DENTISTRY AND DENTAL HIGH EDUCATION: ETHICAL ASPECTS

Authors: Aureliana CARAIANE, Francisc-Florin BARTOK, Cristina NICOLAE

Abstract:

The objective of dental education is to offer to the society well-trained dentists, capable of assuring public dental health. To achieve this, dental educators should have the ability to transmit to students a complex range of knowledge and dental manoeuvers specific to the field of dentistry. As much as this is possible, all these skills should be perfectly mastered until graduation, even if not sufficiently for the expected dental care standards. Dental practice requires from the part of the graduates to fully offer to their patients the highest standard of care they can benefit from. The dentist should treat his patients individually, fairly and impartially, according to medical ethics. Transforming aspiring students into dental professionals is the main ethical purpose to be attained. The present paper addresses ethical issues from the perspective of their everyday application in dental profession and dental education. In this context, dental ethics will be defined in relation to two different concepts: religion and law. Ethical issues will be presented as both life aspirations and obligations. The attemp at defining dental ethics, the concept of profession, and that of professionist will be employed. Distinction will be also made between dental profession and dental medicine as a profitable business. Some ethical issues to be taught in the medical ethics class of dental schools will be highlighted.

Keywords:
  • bioethics
  • DENTAL EDUCATION
  • dental medicine
  • profession