Dental Ethics Questions

A dentist is a recognized professional. As the American College of Dentists (ACD) handbook points out, a professional is a person with special knowledge and skills that he or she uses to benefit the public, regardless of financial gain. A dentist must continually ask ethical questions of himself concerning such issues as pricing, treatment, doctor-patient relations and staff assignments for specific tasks, always keeping in mind the principle of professionalism.

How Should I Handle Fees?

• Although no set guidelines are in place for how much you should charge your patients as a dentist, the American College of Dentists handbook points out that the fees you charge should be consistent and fair. You must charge the same fees to one patient as you do any other. Also, as an ethical practitioner, you must give enough information to a patient so that he can make an informed decision regarding how you intend to collect your money, whether immediately or at a later date.

Should I Resort to Paternalism?

• It is a breach of ethics for you as a dentist to make a decision on a patient's behalf because you personally feel that a patient is incapable of making his own decisions. However, what you are professionally obligated to do is to educate the patient concerning all the risks involved with the treatment you are recommending--or the procedure the patient may want. As the ACD Handbook points out, if a patient is not competent to make her own medical decisions, you must seek the person who makes those decisions on her behalf and explain to that individual the treatment and whatever risks may be associated with it.

Should I Date a Patient?

• As the Dental Learning website points out, it's best to keep personal relationships and professional relationships separate. The degree of emotionalism involved in a personal relationship can, indeed, compromise your ability as the dentist to make the best, most objective, decision regarding that patient's care. According to the DL website, if you feel the need to enter into such a relationship with a client, it behooves you to recuse yourself of your dental responsibilities to that patient.

When Should I Compromise Patient Privacy?

• According to the New York State Education website, you must not disclose any "personally identifiable" information on any client, except on a need-to-know basis, and even then subject to the laws of your state. However, as the American College of Dentists website points out, you must report any evidence of child abuse you find in the treatment of a child to the proper Department of Human Services, or Child Protective, authorities in your state.