Folk Dentists Voicing their Plight-An Ethnographic Exploration

Madhur Mrinal¹, Sarbjeet Khurana², Mehak Segan³, Rajeev Janardan⁴ and PK Upadhyay⁵*

Published: July 20, 2022

DOI: 10.55162/MCMS.03.056

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Abstract  

An ethnographic study of folk dentists was conducted in Delhi. Ten case studies of folk dentists and their patients were analysed for various domains of content analysis (CA). Data were collected through mixed method of data collection with some basic research questions guide for the folk dentists and patients during the COVID-19 partial lockdown period in Delhi. The CA for primary cases, secondary cases and for patients was analysed for various domains. Results reveal various aspects of their practices and issues on roadside assets in clinic, health and hygiene, family traditions, pride in work, income/economics, duration of their practices and uncertainties. Similarly, patients were analysed for their views on cheap services, health and hygiene, easily approachable folk experiences and quality of services. The researchers illuminated the policy issues of folk or traditional dentists practicing in a metropolitan city and their patients’ perspectives for their dental public health concerns and have made some recommendations to their salient voice.

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