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 Ethics

Greek Word ethos meaning custom or

character, more of fixed type and used in
the context of man’s character.

Ethics deal with customs not conventions.

Conduct is judged as right if one abides by

the custom and wrong if deviates from it.
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ETHICS AND HUMAN CONDUCT
Professional code of ethics are statements
encompassing the rules that apply to
persons in professional roles.

It specifies professional etiquette or

conduct between professional groups and
stresses universal moral principles.

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Definition
Ethics is defined as a branch of
philosophy that deals with thinking about
morality, moral problems and moral
judgements.

Dental Ethics would mean moral duties

and obligations of dentist towards his
patients, professional colleagues and to
the society.
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They help support autonomy and self
determination

Protect the vulnerable

Promote the welfare and equality of human

beings

They focus primarily on individuals rights

and duties.
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History
The ‘Hippocratic Oath’ – by
Hippocrates (Father of medicine) in 4 th
century BC.
It has been regarded as summing of a
standard of professional ethics

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Often health care practitioners are
confronted with certain situations where
decision making becomes difficult.

Knowing and understanding certain

principles of ethics definitely helps in
choosing the right course of action.

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 Principles of ethics
Principles of ethics for the dental profession
are that “the dentist should act in a manner
which will enhance the prestige and reputation
of the profession”.

They provide guidance and offer justification

for the code of professional conduct and the
advisory opinions.

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Principles of ethics
Principles of ethics are as follows:
1. To do no harm (non- maleficence)
2. To do good (beneficence)
3. Respect for persons (autonomy)
4. Justice
5. Veracity (truthfulness)
6. Confidentiality
7. Fidelity

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I. To do no harm (non- maleficence)
 Foundation of social morality
 The first and foremost duty of the
healthcare professional is to ensure that
his actions do not harm to the patients in
any way.

Instances which can harm the patients

are:
 Use of unsterilized instruments
 Under filling or overfilling
 Carelessness in handling hard and soft
tissues of the mouth
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To do no harm (non- maleficence)
Can be achieved by:
 Education (CDE programs, Workshops)
 Consultation and Referral
 Second opinion
 Ability to practice

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 2. To do good (beneficence)
 The health care professional, before instituting any
action or care should question himself whether such
actions will help patient to recover or to perform his
functions better or not.

 Dentist’s duty is to promote the patient’s welfare by

providing competent and timely delivery of dental care.

 Attempts should be to maximize the benefit and

minimize harm.

 Place the interest of the patient above his own

(dentist’s) interest.
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3. Respect for persons (autonomy)
 This emphasizes that health care professional respect the
patient’s right to make decision concerning the
treatment plan.

 If there are more than two treatment strategies, explain

the pros and cons and let the patients decide.

 Considerationshould be given to the patient’s need,

desires and abilities and safeguarding the patient’s
privacy.

 Informed consent should be obtained before any care is

instituted. 14
Informed Consent
The health care professional has to ensure
that consent is obtained before any care is
instituted.
Information given should be easily
understood facilitating the patient to make
a voluntary consent.
In case of minors, parents or legal
guardians can grant the consent for the
care.
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The four attributes without which a consent
cannot be considered valid are:

◦ Voluntary- Consent should not be obtained with

bribery, or misinformation.

◦ Legally competent- The process of informed

consent empowers subjects to pursue and
protect their own interests.

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◦ Informed - Information is presented to the
subject by the investigator.

◦ Comprehending- the subject must satisfy

himself or herself that he or she understands
and based upon this understanding either
agrees or refuses to accept the treatment.

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4. Justice (Fairness)
 It is often described as fairness or equal treatment
to all irrespective of cast, class, Socioeconomic
status etc.

 Justicedemands that each person should be treated

equally.

 Dentist can provide some free or discounted care

in their office to those who are really needy or
donate some time to clinics for low income
patients.
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5. Truthfulness(Veracity)
Dentist has a duty to communicate truthfully.

The patient-doctor relationship is based on

trust. Lying shows disrespect to the patient
and threatens relationship.

Patient expect dentist to be truthful about the

information given, treatment rendered and
the prognosis.

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6. Confidentiality
Dental professional have a legal and ethical
duty to keep patient information
confidential.

It comprises preservation of all information

concerning patient, his/her disease and
treatment.

Confidential information should be kept in

a secure place at all times to prevent
unauthorized and accidental disclosure. 20
 7. Fidelity
It is the obligation to keep implied or
explicit promises.

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It can be overruled when :
 It is legally required.
 When protecting the patient would be more
important than the confidential information
related to patient’s self destruction wishes or
efforts.
 When protection of other individuals may
overweigh the confidential information of
infectious diseases in the patient.
 In certain cases law requires diseases such as
tuberculosis, venereal diseases have to be
reported regardless of the confidential nature of
the information
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Code of Ethics for dentists by Dental
Council of India
In India the Dentist Act was amended via
section 17A empowering Dental Council of
India to prescribe standard of professional
conduct and etiquette.

The code of ethics was framed by Dental

Council in 1975 and later notified by
Government of India as “Dentists (code of
ethics) Regulation 1976”
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Ethical Rule For Dentists
(Prescribed by the DCI)

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 1. The duties & obligations of dentists
towards the patients
 Dentist should be
courteous, sympathetic,
friendly and helpful.

 He should observe punctuality in fulfilling his

appointments.

 He should establish a well merited reputation for

professional ability and fidelity.
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 Welfare of the patient should be to the utmost of the
practitioner’s ability.

A dentist should not permit considerations of

religion, nationality, race, party politics to intervene
between his duties and his patients.

 Information of a personal nature about the patient

should be kept in the utmost confidence.

 Itis also the obligation of the dentist to see that his

auxiliary staff has observed the rules.
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2.Duties of Dentists towards one
another:
Every dentist should cherish a proper
pride in his/her colleagues and should not
disparage them either by act or word.

When one dentist is entrusted with the

care of patient of another dentist during
sickness or absence, mutual arrangements
should be made during remuneration.

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A dentist called upon in any emergency to treat
the patient of another dentist, should, when the
emergency is provided for, retire in favour of
the regular dentist but shall be entitled to charge
the patient for his service.

 Ifa dentist is consulted by the patient of another

dentist and the former finds that the patient is
suffering from previous faulty treatment it is his
duty to institute correct treatment at once with
as little comment as possible to avoid reflection
on his predecessor.
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3. Duties of the dentist towards
public

1. Dentist has to assume a leadership role

in the community on matters related to
dental health.

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2.Policies and law courts:
1. A dentist is not bound to disclose professional
secrets unless called upon by the magistrate or judge
to do so .

2. Knowledge of the patients gained in the course of

examination and treatment is privileged and should
not be disclosed without the consent of the patient or
an order from the presiding judge in a Court Of Law.

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Some unethical practices:
Practice by unregistered persons
employed by the dentists.
Dentist advertising whether directly or
indirectly, for the purpose of obtaining
patients or promoting his own
Professional advantage.
Use of bogus diplomas etc.

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Allowing commission
Paying or accepting commission.
Undercutting of charges in order to solicit
patients.
If the planned treatment is beyond the dentist’s
skill, the patient is not referred to a consultant.
During the temporary absence of the patient’s
dentist, temporary service is provided and the
patient is not sent back.
If consulted, the dentist accept charge of the
case without request of the referring dentist.
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CONCLUSION:
Ethic form the important dimension of a
profession.

The Code of ethics prescribed by

regulatory bodies as well professional
associations act as guiding light in
distinguishing between the right and wrong,
observing one’s duties and maintaining
good interpersonal relationship .

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It should be remembered that professional
exists as long as it enjoys the trust of the
society and this can be assured by always
placing the interest of the patient above one’s
interest.

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Thank You

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