Formal instruction in dental professional ethics.

Area of Science:

• Dental Education
• Bioethics
• Professionalism in Dentistry

Background:

• Dental professional ethics programs are nascent in American dental schools.
• Existing arguments against formal ethics instruction are insufficient.
• There is a recognized need for structured ethical training in dentistry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish the necessity of formal instruction in dental professional ethics.
• To outline the aims and subject matter for effective ethics curricula.
• To identify the resources and support required for successful implementation.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing approaches to professional ethics education.
• Development of curriculum aims and content areas.
• Assessment of institutional requirements for program success.

Main Results:

• Formal instruction in dental professional ethics is deemed essential.
• A framework for curriculum aims and subject matter has been proposed.
• Faculty and institutional support are critical for program viability.

Conclusions:

• The development of dental professional ethics programs is a priority.
• Clear objectives and dedicated resources are necessary for effective teaching.
• Proceeding with the implementation of these programs is timely and warranted.