iDentistry The Journal identistry_jan_april2019 | Page 21

The Journal
*Dr. Bhavdeep Singh Ahuja
Ethical v/s Unethical Dilemma for a Dentist – Straight
from the DCI Rulebook –
The REVISED CODE of Dental ETHICS
Ethics is a science of ideal human character and behavior in situations where the distinction should
be made between what is right and wrong, duty must be followed and good interpersonal relations
should be maintained. Ethics is a belief that determines the people’s behavior as it resides in the
realm of human values, morals, individual culture, interpersonal beliefs and faith. Ethical practice in
dental health care basically constitutes the bonafide principles of beneficence, non-maleficence,
informed consent, respect for integrity and patient autonomy. In the past few years in dentistry, there
has been a sudden transition in the balance of decision-making in the dental clinic, determining by the
doctor, what is the “best” treatment for the patient has shifted from professional paternalism toward
respecting the informed and autonomous decision of the patient. Dental ethics is a moral obligation
that encompasses professional conduct and judgment imposed by the members of the dental
profession. Dental ethics has to be like a uniform code and every dentist should wear the same one,
but alas it's not the way we wish it to be. An ethical challenge that almost every fresher faces is a poor
knowledge in ethics and attitude amongst the fellow dental practitioners. As mentioned above, dental
ethics represents a set of principles of professional conduct, rules and responsibilities, starting with
respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice – the founding ethical principles that
govern any dental practice. The Dentists’ Code of Ethics regulations laid down by the Dental Council
of India (DCI) in 1976 and revised in 2014 reiterates that it is the duty of every registered dentist to
read these regulations, understand his responsibilities and abide by the same when concerned with
consultations and treatments offered to fellow dentists and colleagues.
Introduction
We, Indians are blessed with an illustrious code
on medical ethics since the days of Charaka
(300 B.C.) and Sushruta (800 B.C.). A passage
in the Charaka Samhita sums up the ethical
injunctions of those times: "He who practices
medicine out of compassion for all creatures
rather than for gain or for gratification of the
senses surpasses all", "Those who for the sake
of making a living make a trade of medicine,
bargain for a dust-heap, letting go a heap of
gold", "No benefactor, moral or material,
compares to the physician
who by severing the
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noose of death in the form of fierce diseases,
brings back to life those being dragged towards
death's abode, because there is no other gift
greater than the gift of life", "He who practices
medicine while holding compassion for all
creatures as the highest religion is a man who
has fulfilled his mission.He obtains supreme
happiness." The glorious code embodies the
criteria for a good teacher and who should study
medicine. It also offers counsel on behaviour
with patients and their relatives. Especially
striking is the emphasis on transcending the
needs of the body, mind and intellect in order to
reach a state where the cycle of birth - death -
rebirth is broken. his ancient code is reflected in
the codes set up by Buddhism and Jainism -
offshoots from the Hindu faith. The Islamic code
of ethics was not as well defined in India. Based
on the teaching in the Koran, the Muslim doctor
was expected to do all he could to save life and
promote morality. Dentistry is an offshoot of the
medicine. As per the WHO, the Dentist
:Population ratio in India is 1:7500 which was
1:17500 till the late nineties or 2000. Though,
the ratio is apparently optimum in India, but
there is an ill distribution of dentists here.
* Private Practitioner
21
Vol. 15
No. 1
Jan-April 2019