Articles About Beneficence

JADA Ethical Moment Articles: Beneficence

• If I learn the identity of a patient's new dentist, should I inform the dentist of the patient's health history, given that the patient has indicated he will not share this information in full? Nov 2012 Dr. Walter I. Chinoy
• What is the appropriate course of action when a member dentist reveals during a local dental society meeting that he may be engaging in unethical behavior? Oct 2012 Dr. Charlotte L. Senseny
• What is the ethical course of action for a dentist whose patient's previous dentist may have treated the wrong tooth? Aug 2012 Dr. Laura Williams
• What are the ethical obligations of a dentist who suspects that his or her partner may be impaired by an addiction to pain medication? Jul 2012 Dr. Kevin A. Henner
• Who is responsible ethically for patient care in a corporate dental practice in which I am an employee dentist? Apr 2012 Dr. David H. McCarley
• What ethical considerations are involved when a patient requests recommendations for a new general dentist from a specialist? Feb 2012 Dr. Patrick J. Foy
• How can I manage my patient's oral care when her insurance will not provide coverage for the necessary treatments? Jan 2012 Dr. Rodney B. Wentworth
• What are the ethical ramifications and suggested guidelines when a dental office is confirmed as having an active bedbug infestation? Dec 2011 Dr. Kevin A. Henner
• What are my obligations when purchasing new Technologies? Nov 2011 Dr. James W. Antoon
• Is it unethical to have a policy for Medicaid-enrolled patients that allows termination of the relationship when the patient does not show up or call? Jul 2011 Dr. L. Stephen Ortego
• What is my ethical responsibility when my employer authorizes treatments that I believe are unnecessary? Jun 2011 Dr. Rodney B. Wentworth
• How do I deal with what I perceive to be overtreatment by another dentist when his or her patients come to me to discuss their proposed treatment plans? Apr 2011 Dr. Kent Palcanis
• Are there ethical considerations to keep in mind as a dentist approaches retirement? Jan 2011 Dr. W. Scott Waugh
• Is it ethical for a specialist to demonstrate surgical techniques to a general dentist untrained the procedure so that the dentist can perform these procedures on his or her own? Dec 2010 Dr. Kent G. Palcanis
• What is the ethical course of action when a third-party payer denies coverage for a treatment I recommend simply because the treatment is not one of the plan's "evidence-based best practices"? Aug 2010 Dr. Marilyn S. Lantz
• What is my ethical responsibility toward patients who refuse to be treated with materials containing fluoride? Jul 2010 Dr. Thomas W. Gamba
• Can I refer patients to another dentist if the fee is capped and their insurance does not cover that procedure? May 2010 Dr. David H. McCarley
• Should a local peer-review committee take a case that involves a nonmember of the ADA? Feb 2010 Dr. Kent G. Palcanis and Dr. Marilyn S. Lantz
• Is it ethically appropriate for an on-call dentist to provide more than palliative care for my patients while I am away from the office? Nov 2009 Dr. Rodney B. Wentworth
• How can I ethically handle referrals to a specialist with whom there are allegations of unethical behavior? Aug 2009 Dr. Judith M. Fisch
• I am caught between two specialists with conflicting opinions. How can I ethically assist my patient in deciding which option is best? Jul 2009 Dr. Patrick J. Foy
• What ethical guidance is there for dismissing a patient from a practice? Jun 2009 Dr. Rodney B. Wentworth
• What are the ethical issues I should consider when contemplating exclusive territory agreements? Feb 2009 Dr. Harvey S. Nisselson
• What should I do about dental assistants who are performing prophylaxes? Jan 2009 Dr. Thomas W. Gamba
• May I ethically discontinue treating an overanxious patient? Dec 2008 Dr. Thomas W. Gamba
• How do I justify my views on what I consider unnecessary treatment? Nov 2008 Dr. William G. Leffler
• How can I ethically handle a patient's request for what I consider a substandard treatment option? Jul 2008 Dr. Rodney B. Wentworth
• What should I do when I suspect a patient may be abusing prescription drugs? May 2008 Dr. Rodney B. Wentworth
• What should I consider in establishing a component dental ethics committee? Jan 2008 Dr. Nicholas A. Fontana
• Can a state society refuse a transfer of a member in good standing? Dec 2007 Dr. Kenneth D. Jones Jr.
• Should I dismiss a patient who declines my treatment plan? Nov 2007 Dr. William G. Leffler
• Is it ethical for dentists to treat their own children? Oct 2007 Dr. Richard C. Black
• Is it ethical to tell a patient to sue a former dentist? Sep 2007 Dr. Beverly A. Largent
• Before I release patient records to another dentist, should I tell the patient about state board actions against that dentist? Aug 2007 Dr. Carol M. Wolff
• What are my ethical obligations in managing a previous dentist's failed treatment? Apr 2007 Dr. James W. Antoon
• When is it proper to refer a patient receiving public aid to another dentist? Mar 2006 Dr. Beverly A. Largent
• Am I living up to my ethical responsibilities as a dentist? Jan 2006 Dr. James W. Antoon
• How can I handle a rude patient? Dec 2005 Dr. Nicholas A. Fontana
• Is it ethical for a dentist to date a patient? Sep 2005 Dr. Lloyd George
• Extreme Makeovers? Mar 2005 Dr. Kenneth D. Jones Jr.
• Is it ethical to offer financial incentives to staff who convince patients to consent to treatment? Nov 2004 Dr. Kenneth D. Jones Jr.
• What should I do when I suspect an elderly or pediatric patient is being abused? Aug 2004 Dr. Kenneth D. Jones Jr.
• What are my responsibilities to a patient who may have an eating disorder? May 2004 Dr. Kenneth D. Jones Jr.

3.A. Community Service

• What are the ethical obligations of a dentist who suspects that his or her partner may be impaired by an addiction to pain medication? Jul 2012 Dr. Kevin A. Henner
• Should a local peer-review committee take a case that involves a nonmember of the ADA? Feb 2010 Dr. Kent G. Palcanis and Dr. Marilyn S. Lantz
• What are the ethical issues I should consider when contemplating exclusive territory agreements? Feb 2009 Dr. Harvey S. Nisselson
• Am I living up to my ethical responsibilities as a dentist? Jan 2006 Dr. James W. Antoon

3.B. Government of a Profession

• Is it unethical to have a policy for Medicaid-enrolled patients that allows termination of the relationship when the patient does not show up or call? Jul 2011 Dr. L. Stephen Ortego
• Should a local peer-review committee take a case that involves a nonmember of the ADA? Feb 2010 Dr. Kent G. Palcanis and Dr. Marilyn S. Lantz
• What should I consider in establishing a component dental ethics committee? Jan 2008 Dr. Nicholas A. Fontana
• Can a state society refuse a transfer of a member in good standing? Dec 2007 Dr. Kenneth D. Jones Jr.

3.C. Research and Development

• What is my ethical responsibility toward patients who refuse to be treated with materials containing fluoride? Jul 2010 Dr. Thomas W. Gamba
• What are the ethical issues I should consider when contemplating exclusive territory agreements? Feb 2009 Dr. Harvey S. Nisselson

3.D. Patents and Copyrights

• What are the ethical issues I should consider when contemplating exclusive territory agreements? Feb 2009 Dr. Harvey S. Nisselson

3.E. Abuse and Neglect

• What should I do when I suspect an elderly or pediatric patient is being abused? Aug 2004 Dr. Kenneth D. Jones Jr.
• What are my responsibilities to a patient who may have an eating disorder? May 2004 Dr. Kenneth D. Jones Jr.

3.E.1. Reporting Abuse and Neglect

• What is my ethical responsibility when my employer authorizes treatments that I believe are unnecessary? Jun 2011 Dr. Rodney B. Wentworth
• What should I do when I suspect an elderly or pediatric patient is being abused? Aug 2004 Dr. Kenneth D. Jones Jr.

3.F. Professional Demeanor in the Workplace

• What are the ethical obligations of a dentist who suspects that his or her partner may be impaired by an addiction to pain medication? Jul 2012 Dr. Kevin A. Henner

3.F.1. Disruptive Behavior in the Workplace