PAPAG DMD3A

PRACTICE MANAGEMENT AND ENTREP decisions concerning the treatment plan

LESSON 001
ETHICS (Greek; “ethos” = custom or character)
DENTAL ETHICS: simply means moral duties and
obligations of the dentists towards patients,
professional colleagues and society
- an autonomous person is the one capable of
deliberation about personal goals and acting
under the direction of such deliberations
- dentists usually try to direct the patient towards a
particular mode of treatment by stressing only
over the advantages rather than mentioning
disadvantages

HIPPOCRATIC OATH: first ethical standards given b.) informed consent

by Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, in the 4th
BC
6 ETHICAL PRINCIPLES
1. TO DO NO HARM (NON-MALIFICENCE)
2. TO DO GOOD (BENEFICENCE)
3. RESPECT THE PERSON
4. JUSTICE
5. VERACITY OR TRUTHFULNESS
6. CONFIDENTIALITY
*to do no harm (non-malificence)
- considered to be the foundation of social morality
even though dental professionals know they tend
to break rules
- iatrogenic disease = doctor induced illness
- when patient is in pain, the doctor should attempt
to minimize the pain if not alternative minimal
treatment or no treatment is to be given
- is a two step process, firstly information is
presented to the patient by doctor, secondly the
patient satisfies himself or herself that he/she
understands and based upon this understanding
either agrees or refuses to undergo the treatment
- description of:
- procedures to be carried out
- foreseeable risks or discomforts to the
subject
- reasonably expected benefits from the
treatment
- a statement that the patient has understood the
procedure and is willing to undergo the treatment
- the signature of the patient and a witness
*justice- described as fairness or equal treatment,
giving to each her or his right or due
- its difficult to provide to provide well distributed
health care amongst people

*record keeping- medical clearance must be filled *truthfulness- the patient- doctor relationship is
with the patients dental records and must be in his/ based on trust, lying shows disrespect to the patient
her for at least 10 (ten) years and threatens relationship

*to do good (beneficence) *confidentiality- the patient has the right to expect
- dentist role is to benefit the patient not to inflict that all communications and records pertaining to
them harm their care will be treated as confidential
- attempts to maximize the benefits and minimize
harm *Republic Act 10173- known as the Data Privacy
Act of 2012 (DPA)
a.) autonomy - - non compliance = 6 years imprisonment and a
freedom from fine of 500,000 pesos
external control
or influence; ethical rules for dentists (given by DCI)
independence duties of dentists towards patients:
- principle that - dentists should be courteous, sympathetic,
dictates that friendly and helpful
health care - should be established as a well merited reputation
professionals for his/her professional abilities and fidelity
respects duties of dentists towards one another:
patients right
to make
PAPAG DMD3A

- every dentists should cherish a proper pride in

his/her colleagues and should not disparage them
with words or act
- if a dentist is consulted by a patient of another
dentist and the former finds that the patient is
suffering from previous faulty restoration, its the
duty of the dentist to correct the treatment at once
with few comments as possible so as to avoid
reflection on his predecessor
duties of the dentist towards the public
- dentists should take leadership roles in the
communities on matters related to dental health

*unethical practices- practicing by unregistered

persons employed by the dentist
- signing a certificate issued for untrue, misleading
and improper reasons
- use of bogus diplomas
- undercharging for solicit patients

NUREMBERG CODE
- is a set of research ethical principles for human
experimentation set as a result of the Nuremberg
Trials at the end of the second world war
- promulgated in 1947