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Volume2 Issue6
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1. Taken from theCanadianDental Association’s existing codeof ethics.
2. Thesephrases areused inexisting codesof ethics, e.g., theAmericanDental Association; AlbertaDental
AssociationandCollege; SaskatchewanCollegeof Dental Surgeons;ManitobaDental Association; Dental
BoardofNovaScotia; NewfoundlandandLabradorDental Board, KenyaDental Association, etc.
3. A similar phrase isused in theAmericanDental Association codeof ethics.
4. Taken from theCanadianDental Association’s existing codeof ethics.
5. Taken from theCollegeof Dental Surgeonsof BritishColumbia (“Fairness: Treat all individuals, patients,
colleagues and thirdpartieswithout prejudiceor discrimination ina just andequitablemanner”). “Just
andequitablemanner” is found in innumerable codesof ethics.
6. This language is in commonuse todescribe thisprinciple.
CDAPRINCIPLESOFETHICS
PREAMBLE
TheCDAPrinciplesof Ethicsdefine the fundamental commitments that guideadentist’s ethical
practiceand towhich thedental professionaspires. It forms the foundationof adentist’sprofessional
responsibilities tohisor her patient, to society, to theprofession, and tohimor herself.
For thoseentering theprofession, theseprinciples identify thebasicmoral commitmentsof dentistryand
serves as a source for educationand reflection. For thosewithin theprofession, theseprinciplesprovide
direction for ethical practiceand serves as abasis for self-evaluation.
1
Theprivilegeof dentists tobeaccordedprofessional status, including theprivilegeof self-regulation,
restsprimarily in the knowledge, skills, andexperiencewithwhichdentists serve their patients and
society.
2
Toachieve thisprivilege, there is anobligation toprovideexplicit articulationof theprofession’s
expectationsof itsmembers to societyat large.
3
TRUST
Trust is thecornerstoneof thedentist-patient relationshipand thecontract between thedental professionand society.
Honesty
Be truthful; behave ina trustworthymanner by furthering thepatient’swell-beingandactingwithmoral concern to
achieveagoodoutcome.
Competence
Becompetent; provide treatment inaccordancewithyour level of clinical expertise,withincurrentlyaccepted
professional standards andevidence-basedpractice, and keepyour knowledgeand skillsof dentistrycontemporary.
4
Fairness
Be fair; treat all individuals, patients, andcolleagues fairly, andpractice ina just andequitablemanner.
5
Accountability
Beaccountable; take responsibility for your actions, decisions, judgment andprofessional competenceandact, first and
foremost, for thebenefit of, and in service to, thehealthof patients and thecommunity.
HEALTH
Achievinghealth is theprimaryobjectiveof dentistry.
Respectforautonomy
Respect thepatient’s right tochoose; patientshave the right tobe fully informedandmakechoices for, andactively
participate in, their careandpursue their personal values, beliefs andgoals inachieving their optimal oral health.
6
Dutytocare
Providecare to, andpromote thewell-beingof, allmembersof society; promote fair and reasonableaccess toquality
oral healthcarewithout prejudiceor discrimination, always regarding thepatient asworthyof treatment.
Prevention
Prevent diseasebyencouraginghealthful behaviour in individuals and society; promotehealthbyaddressing the
broader contexts inwhichdiseaseoccurs.
CDABoardofDirectors
Approved: June2015
