DCA05DE Dental Ethics and the Digital Age, 3rd Edition _ _________________________________________
DENTAL ETHICS AND THE DIGITAL AGE Medical ethics originated in ancient Greece around the fifth century BCE (Johnsen, 2000). The physician Hippocrates, recognized as the founding father of medicine, espoused ethical ideals that still hold true in medical practice today. From the time of Hippocrates to the third century in the Common Era, evidence can be found in literature regarding incorporating ethical standards into medicine. The earliest known document about medical ethics is an ancient text titled Epidemics I (Jonsen, 2000). Although this text, written in the time of Hippocrates and credited to him by scholars, is primar- ily clinical, one statement stands out: “As to diseases, make a habit of two things – to help and not to harm” (Hippocrates, trans. 1923, p. 165). Hippocrates believed that medicine was both an art and a privilege and that patients had rights of their own. The Hippocratic Oath (Text Box 1) is part of the collection of works known as the Hippocratic Corpus, composed over hundreds of years, so Hippocrates could not have authored them all (Bad Ancient, 2020). Dentistry has adopted many of the ideals of the Hippocratic Oath into its current professional codes of ethics and the oaths dental and hygiene students take upon graduation from dental school.
INTRODUCTION The practice of dentistry is multifaceted. Dental professionals must possess the technical skills to treat patients appropriately and safely and practice within a professional ethical framework that is sometimes more challenging than the dental procedures themselves. Dental ethics have deep roots in history, and this course will take an in-depth look at the events that forged the basis of modern-day ethics and professionalism in dentistry. The electronic world is expanding exponentially, and all dental professionals face the challenge of keeping up with the rapid technological advances. Dental professionals can use technol- ogy in their practices and private lives but must consider the ethical implications. This course will explore these issues, including social media use, AI, cyberbullying, and others, as well as dental providers’ obligations in such cases. This basic-level course will help dental professionals better understand dental ethics, professionalism, and current ethi- cal challenges, with a particular emphasis on the impact of the digital age. A section of this course will address the ways that law and ethics intersect. Through a case-based approach, the course will provide dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants with the tools to recognize and navigate the complex ethical issues that may arise in practice.
THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH: CLASSIC VERSION
The Oath of Hippocrates I SWEAR by Apollo the physician and Æsculapius, and Health, and All-heal, and all the gods and goddesses, that, according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this Oath and this stipulation – to reckon him who taught me this Art equally dear to me as my parents, to share my substance with him, and relieve his necessities if required; to look upon his offspring in the same footing as my own broth- ers, and to teach them this art, if they shall wish to learn it, without fee or stipulation; and that by precept, lecture, and every other mode of instruction, I will impart a knowledge of the Art to my own sons, and those of my teachers, and to disciples bound by a stipulation and oath according to the law of medicine, but to none others. I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgement, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous. I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel; and in like manner I will not give to a woman a pessary to produce abortion. With purity and with holiness I will pass my life and practice my Art. I will not cut persons labouring under the stone, but will leave this to be done by men who are practitioners of this work. Into whatever houses I enter, I will go into them for the benefit of the sick, and will abstain from every voluntary act of mis- chief and corruption; and, further, from the seduction of females or males, of freemen and slaves. Whatever, in connection with my professional service, or not in connection with it, I see or hear, in the life of men, which ought not to be spoken of abroad. I will not divulge, as reckoning that all such should be kept secret. While I continue to keep this Oath unviolated, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and the practice of the art, respected by all men, in all times. But should I trespass and violate this Oath, may the reverse be my lot.
Source: From Oath of Hippocrates (1910). In Harvard Classics (Vol. 38). Boston, MA: P.F. Collier and Son. Retrieved from http://www.cirp.org/library/ethics/hippocrates/.
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