Perception of Interns Regarding Influence of Dressing on Professional Performance at Workplace in Dentistry

BACKGROUND: In a health-care setup, interpersonal communication plays a pivotal role in the attainment of professional outcomes. Dressing is an indirect mode of communication. Since ancient times, it is assumed that doctor's clothing have a positive effect on the minds of patients. This survey evaluates the perception of interns from dental sciences regarding the impact of dressing on professional performance at workplace. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A self-designed questionnaire was distributed among a batch of interns who were willing to participate in the survey. Seventy-six interns returned the responses which were complete without any duplication. All the survey forms were scrutinized and the data were collated. Qualitative analysis of the assembled data was performed to evaluate intern's perception about the association between dressing and professional performance at workplace. RESULTS: Results of the survey demonstrated that 81.6% of the participants dress up to work as per their temperament. About 65.8% of the participants believed that dental professionals should choose formal wear for workplace settings. Majority of the participants, i.e., 67.1%, believed that dressing affects perception on personality traits such as dignity and character of a professional. A wide number of interns perceived that dressing alters the behavior of self, patients, and colleagues (55.3%, 71.1%, and 68.4%, respectively). The result of this survey also showed a positive correlation between dressing and professional traits such as confidence, responsibility, and efficiency (75.0%, 63.2%, and 63.2%, respectively). Notably, 55.3% opined against enforcing a dress code for dental institutions/dental offices. CONCLUSION: The result of the study represents the positive influence of dressing on professional performance at workplace in dentistry as perceived by interns from the faculty of dental sciences.