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ETHICS IN DENTISTRY
Presented By: Intikhab Alam(08)
BDS 2nd Year
Presented To: Dr.Manzar Anwar
Dr.Shakeel Ahmad
Dr.Shazia Makhdum
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Objective
At the end of my presentation all the fellows of
2nd year BDS will be able to know about ethics,
morality and ethics in dentistry.
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Contents
 Ethics Meaning
 Ethics Definition
 Personal Ethics(morality)
 Dental Ethics
 Principles of Dental Ethics
 Hippocratic Oath
 Codes of Ethics
 Unethical Practices
 References
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Ethics
 Derived from Greek word
ethos meaning “character or
conduct”.
 Used interchangeably with
moral which is derived from
Latin word mores meaning
“customs or habits”.
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Ethics Definition
 Ethics, as a branch of philosophy, is the
systematic study of what is right and
good with respect to character and
conduct.
OR simply
 Branch of philosophy, which deals with
the examination of human conduct.
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Personal Ethics
 Personal ethics might also be called
morality, since they reflect general
expectations of any person in any society,
acting in any capacity.
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Dental Ethics
 Dental ethics is defined as:
“The moral duties and
obligations of a dentist towards his/her
patients, professional colleagues and
society”.
 Dental ethics applies moral principles
and virtues to the practice of dentistry.
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Principles of Dental Ethics
 These principles help in choosing the right course of
actions in certain difficult decision making
situations.
The principles of ethics are as under:
 To do good
 To do no harm
 Autonomy
 Justice
 Truthfulness
 confidentiality
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To do Good (Beneficence)
 Attributes to Hippocrates.
 Beneficence refers to the principle
of promoting or doing good.
 Should always think about the
welfare of the patient.
 Put the patient’s best interests as
priority.
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To do no Harm (Non-maleficence)
 Hippocrates has laid an emphasis on
it.
 The dentist has a duty to refrain from
harming the patient.
 Keeping knowledge and skills
current.
 Should inform the patient who may
have been exposed to blood borne
pathogen or other infectious
disease.
 Use of unsterilized instruments, under-
filling or overfilling, carelessness in
handling hard and soft tissues can
harm the patients.
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Autonomy(Self
Governance)
 The dentist should educate the
patient to his/her best regarding
treatment.
 Treat the patient according to
patient’s desire.
 Information given should be easily
understood.
 In case of minors, parents or guardians
can grant the consent for care.
 Respect the patient’s right to self-
determination and confidentiality.
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Justice(Fairness)
 Dealing with people justly and
delivering dental care without
prejudice.
 Treating people fairly without
discrimination of socio-economic
status, race, creed, color, sex or
national origin.
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Truthfulness or Veracity
 Patient doctor relationship based on
mutual trust.
 The dentist has a duty to
communicate truthfully.
 Dentists shall not represent the care
being rendered to their patients in a
false or misleading manner.
 Patient expect the dentist to be
truthful about the information given ,
treatment rendered and the
prognosis.
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Confidentiality
 There should be understanding
b/w dentist and patient.
 Any information revealed by
the patient to the dentist will
not be divulged without the
patient’s consent.
 Except the situation where
disclosure is needed to protect
others, the patient itself and
community.
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Hippocratic Oath
 To consider dear to me, him who
taught me this art, and to consider
my goods with him;
 I will use those dietary regimens
which will benefit my patients
according to my greatest ability
and judgment and I will do no harm
or injustice to them.
 I will pass my life and practice my
art with full purity and holiness.
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Cont’d
 I will not cut for stone, even for patients in whom the
disease is manifest; I will leave this operation to be
performed by practitioners/specialist in this art.
 I will give no deadly medicine to anyone, nor suggest
any such counsel.
 In every house where I come I will only enter for the
good and benefit of my patients, keeping myself far
from all intentional ill doing and all seduction.
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Cont’d
 Whatever I see or hear in the lives of my patients,
which ought not to be spoken of outside, I will keep
secret, as considering all such things to be private.
 If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and
practice my art, respected by all men and in all times;
but if I swerve from it, may the reverse be my lot.
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Codes of Ethics
 Primarily developed for patient’s
benefit.
 Represents principles of
professional conduct, rules and
responsibilities by which the
dentist must aspire to fulfill their
responsibilities to patients,
colleagues and society.
 Vary from country to country or
within the same country.
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Duties Towards Colleagues
 Cherish a proper pride in your
colleagues and treat them as
brothers and sisters.
 Should not make disparaging
comments of the procedures
or qualification of colleagues.
 Honor mutual arrangements
made regarding
remuneration.
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Duties Toward Colleagues
 On no account do anything harmful to the interest of
the members of fraternity.
 Retire in favor of the regular dentist, after the
emergency is over.
 Institute correct treatment at once with the least
comment.
 Regard it as a pleasure and privilege to render
gratuitous services to another dentist, his immediate
family members.
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Duties Toward Patients
 The best recommendation for a dentist should be
his/her personal reputation, professional ability and
fidelity.
 The welfare of the patient should be the top priority.
 Be courteous, sympathetic, friendly and always be
ready to the call of patients.
 Observe punctuality in fulfilling appointments.
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Duties Toward Patients
 Race, Religion, Nationality or Relation should not
interfere in providing the best available services.
 Provide high quality of care to the patient.
 Keep knowledge current and strive for new for better
treatment of patient.
 maintain accurate dental and medical records of
patients
 Keep all personal information regarding a patient
confidentiality.
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Duties Towards Community
 To participate in community affairs
 Educate the public in promotion of health
 To be trustworthy and honest
 To provide for his needs/welfare
 To honor his parents
 To respect the property of others
 To follow community laws
 To use the social services provided
 To take a leadership role in community and
 Elevate the esteem of profession
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Unethical Practices
 Practice by unregistered persons employed by the
dentists.
 Represent itself in a manner that is false or misleading
and representing their fees in deceptive manner.
 Issuing any certificate signed by the dentist which is
untrue, misleading or improper.
 Use of bogus diplomas, allowing or accepting
commissions.
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Unethical Practices(cont’d)
 Non referral, in case treatment beyond the dentist skill.
 Performing unnecessary services for purpose of
monetary gain.
 Emerging consultation during temporary absence of
patient’s dentist, and patient is not sent back.
 Dentist advertising whether directly or indirectly, for
purpose of obtaining patients.
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Difficult Terms
 Cut for Stone: means surgical removal of stones i.e
gallstone, kidney stone etc.
 Regimens: Any regulation or remedy which is
intended to produce beneficial effects by gradual
operation.
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References
 Google
 Wikipedia
 SS Hiremath
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