LAS VEGAS — Although public trust in dentists remains high, that trust is fragile, and could easily erode if clinicians put their profits over their patients, according to a speaker at the American Dental Association's Annual Session, held here.
Ann Boyle, DMD, MA, who is dean and professor of restorative dentistry at Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine, noted in her discussion that the public holds health professionals to a higher standard than other professions, so clinicians must return that regard with ethical behavior. Paramount to putting the patient's needs first is avoiding unnecessary treatment plans.
"We run a small business and we need to be efficient and productive," she said. "But if we approach each patient as a potential sale, we're going to lose the trust of our patients' trust."
Boyle cited a 2009 Gallup poll that showed the public placed dentists as the sixth most trusted profession, behind only nurses, pharmacists, doctors, police officers and engineers. She said that number has fluctuated somewhat over the years, but they are very high on the list. She theorized the public places nurses at the top of the list because they are usually not the ones that stand to benefit financially from services rendered, and this holds an important lesson for clinicians.
She cited a paper from Gordon Christensen that commented on why the public may lose trust in a particular clinician, noting specifically: having a self-promoting orientation, planning and carrying out excessive treatment, charging high fees without justification, and refusing to accept responsibility when treatment fails prematurely.
She said that in order to avoid these pitfalls, clinicians must always keep their Codes of Ethics in mind. She cited the American College of Dentistry, which noted autonomy, beneficence, compassion, competence, integrity, justice, professionalism, tolerance, and veracity. She noted these fall in line with American Dental Association's Code of Professional Conduct in mind as well.
She said she urges this same standard for students in her dental school, and even those applying to dental school. She urged dental students to hold themselves to a higher standard, and not cheat or use other class help when projects are supposed to be solo.
"I try to remind them that once they are out in the real world, and have patients in their chair, they are not going to be able to look over at their friend and ask for help," Dr. Boyle said.