CONTENTS
Purpose Be a Professional The Professional and . . . Citizenship Scientific literature, Research, Licensure Professional Ethics Review What is meant by “ethics?” Why are ethics important? What are codes of ethics? Should I care more about being legal or being ethical? What is a “profession?” What is a “professional?” What is “professionalism?” Do we really have obligations to patients? Can dentistry be both a business and a profession? What is meant by the “best interests” of our patients? What is “paternalism?” Is good risk management good ethics? What about compromising quality? Ethical Issues of . . . Abuse of prescriptions by patients Access to dental care Advertising Child abuse Competence and judgment Confidentiality Dating patients Delegation of duties Digital communication and social media Disclosure and misrepresentation Emergency care Financial arrangements Harassment Informed consent and refusal Managed care Obligation to treat patients Refraining from treatment Ethical Decision Making Decision Principles, Elements, and Models The ACD Test for Ethical Decisions American College of Dentists Core Values Adopted by the American College of Dentists References, Ethics Resources, Contact iii
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