Analysis of the knowledge on Legal and Forensic Dentistry and Health Legislation and Regulations by Dentists and Stomatologists in the Valencian Community and its relationship with five background factors

Abstract The main objective of this study is to analyse the background and knowledge of Spanish dentists and stomatologists registered in Alicante, Castellón and Valencia, the three provinces that make up the Valencian Community, with regard to forensic dentistry and the current Spanish health legislation and regulations, and to try to quantify the relationship between level of training, specialisation, work experience, position and workplace, and degree of knowledge.An anonymous survey was designed and validated, consisting of thirty-three multiple-choice questions. The survey included questions regarding their professional background and key questions regarding current dental law, forensic science and expertise. Members' level of knowledge of legal and forensic dentistry, health legislation and regulations in the Valencian Community is moderate, with only 63% of the questions answered correctly. Neither their level of education nor work experience correlates significantly with their degree of knowledge. Dentists specialising in General and Aesthetics Dentistry were found to be more knowledgeable about ethical issues. Regarding the workplace, those working as university teachers tended to stand out from the other professionals in terms of legal and ethical knowledge whilst self-employed and employee dentists show a lower level of knowledge than the rest of the sample.The conclusions obtained from this study highlight the need for dentists to complete and update their knowledge of forensic science and current health legislation, as having proper knowledge is a means of avoiding possible legal problems, which not only means better legal protection for the dentist but is also a means of guaranteeing adequate patient care.