Ethics in Dentistry: How Ethical Knowledge Shapes a Better Dentist

This essay delves into the critical role of ethics within the field of dentistry, emphasizing how ethical knowledge and adherence to ethical codes are essential for shaping a better dental professional. It highlights the significance of patient involvement, informed consent, and providing pain-free treatment, all of which are integral to the code of ethics. The essay underscores the importance of respecting patient dignity, maintaining confidentiality, and avoiding discrimination based on various factors. Furthermore, it stresses the dentist's responsibility to prioritize patient well-being, be punctual, and remain within the boundaries of their expertise. By adhering to these ethical principles, dentists can foster trust, build strong patient relationships, and uphold the highest standards of professional conduct, ultimately leading to improved patient care and a positive impact on the community. The essay concludes that a strong understanding of ethics is indispensable for any dentist aiming to excel in their profession.

Running head: ETHICS IN DENTISTRY
ETHICS IN DENTISTRY
Name of Student
Name of University
Author Note

1ETHICS IN DENTISTRY
Ethics is branch of philosophy and a study of what is right with the respect to conduct.
Ethics in professional life has always been a vital part in the industry of dentistry and
medicine. Professionals who were young in this business used to learn these ethics from their
mentors during the training period (Practice, 2018). Code of ethics is a branch of study which
includes some rules and regulations. Following these rules can lead to a better dentist. This
essay discusses the importance of ethical knowledge in the field of dentistry and explains
why the application of ethics can make a better dentist. The following paragraphs of the paper
will elucidate the significance of ethics in the field of dentistry and explain how does it make
a better dentist
The profession of a dentist holds a particular point of trust in the society. As a result,
the society allows certain privileges to the profession, which are not available to the members
of other profession. In return, this profession commits the society that the members will
correspond to high ethical codes of conduct. Dentists aim to use their skills and knowledge in
order to maintain the dental health of their patients. They commit to serve the community
beyond their sectional or personal affairs. Dentists’ Code of Ethics provides them certain
values and principles, which help them in decision making in their profession. The Code
provides the members of a branch with a framework. They can access to the framework
whenever they apply their knowledge in their practice. The factors chosen in code of ethics
are such that it provides the best outcome for the patient. . Ethical codes definitely make
better dentists. The importance of ethics in dentistry is as follows.
Patient involvement is an important part of the code of ethics. The patient should be
informed about the proposed treatment beforehand. Any alternatives which would allow the
patient to involve in treatment decisions should be taken into concideration. Befitting and
Pain-free treatment is also an important part of the code of ethics in dentistry. The dentist
decides the kind of treatment given to his patient according to the patients’ age, health and

2ETHICS IN DENTISTRY
conformity with their oral hygiene. This responsibility again depends on the patients’ interest,
cooperation and commitment to reception of the treatment. People would like to be treated by
a dentist who operates smoothly (O'Higgins, 2014). Dentists respect and value the self-
respect and dignity of the patients. Dentists are continuously made aware to handle their
patients with good knowledge of ethics (Kennedy, 2016). Abiding by the code of Ethics acts
as a constant reminder to medical professionals such as dentists and this helps them in better
patient care. The ethical code of conduct acts as a constant reminder to professionals that help
in better fulfillment of their responsibility to the society. This aids in them to make patients
feel comfortable which would lead in easy handling of patients. Patients prefer dentists who
are friendly and who make them comfortable in all medical procedure. According to the code
of ethics dentists are not allowed discriminate their patients on the basis of their religion,
cast, creed, sex, gender, age, health status, life style or their physical attributes (Sorokin,
2017). This too acts as an integral aspect, which differentiates between a good dentist and an
average dentist.
Ethics in dentistry helps in maintaining their professional as well as personal
reputation and fidelity. It is extremely common that patients would take appointment from
dentists who are highly professional and well behaved and who assess patients only with
respect to their medical concerns. The Code of Ethics include that the well-being of a patient
has to be the top priority for a dentist. This helps the dentists to take decisions in a better way
(Thomas, Ripp, & West, 2018). Ethics help the dentist not to be selfish while treating
patients. Suppose a patient needs urgent treatment, the first priority of a dentist should be to
treat the patient. The dentist is not supposed to postpone an appointment due to his personal
reasons unless it is an emergency. Knowledge of Ethics helps the dentists to be sympathetic,
courteous, and friendly and be ready to deal with any patient (Rattan & Waite, 2017). Ethics
help dentist to be kind and sympathetic to patients. Suppose a patient needs teeth to be

3ETHICS IN DENTISTRY
uprooted, dentist is expected to take proper care that the patient does not go through
tremendous pain. The dentist must try to lessen the pain by taking necessary steps. Children
as well as young patients would prefer the dentist whose check up is not painful. A dentist
realizes the importance of punctuality with the help of ethics. A doctor including dentist is
expected to be punctual (Barton & Stossel, 2016). The patients should not be kept waiting for
hours for useless reasons. Everyone would like to go to the dentist who is punctual and
fulfills his appointments.
A principle named patient autonomy expresses a concept that the professionals in
medical field have a responsibility to treat patients according to their desire. A dentist can be
a better one by following the code of ethics, which states to keep the personal information
regarding a patient confidential (Vichayanrat, Luksamijarulkul & Gaewkhiew, 2015). The
information is not hoped be leaked for any reason. A dentist should not discuss his dealings
with patients among his group whatever the situation might be. Ethics provide knowledge to
the dental students regarding participation in community affairs. Following community laws
is also an essential part of ethics. A dentist is not expected to present himself in a misleading
or false manner. They are not supposed to set their fees at such a rate that common people are
not able to afford it (Simonsen, 2014). This knowledge is not acquired from the curriculum
subjects. They are included in the Code of Ethics. Ethics set a limitation for the dentists,
which does not allow them to treat patients beyond their dentistry skill. A dentist is not
expected to give his consent on something improper, untrue or misleading by signing on
papers including the same. According to the Code of ethics, a dentist is constantly reminded
against performing unnecessary services in order to attain monetary gain. Ethics include a
code according to which dentists are not supposed to advertise directly or indirectly in order
to obtain patients. Ethics teach the dentists that accepting any kind of bribe or bonus is
beyond the practices that they are expected to follow.

4ETHICS IN DENTISTRY
From the above essay it can be concluded that the knowledge of Ethics do make a
dentist an ideal dentist. These codes prove to be extremely useful in their professional life.
Following these principles, a dentist can effectively improve and maintain his standard in the
society. It has been understood that diligently abiding by the code of ethical conduct can help
medical practitioners such as dentists to become better in handling their responsibility
towards society and self. This alone is the major aspect that helps in making better dentists.

5ETHICS IN DENTISTRY
References
Barton, D., & Stossel, T. P. (2016). Pediatric Dentists' Knowledge Concerning the Physician
Payments Sunshine Act and Their Predictions of its Effects on Their Interactions with
the Industry and its Impact on Patient Care. Pediatric dentistry, 38(2), 122-126.
Kennedy, G. (2016). The importance of patient dignity in care at the end of life. The Ulster
medical journal, 85(1), 45.
O'Higgins, E. (2014). Ethics and dentistry. Irish Dental Association (IDA).
Practice, I. (2018). Intro to Professional Dental Practice (DENT90060) — The University of
Melbourne Handbook. The University of Melbourne Handbook. Retrieved 25 April
2018, from https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/subjects/dent90060
Rattan, R., & Waite, I. (2017). Vocational training in general dental practice: the handbook
for trainers. CRC Press.
Simonsen, R. J. (2014). Ethics and Advertising. Ethical Decision Making in Dentistry, 119.
Sorokin, P. (2017). Social and cultural dynamics: A study of change in major systems of art,
truth, ethics, law and social relationships. Routledge.
Thomas, L. R., Ripp, J. A., & West, C. P. (2018). Charter on physician well-being. Jama.
Vichayanrat, T, Luksamijarulkul, N & Gaewkhiew, P, (2015). Dental students’ reflections on
their fieldwork experiences.