Finding our place in dental ethics

Oral health care ethics is in its infancy. It is important, but not well understood. This essay very briefly introduces the range of activities that contribute to strengthening the moral character of the profession. These include ethics rhetoric, moral philosophy, ethics, transmitting professional norms, moral psychology, promoting moral behavior and building the moral community. Contributions are needed in all areas from individuals with various levels of training and commitment. Building the moral community is unique among ethical activities because it inescapably involves all oral health professionals.