Prevalence, types, and clinical distribution of patient-related violence toward dental students: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate overall exposure to patient-related violence, its types, and its clinical distribution among dental students during clinical training. A total of 129 dental students actively involved in patient care were included. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing overall exposure to patient-related violence and specific verbal, physical, and threat-related behaviors, along with associated factors such as gender and clinical specialty. Overall, 76.0% of participants reported having experienced patient-related violence during their clinical training. Verbal violence was the most common type (51.2%), whereas physical violence was rare (0.8%). Female students reported significantly higher exposure to violence compared to male students (85.6% vs. 53.8%, p < 0.001). Patient-related violence was reported across different clinical specialties, with endodontics being the most frequently reported specialty. Violence most frequently occurred during treatment procedures. A substantial proportion of students reported perceived patient bias, and the most commonly suggested preventive strategies included strengthening legal regulations, improving patient education, and enhancing security measures. These findings indicate that patient-related violence is frequently reported during dental clinical training, with differences observed across participant and clinical characteristics. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach, including improvements in communication training, institutional policies, and protective measures to enhance student safety.