___________________________________________ DCA05DE Dental Ethics and the Digital Age, 3rd Edition
1. What ethical risks are associated with relying solely on AI for medical diagnoses, and how can a healthcare provider ensure that patient care remains personalized and informed by human expertise? 2. How should a healthcare provider balance using AI- driven diagnostics with professional judgment, especially when making decisions about invasive procedures? 3. What ethical considerations must a healthcare provider consider when informing a patient about an AI-influenced diagnosis and the associated recommendations for treatment? Healthcare Consideration Ethical problems are complex and constantly changing. For example, cyberbullying and social media couponing were unheard of until the early years of the 21st century. The dental practitioner has an obligation to navigate complex ethical problems and come to reasonable solutions. Reli- ance on a set of ethical principles greatly aids this process of ethical decision-making. ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING In navigating through the process of solving ethical dilemmas, it is essential to take a systematic approach. This practice helps the professional avoid overlooking an important aspect of the case as he or she formulates a solution. Ethical decision-making models provide a framework for case-by-case ethical reasoning. Ethical decision-making is multifaceted. Dental providers do not function in a vacuum. They bring to their practices of dentistry a personal world that influences perspectives and decisions when dilemmas occur. It is essential to acknowledge the existence of potential provider bias resulting from these personal experiences and perspectives. It is also important to realize that patients have their own potential biases and may be influenced by the social determinants of health (SDOH) in their lives. Clinicians are crucial in ensuring that real-world initiatives to address SDOH genuinely enhance individuals’ health and well-being, foster informed decision-making, and promote health equity. If SDOH efforts do not align with ethical principles, it could undermine trust in the provider- patient relationship (DeCamp et al. 2020). By consciously acknowledging this and respecting patients as individuals first and foremost in any scenario, dental providers may gain a more objective view of the scenario and come to a fair and logical conclusion. Personal experiences that may influence ethical decision-making include, but are not limited to:
• upbringing, • religious or faith-based influences, • professional training or codes of ethics, • practice type and location, • patient expectations,
• social customs, • societal norms, • state of mind in the moment. (Minihan-Anderson, 2024)
Many ethical decision-making models are available. They all aim to guide the user to the most beneficial outcome of any scenario. In any case, it is essential to consider: • the professional relationship involved, • the ethical principles involved, • the professional obligations and conflicts involved, • the central values of dental practice, • potential personal biases, • alternative courses of action available, • appropriate actions to take. Following a structured ethical decision-making model is crucial as it ensures that all relevant factors—professional relation- ships, ethical principles, obligations, potential biases, and available alternatives—are carefully considered, leading to the most beneficial and ethically sound outcomes for the patient and the practitioner. Dental providers should systematically evaluate any scenario through the lens of professional obliga- tions, ethical principles, and the core values of dental practice, ensuring that their decisions are unbiased and align with the best interests of their patients while upholding the profes- sion’s integrity. Several decision-making models are available through the American College of Dentists website linked to the ACD Ethics Handbook for Dentistry (2024), available at https://www.dentalethics.org/resources/ethics-handbook-for- dentistry/. Different models may be employed for different scenarios per the provider’s preference. Healthcare Consideration Hot decision-making is driven by emotions, often leading to impulsive choices made under stress or intense feelings. Cold decision-making, on the other hand, involves logical, deliberate thinking, where decisions are made with careful consideration and minimal emotional influence. It is best to make important decisions in a cold state of mind, and providers should acknowledge their emotions and process them carefully before deciding on a course of action to promote an optimal outcome.
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