Elsevier

Dental Abstracts

Volume 59, Issue 2, March–April 2014, Pages e37-e38
Dental Abstracts

Ethical Practice
Ethical decisions

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.denabs.2013.11.014Get rights and content

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Background

Many issues arise when the developments in technology and social media are applied to dental practices. The changes faced by dental practices in these areas must be assessed, keeping in mind dentistry's commitment to ethical practices.

Ethical Measures

To make ethical decisions in dentistry, a set of principles can be applied. These include the principles of veracity, beneficience, nonmaleficence, and justice. In addition, the confidentiality of the patient's records is paramount. These principles should be honored and not violated. Decision-making can also be based on a utilitarian, value-maximizing approach, with interests weighed, noting the good and the harm that can accompany the choices. Ethical decision-making can result from the

Business Concerns

Dentistry is a business but it is also more than a business and it is not ordinary. Clear, irreconcilable differences exist between the competitive dynamics of commercial enterprises and the cooperative ethics of health care practices. Patients do not generally understand what a dentist is doing in their mouths. They must be able to trust dentists, their explanations, and their advice. If they cannot trust dentists, they take on the characteristics of consumers rather than patients and place

Recommendations

All dentists must recognize the inevitable need to interact with social media and new technologies. Both opportunities and dangers must be faced. New graduates and experienced practitioners both need to engage in these methods, but in a way that maintains professionalism that is beneficial to both the patient and the doctor. However, personal relationships and word-of-mouth probably always will matter, although their results will not be seen as quickly as with social media. Clear guidelines and

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Peltier B, Curley A: The ethics of social media in dental practice: Ethical tools and professional responses. Calif Dent Assoc J 41:507-513, 2013

Reprints available from B Peltier; e-mail: [email protected]

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