iDentistry The Journal identistry_jan_april2019 | Page 23

The Journal
Not all from the above 10 come under the
purview of the DCI Rulebook; however, some
do fall in the ambit of the same. Ethics is an
intrinsic component of dental practice. Put
simply, ethics is the study of morality; a careful
and systematic reflection on and analysis of
moral decisions and behavior, whether past,
present or future.
Morality is the value dimension of human
decision-making and behavior. The language of
morality includes nouns such as ‘rights’,
‘responsibilities’ and ‘virtues’ and adjectives
such as ‘good’ and ‘bad’ (or ‘evil’), ‘right’ and
‘wrong’, ‘just’ and ‘unjust’. According to these
definitions, ethics is primarily a matter of
knowing whereas morality is a matter of doing.
Their close relationship consists in the concern
of ethics to provide rational criteria for people to
decide or behave in some ways rather than
others. Since ethics deals with all aspects of
human behavior and decision making, it is a
very large and complex field of study with many
branches or subdivisions. Compassion,
competence and autonomy are not exclusive to
dentistry. However, the practice of Dentistry,
being a part of healthcare, requires dentists to
exemplify these values to a higher degree than
in other occupations, including some other
professions. Compassion, defined as
understanding and concern for another
person’s distress, is essential for the practice of
dentistry In order to deal with the patient’s
problems and help the patient achieve relief. A
very high degree of competence is both
expected and required of dentists. Moreover, it
is not just their scientific knowledge and
technical skills that they have to develop and
maintain but their ethical knowledge, skills and
attitudes as well, since new ethical issues arise
with changes in dental practice and its social
and political environment. Autonomy, or self-
determination, is the core value of dentistry that
has evolved the most over the years. Individual
dentists have traditionally enjoyed a high
degree of clinical autonomy in deciding where
and how to practice. Considering the similar
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ethical dilemmas, the Principal Regulations,
namely, the “Dentists (Code of Ethics)
Regulations, 2014”, were published in super-
session of the Dentists (Code of Ethics)
Regulations 1976. These regulations are Now,
called the Revised Dentists (Code of Ethics)
Regulations, 2014.
(A) Duties and Obligation of Dentists in
General as a Health Professional:
a. Character of Dentist:
1. Be educated and trained in surgical and
medical treatment of diseases of the Oral cavity,
2. Be mindful of the high character of his
mission and the responsibilities he holds in the
discharge of his duties as an independent
health-care professional.
3. Shall always remember that care of the
patient and treatment of the disease depends
upon the skill and prompt attention shown by
him and always remembering that his personal
reputation, professional ability and fidelity
remain his best recommendations;
4. Treat the welfare of the patients as
paramount to all other considerations and shall
conserve it to the utmost of his ability;
5. Be courteous, sympathetic, friendly and
helpful to and always ready to respond to, the
call of his patients and that under all conditions
his behaviour towards his patients and the
public shall be polite and dignified.
b. Maintaining Good Clinical Practices:
1. The principle objective of the Dental
profession is to render service to humanity with
full respect for the dignity of profession and
man.
2. Dental Surgeons should merit the confidence
of patients entrusted to their care, rendering to
each a full measure of service and devotion.
Vol. 15
No. 1
Jan-April 2019