DEFINITION

 Ethics is the philosophy of human conduct, a

way of stating and evaluating principles by
which problems of behaviour can be solved.
 Ethics is concerned with standards
judging whether actions are right or wrong.
 Dental ethics simply means moral
duties and obligations of the
dentists towards the patients
,professional colleagues and tothe
society.
 Hippocratic oath is the first ethical
standards given by Hippocrates ,the
father of medicine, in the 4TH century
BC
EHICAL PRINCIPLES
1. to do no harm[non-maleficence]
2. to do good[beneficence]
3. respect the person
4. Justice
5. veracity or truthfulness
6. confidentiality
TO DO NO HARM
of social
 considered to be the foundation
morality even though dental professionals
know they tend to break rules.
 Iatrogenic diseases-doctor induced illness.
 When patient is in pain the doctor should
attempt to minimise the pain if
alternative minimal treatment not
treatment is to be given. or
no
TO DO GOOD

 Dentist role is to benefit the patients

not to inflict them harm
 Attempts to maximise the benefits
and minimize harm
RESPECT THE PERSON

 Autonomy
 Informed consent
A.AUTONOMY
 It is the principle that dictates that health
care professionals respects patients right
to make decisions concerning the treatment
plan.
 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.
 B.INFORMED CONSENT
 Is a two step process, firstly information is
presented to the patient by doctor, secondly the
patient satisfies himself or herself that she
understands and based upon this understanding either
agrees or refuses to undergo the treatment.
 Description of,
a. procedures to be carried out
b. foreseeable risks or discomforts to the subject
c. reasonably expected benefits from the treatment
 A statementthat thepatient hasunderstood the
procedure and is willing to undergo the treatment.
 The signature of the patient and of a witness.
 JUSTICE
 Justice is described as fairness or equal
treatment , giving to each her or his right or
due
 Its difficult to provide well distributed
health care amongst people
 Primary duty of a health professional is to
irrespective of class, creed
provide service
, etc. demands that each person be treated
 Justice

 principle of justice is to protect the weak and

equally
to ensure equality in rights and benefits,
for both groups and individuals
 TRUTHFULNESS
 The patient - doctor relationship is
based on trust Lying shows
. to patient and
disrespectrelationship
threatens the
 CONFEDENTIALITY

 The patient has right to expect that

all communications and records
pertaining to their care will be
treated as confidential.
EHICAL RULES FOR DENTISTS
[given by DCI]
 Duties of dentist towards patients

 Duties of dentists towards one

another

 Duties of dentists towards the

public
 Duties of dentist towards
patients

 Dentists should be courteous ,

sympathetic ,friendly and helpful.
 Should be established as a well
merited reputation for his/her
professional abilities and fidelity.
 Duties of dentists towards one
another
a proper pride
 Every dentist should cherish
in his / her colleagues and should
disparage them with words or act. not
a patient of
 If a dentist is consulted by
another dentist and the former finds that
the patient is suffering previous
from
faulty restoration , its the duty of
dentist to correct the
the at
treatment with few comments once so
avoid as
reflection
possible on his predecessor. as to
Duties of dentists towards
the public

 Dentist should take leadership

roles in the communities on
matters related to dental health
 Unethical practices;
 practicing by unregistered persons employed by
the dentist
certificate issued for untrue,
 Signing a
misleading and improper reasons

 Direct or indirect advertising

 Use of bogus diplomas

 Undercharging for solicit patients