dental hygiene interns currently working in dental clinics in Saudi Arabia.
• Dental hygiene students \& interns who provide consent to participate in this online survey-based study.

You may not qualify if:

• Dental hygiene post-graduation student.
• Student who discontinued the program.
• Participants with any diagnosed neurological or psychiatric conditions that may significantly impact empathy (e.g., dementia, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder).
• Participants who have previously participated in similar research studies within the past 12 months.
• Dental hygiene students \& interns who withdraw consent at any point during the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Qassim University: lead

Related Publications (3)

• Banu AM, Ursoniu S, Gotia SL, Putnoky S, Serban CL. Understanding empathy and theory of mind in Romanian dental students for improved educational strategies. Sci Rep. 2025 Jan 31;15(1):3880. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-88264-1.

  PMID: 39890985 BACKGROUND

• Collins DM, Iannucci JM, Townsend JA, Kearney RC. Predictors of Empathy Among Dental Hygiene Undergraduate Students. J Dent Hyg. 2024 Aug;98(4):20-27.

  PMID: 39137992 BACKGROUND

• Detsomboonrat P, Theppanich S, Banyen S, Hongviphat S, Khamnil Y, Lapauthaya K, Somboonsavatdee A, Min SN. Empathy level towards patients among thai dental students: a cross-sectional study. BMC Oral Health. 2023 Mar 30;23(1):184. doi: 10.1186/s12903-023-02891-6.

  PMID: 36997938 BACKGROUND

Central Study Contacts

Mr Khaled Muhammad Sabeel Al-Jumaili Al-Harbi Chief Researcher of Capstone Project

CONTACT

+966 531476028; 421109786@qu.edu.sa

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 5, 2025
• First Posted: March 12, 2025
• Study Start: March 28, 2025
• Primary Completion: May 10, 2025
• Study Completion: May 13, 2025
• Last Updated: March 20, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-03