Dental practitionersrsquo; comprehension of dental insurance policies: A cross-sectional study among dentists in India

Abstract

Background: Dental insurance is vital for ensuring access to affordable dental care, yet the awareness and understanding of dental insurance among dental practitioners is inconsistent. This study aims to assess dental practitioners' awareness of dental insurance in Chennai, India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from August to October 2024, involving 161 dental practitioners selected via convenience sampling method. Data was collected through an online questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS. Results: The majority (75.2%) of participants were somewhat familiar with dental insurance, but only 5% participated in any insurance scheme. While 89.4% acknowledged the importance of understanding dental insurance, 97.45% had not attended any related professional development courses. Many misconceptions were observed, with 34.8% believing all plans offer the same coverage. Conclusions: Awareness of dental insurance among dental practitioners is moderate, but significant gaps in knowledge, misconceptions, and lack of formal training exist. Collaboration between government, insurance providers, and dental practitioners is essential for improving awareness and utilization.