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Volume2 Issue2
N
ews and
E
vents
ManydentistsheededDr.O’Keefe’scall tocontacthimwith
theirviewson thesubject.Here isasampleof some the
replies received, condensed toshowacross-section
of the responses fromCanadiandentists.
Almost coincidentallywith stumblingupon the “cultureof respect” sectionof theuniversitywebsite, I unearthed from the
nether regionsofmycomputer harddrive, the text of a keynoteaddress I deliveredat thefirstWhiteCoatCeremony that
washeldat theMcGill UniversityFacultyofDentistryover adecadeago. Reading through the text of the speech I delivered
to thenew3rdyear students entering theclinics to treat their first patients, I found that samemessageabout acultureof
respect (albeit stated inother but similar terms) beingacornerstoneof ahealthyprofession.
What canwe learn fromDalhousie’s experience?What can
weas aprofessiondocollectively toenhanceour culture
of respect for thepublic, patients, teammembers and
colleagues? Iwould love tohear fromyou (onaconfidential
basis) about howyou feel about theDalhousieFacebook
groupbehaviour andwhat lessons youbelieveweas a
professioncan learn thatwillmakeusmorecaring,
respectful andwiser.
a
•
Asdentists,wemust respect everyone: ourpatients,
our staff, and especiallyour colleagues. Iam
concerned thatweare losingourwayby failing
toact appropriately. It shows us inabad light anddoes not help
the public trust us.
”
•
As aprofessionweneed to take amore active role in the
recruitment anddevelopment of ourupand coming [clinicians].
”
•
The oldboy’s club remains as strongas everdespite thenumber of
women indentistry.
”
•
Thereareanumber of ethical issues thatCDA iswell positioned to
address– in conjunctionwith, butnot left solely to, theDentalRegulatoryAuthorities. Inaddition, ethics curricula inour
Faculties ofDentistry clearlyneed tobe strengthened.
”
•
Despite the advances thatwomenhavemade inbusiness and the professions in the past 40 years,we can seewith the
Facebookposts atDalhousie that youdonotneed to scrape too farbelow the surface tofind that sexism is alive andwell
today.
”
•
We are all guilty of it.We all get and receive off-colour, sexist jokes, picturesfromfriends and colleagues. [..]We shouldall
remember that those in glass houses shouldnot throw thefirst rock.
”
•
As adentist, husband, sonand father, Ihave experienced embarrassment, outrage,frustration, sadness, disgust and some
others not yet identified. Iwouldbehorrified if one ofmy sonswere to even thinkofwomen in those terms, nevermind
publishhis thoughts.
”
•
Thewomen thatwere insultedneed to growa thicker skinbecause theworld is not very fair out there.There is gender
inequality inour profession (not as badas itwas).Restorative justice is an excellentway for thesewomen to learn to
communicate about verydifficult issues.You cannot sweep things away orhope otherswill dealwith it for you.
”
•
Myhope is that these studentswill have anopportunity toatone for theirmistakes. I suspect that every student’s specific
situation is differentwhichmakes effective justice suchadifficult task.
”
•
I feel a severe reprimand is inorderbut Iwouldhave trouble expelling these students over somethingas ignorant as they
havedone. Iwouldhope theywould realize the extremedamage theyhavedone and could in someway correct the errors
theyhave committed to the students theyhaveharmed.
”
Wewould liketocontinuetheconversationonthis issue,sopleasesendyourcommentsto
.
OrcontactDr.O’Keefeconfidentiallyat
or
1-800-267-6354
,
ext5000.
