This document discusses human ethics and dental ethics. It defines ethics as the study of what is right and good with respect to character and conduct. Dental ethics refers to the moral duties of dentists towards patients, colleagues, and society. Some key principles of dental ethics discussed are non-maleficence (do no harm), beneficence (do good), respect for patient autonomy, informed consent, justice, truthfulness, confidentiality, and codes of ethics. The document also outlines duties of dentists towards patients, colleagues, and the community, and provides examples of unethical practices.

2. HUMAN ETHICS: DO UNTO OTHERS, AS YOU
WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU!

3. CONTENTS
 Ethics – definition, meaning
 Principles of ethics
 Hippocratic Oath
 Code of ethics
 Duties of a dentist towards his – colleagues
- patients
-community
 Unethical practices

6. ETHICS
 Branch of philosophy/ study - of what is right and good with
respect to character and conduct.
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7.  Reflect general
expectations of any person
in any society, acting in any
capacity.
 Encompass the personal
and corporate standards of
behavior expected
by professionals
Personal Ethics Professional ethics
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8. 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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11. TO DO NO HARM (NON-MALEFICENCE)
 The dentist has a duty to refrain from harming the patient.
 Keeping knowledge and skills up- to- date.
 Use of unsterilized instruments, under- filling or overfilling,
carelessness in handling hard and soft tissues can harm the
patients.
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12. TO DO GOOD (BENEFICENCE)
 Principle of promoting or
doing good.
 Always think about the
welfare of the patient.
 Put the patient’s best
interests as priority.
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14. RESPECT FOR PERSONS
AUTONOMY
 Respect the patient’s right to self- determination in making decisions.
 Respecting someone is simply by abiding to their choices.
 The dentist should educate the patient to his/her best regarding
treatment.
 Treat the patient according to patient’s desire.
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17.  INFORMED
CONSENT
Voluntary
Legally
competent
Informed
Comprehending

18. JUSTICE(FAIRNESS)
Treating people fairly without discrimination of socio-
economic status, race, creed, color, sex or national origin.
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19. TRUTHFULNESS
 Patient doctor relationship based on
mutual trust.
 The dentist has a duty to communicate
truthfully.
 Patient expect the dentist to be truthful
about the information given , treatment
rendered and the prognosis.
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24. CONFIDENTIALITY
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26. HIPPOCRATIC OATH
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27. 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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28. 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.
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29. 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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30. DUTIES TOWARD PATIENTS
should
be
ability and
The best recommendation for a
dentist his/her personal reputation,
professional 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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31. 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
confidentially.
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32. 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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33. 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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34. UNETHICAL PRACTICES(CONT’D)
 Non referral, in case treatment beyond the dentist skill.
 Performing unnecessary services for purpose of
monetary gain.
 In case of an emergency consultation during temporary
absence of patient’s dentist, temporary service is provided
and patient is not sent back.
directly or indirectly, for
Dentist advertising
whether purpose of obtaining
patients.
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