The phenomenological approach in dentistry - a narrative review

Abstract

Purpose

Phenomenology is a branch of philosophy that focuses on human lived experience. Illness including dental diseases can affect this living experience. Within the dental literature, there is very little reported on the use of phenomenology compared to other healthcare sciences. Hence, the aim was to review the literature and provide an overview of various applications of phenomenology in dental research.

Methods

This study was a narrative review using literature in the last 10 years identified by web-based search on PubMed and Scopus using keywords. A total of 33 articles that were closely related to the field and application in dentistry were included. The methodology, main results, and future research recommendations, if applicable, were extracted and reviewed.

Results

The authors in this study had identified several areas such as orofacial pain and pain control research, dental anxiety, dental education, oral healthcare perceptions and access, living with dental diseases and dental treatment experience in which the phenomenological method was used to gain an in-depth understanding of the topic.

Conclusions

There are several advantages of using the phenomenological research method, such as the small sample size needed, the diverse and unique perspective that can be obtained and the ability to improve current understanding, especially from the first-person perspective.

KEYWORDS:

• Phenomenology
• qualitative research
• dentistry
• oral healthcare
• individual perceptions
• experience

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Ramprasad Vasthare

Ramprasad Vasthare, MDS Professor and Head, Dept of Public Health Dentistry, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal. Faculty Advisor at Manipal FAIMER International institute for leadership in Inter Professional Education, (MFIILIPE), MAHE. PhD guide for ICMR-NCS scheme. Areas of Interest: Geriatric Oral health, Tobacco Cessation, Epidemiology, Nutrition, Research Methodology, Behavioral Sciences, Ethics, Dental Education. Areas of Expertise: Tobacco Cessation, Bioethics, Interprofessional / interdisciplinary projects. Areas of Research: Dental Educational Environment, Nicotine dependence assessment, Population studies - needs and rehabilitation, Geriatric oral health, Tobacco Cessation. Total publications: 20

Arron Lim Y R

Arron Lim Y R, BDS (MDS) Senior Resident, Department of Orthodontics, National University of Malaysia, Malaysia. Has published: Mohammed, C. A., Narsipur, S., Vasthare, R., Singla, N., Yan Ran, A. L., $ Suryanarayana, J. P. (2021). Attitude towards shared learning activities and interprofessional education among dental students in south india. European Journal of Dental Education, 25(1), 159-167. doi:10.1111/eje.12586

Aayushi Bagga

Aayushi Bagga, BDS (MPH) Is a Graduate student in Master of Public Health, The University of Melbourne, Australia.

Prajna P. Nayak

Prajna P Nayak, MDS Associate Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education. Areas of Interest: Epidemiology; Health informatics, Qualitative studies. Areas of Expertise: Oral Epidemiology, interprofessional education. Areas of Research: Clinical trials; Spatial epidemiology and geo-mapping. Total publications: 23

Bhargav Bhat

Bhargav Bhat, (MDS) is a Post Graduate student, Dept of Public Health Dentistry, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal.

Sahana S

Sahana S, BDS Is a Tutor, Dept of Public Health Dentistry, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka, India.