Prompt #2 Defining Ethics

Hello, today I will be talking about the American Dental Association code of ethics  a specific topic that I find quite interesting. The code of ethics states many important rules that each practice should abide by. For a quick summary, the American Dental Association code of ethics contains five sections that are broken into multiple sub-categories. The five sections are: Patient Autonomy, Nonmaleficence, Beneficence, Justice, and Veracity. Each of these categories are extremely important to the way a dental office is run, how patients are treated, and how privacy of the patients’ documents is protected.  The section I find the most interesting and important is Sections one: Patient Autonomy.

Patient Autonomy may be the most basic but the most important. It states that “The dentist has a duty to respect the patient’s rights to self-determination and confidentiality” (ada.org). This simply means that if I were to go to the dentist  and they determine that I needed all of my teeth pulled they cannot just start pulling teeth without my permission.  Your dentist only has the right to suggest treatments and procedures that may benefit you as a patient but they cannot perform and treatment or procedure without your permission. Given how pervasive the fear of going to the dentist is already, many people, including myself, would not go to the dentist due to fear of total oral destruction and the thousands of dollars that would be spent where if not for this rule.  

Section one further explains that “Dentists are obliged to safeguard the confidentiality of patient records” (ada.org). This is another crucial rule that keeps your files safe and confidential between  you and your dentist. This is very important - imagine if your boss saw your dental records and was aware of all the procedures you have had to your. He or she could form an opinion on you, your dental habits and even your overall health. Assuming that your boss is not a dentist this can be very dangerous, especially given the high premiums on health insurance you could be labeled a high risk. It could theoretically cost you your job!  This sort of scenarios really strikes home with me since I had a lot of cavities and root canals as a kid because of being on antibiotics for long periods of time due to chronic ear infections. My history certainly does not mean that I have black gums and crooked teeth or that I am otherwise in poor health! Thanks to the ADA code of ethics, my mouth full of metal is a secret shared only by me and my dentist -oops, until now. These codes correspond with my own code of ethics. I do not like someone telling me what to do, I like to make an informed decision and I do not like people in my business. Having the choice to receive a treatment and the privacy of your personal records fall in the category of basic human rights. Prior to writing this blog, I personally never read the ADA code of ethics. I asked several friends and family if they were familiar with it and they all said no. I really don’t think that many people know it exists! Unfortunately many people do not see their dentist as someone as their best interest at heart. In fact many people see the dentist office as a business that is out to to make as much money as possible.    In many ways I think the negative perception of dentists and dentistry is due to fear, but it is real and needs to be addressed in order to have a patient/doctor relationship that is built on mutual trust.  The code of ethics is key in building this trust.  

Ideally, all dental patients would make themselves familiar with the ADA code of conduct, after all it is important to be an educated consumer; especially when it comes to one’s health and well being. Unfortunately, that is just not likely to happen. For that reason  I think it is important that all dentists make their patients aware of the code and how it is followed in their practice. It should also be posted in waiting areas and mentioned to any new patient to the practice. As a dentist it is important to build a trusting relationship with patients in order to alleviate fear of basic dental work.  I feel that giving patients the basic knowledge of how a dental office should be run as well as their rights as a patient and a consumer is a great place to start building this relationship. I know that I will utilize this valuable tool in my practice and use as the base for my patient care.  

So if you are going to the dentist, make sure to pay attention and ask yourself if your dentist is following these basic guidelines for ethical behavior. If you answer is no, perhaps it is time to find a new dentist.     

Thank you and I will see you next week!  

Robert Mora