ACD 2020 Recordings
The following videos were recorded as part of the American College of Dentist’s 2020 Annual Meeting. The use of these videos is free for educational purposes.
2020 COVID-19 Featured Resources
In the spring and summer of 2020, the College worked with the American Dental Association and Dentsply Sirona to present timely webinars and resources regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional information can be found at www.acd.org/education/covid-19/.
Ethical Dilemmas
Presented through our partnership with Indiana University School of Dentistry.
The newest video in the series: The New Dentist
Difficult Disclosure
The Jacket
Making Decisions
Patient in Pain
Full Care
Coach
Fair Payment
Service
Third Opinion
Who Decides?
Who Cares for the Patient?
Adolescent Patient
Uninvited Attention
Tooth Colored Restorations
The Ethics Handbook for Dentists is designed for both dental students and practicing dentists. Approximately 5,000 booklets are distributed annually to dental schools in the United States and Canada on a complimentary basis. The current version incorporates relevant portions of the former dental student booklet, Dentistry—A Health Profession. For questions or information on ordering printed copies, contact the Executive Office in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The PDF version below can be saved to your computer or printed.
- Purpose. These ethics articles are only meant to further your knowledge and understanding of dental ethics by presenting, discussing, and analyzing ethical issues, situations, and dilemmas that may occur in dental settings. Thes articles are not intended to: a) provide legal advice; b) provide advice or assistance in the diagnosis or treatment of dental diseases or conditions; or c) provide advice or assistance in the management of dental patients, practices, or personnel.
- By using any or all of the articles you are affirming your acceptance of the Terms of Use
- Permission. The ethical articles are used with the permission of the AGD Impact and the Academy of General Dentistry.
- Appreciation. The American College of Dentists extends its sincere appreciation to AGD Impact and the Academy of General Dentistry for permitting these articles to be included on this website, Dental Ethics, and used by the website’s users. Great appreciation is also extended to our ASDE colleagues, who are the primary contributors.
Donald Patthoff, DDS, MAGD and David Ozar, PhD
September 2012, pp. 16-18
Donald Patthoff, DDS, MAGD and David Ozar, PhD
April 2013, pp. 25-28
Donald Patthoff, DDS, MAGD and David Ozar, PhD
January 2014, pp. 26-29
Donald Patthoff, DDS, MAGD and David Ozar, PhD
August 2014, pp. 26-29
Donald Patthoff, DDS, MAGD and David Ozar, PhD
August 2015, pp. 21-23
Donald Patthoff, DDS, MAGD and David Ozar, PhD
October 2015, pp. 28-31
David T. Ozar, PhD and Donald Patthoff, DDS, MAGD
March 2016, pp. 29-31
AGD Impact Creating Opportunities for Meaningful Ethics Dialogue
A series of ethical dilemmas was published in the Texas Dental Journal between 1993 and 2005. The lead author of these dilemmas, Dr. Thomas K. Hasegawa, died tragically in 2005. The dilemmas remain an important legacy for dentistry. Use the index below for links to PDF files of each dilemma.
- Format. Each ethical dilemma was originally introduced in one issue of the Texas Dental Journal with the question, “What would you do?” The more expansive analysis of the dilemma was presented in a subsequent issue. The second page of each dilemma file depicts the cover of the issue containing the analysis of the dilemma, not the issue containing the briefer introduction to the dilemma. The ethical dilemmas were compiled for digital use by the American College of Dentists in 2008. The ethical dilemmas are no longer available on compact disc (CD), see the download links below.
- Purpose. These ethical dilemma are only meant to further your knowledge and understanding of dental ethics by presenting, discussing, and analyzing hypothetical ethical dilemmas that may occur in dental settings. The dilemmas are not intended to: a) provide legal advice; b) provide advice or assistance in the diagnosis or treatment of dental diseases or conditions; or c) provide advice or assistance in the management of dental patients, practices, or personnel.
- Terms of Use. To use the digital ethical dilemmas in the series you must first agree to the Terms of Use. By using the dilemmas, any or all in the series, you are affirming your acceptance of said Terms of Use and your concurrence with the Purpose presented immediately above.
- Permission. The ethical dilemmas are used with the permission of the Texas Dental Journal.
- Support. Support the American College of Dentists for more information about this digital series of ethical dilemmas.
Index of Ethical Dilemmas
Click on the links below for PDF files of the individual dilemmas. Please note—the files are somewhat large and may take a few minutes to open.
| No. | Dilemma Title | Author(s) | Issue |
| 1 | Is Mom Losing It? | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS | (September 1993), 110(9), 17-18 |
| 2 | Dr. Boley’s Dilemma | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS | (October 1993), 110(10), 47-49 |
| 3 | “Let’s pull it, Mom” | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant Gary Coleman, DDS, MS, consultant | (December 1993), 110(12), 27-29 |
| 5 | Confidentiality for a Pregnant Adolescent? | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant | (February 1994), 111(2), 23-25 |
| 6 | “…the pain is really bad and I need something (Percodan) NOW!” | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant Tommy Gage, DDS, PhD, consultant | (March 1994), 111(3), 39-42 |
| 7 | “I want the whitest teeth!” | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant | (April 1994), 111(4), 37-40 |
| 8 | “I don’t want to lose my tooth” | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant | (May 1994), 111(5), 48-50 |
| 9 | Will You Stand Behind Your Work? | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant | (June 1994), 111(6), 52-54 |
| 10 | The Patient’s (Fraudulent) Request | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant Carl D. Ellis, DDS, consultant | (July 1994), 111(7), 35-37 |
| 11 | “Skip the gum work and start the bridges” | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant Carl D. Ellis, DDS, consultant | (September 1994), 111(9), 49-51 |
| 12 | Conflict, Collusion or Collaboration: Who Benefits from a Referral? | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant Carl D. Ellis, DDS, consultant | (October 1994), 111(10), 43-45 |
| 13 | The Dental Assistant and Substance Abuse | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant Carl D. Ellis, DDS, consultant | (November 1994), 111(11), 60-63 |
| 14 | Radiation Treatment Dilemma | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant Neil L. Frederiksen, DDS, PhD, consultant | (December 1994), 111(12), 42-45 |
| 15 | The Painful Diagnostic Dilemma | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant John W. Harrison, DMD, MS | (January 1995), 112(1), 50-53 |
| 16 | Carole’s Unexpected Pulpitis | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant E. Steven Duke, DDS, MSD, consultant | (February 1995), 112(2), 81-85 |
| 17 | “Crank it up!” Patient Seeks a “High” from Nitrous | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant Bryan N. Henderson II, DDS, consultant | (March 1995), 112(3), 56-59 |
| 18 | The Friendly, Litigious Patient | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant Mark J. Hanna, JD, consultant | (April 1995), 112(4), 43-47 |
| 19 | Overtreatment or Appropriate Treatment? | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant | (May 1995), 112(5), 37-41 |
| 20 | The Patient Who Sexually Harasses the Dental Staff | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant | (June 1995), 112(6), 35-39 |
| 21 | Clinical Requirements and Dental School Blues | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant | (July 1995), 112(7), 47-51 |
| 22 | Ethics of Managed Dental Care | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant | (September 1995), 112(9), 45-48 |
| 23 | “I Just Can’t Bear to See Him Anymore” | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant | (October 1995), 112(10), 69-72 |
| 24 | Confidentiality for an Eating Disorders Patient | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant Barbara Altshuler, RDH, MS | (November 1995), 112(11), 72-75 |
| 25 | Dental Clinical Examining Board Dilemma | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant | (December 1995), 112(12), 44-46 |
| 26 | “Should we throw this (avulsed) tooth away?” | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant Eddy Tidwell, DMD, MS, consultant | (February 1996), 113(2), 62-64 |
| 27 | Trade or Profession—The Ethics of Advertising | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant | (March 1996), 113(3), 70-72 |
| 28 | “You’re the Doc, I trust you…just do it!” | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant | (April 1996), 113(4), 113-114 |
| 29 | The Patient Fractures His (RCT) Tooth—Who Is Responsible? | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant John W. Harrison, DMD, MS | (May 1996), 113(5), 47-48 |
| 30 | Headache/Orofacial Pain Diagnostic Dilemma | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant Richard Harper, DDS, FRCD(C), consultant | (June 1996), 113(6), 71-74 |
| 31 | “Is it cancer?” | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant John M. Wright, DDS, MS, consultant | (July 1996), 113(7), 45-47 |
| 32 | Retailing Vitamins in the Dental Office | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant Jeffry R. Hill, JD, consultant | (September 1996), 113(9), 60-62 |
| 33 | Bad News Bearers | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant John M. Wright, DDS, MS, consultant | (October 1996), 113(10), 32-62 |
| 34 | The Specialist’s Gift | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD, consultant | (January/February 2001), 118(1), 84-87 |
| 35 | The Patient’s Errant Checkbook | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD Lloyd A. George, DDS, Med, JD | (April 2001), 118(3), 273-276 |
| 36 | The Endodontist’s Painful Dilemma | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS, MA Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD Bruce Peltier, PHD David Witherspoon, BDSc, MS, BEcon | (July 2001), 118(7), 559-562 |
| 37 | Ethical Issues of Domestic Violence | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD Marylou Gutmann, BSDH, MA | (October 2001), 118(10), 988-992 |
| 38 | Sensitive (Ethical) Issues for the Periodontist | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD Thomas W. Stanford, Jr. DDS, MS | (January 2002), 119(1), 85-87 |
| 39 | Caring for the Child—The Pediatric Dentist’s Dilemma | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD Alton McWhorter, DDS, MS | (April 2002), 119(4), 359-361 |
| 40 | Plaque, Puberty, and Noncompliance—the Orthodontic Dilemma | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS, MA Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD Reginald Taylor, DMD, DMSc | (July 2002), 119(7), 645-647 |
| 41 | Pregnancy, X-rays and Risks—The Radiology Dilemma | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS, MA Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD Neil Frederiksen, DDS, PhD | (October 2002), 119(10), 1049-1051 |
| 42 | “Grin and Bear It”—The Frustrated Denture Wearer | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS, MA Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD Ronald D. Woody, DDS | (January 2003), 120(1), 101-103 |
| 43 | Anxious (Patient) About Amalgam | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS, MA Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD Marvin Hirsh, DDS | (April 2003), 120(4), 365-367 |
| 44 | When the File Breaks | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS, MA Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD Gerald Glickman, DDS, MS | (July 2003), 120(7), 607-609 |
| 45 | “Doc, if you can’t stop smoking, why should I?” | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS, MA Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD Vendrell Rankin, DDS Sarah S. Pollex, MPH | (October 2003), 120(10), 991-993 |
| 46 | “I’m sure it’s all right (swallowed/aspirated casting?)” | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS, MA Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD David M. Grogan, DDS, MSD | (January 2004), 121(1), 99-101 |
| 47 | Friend or Patient…or Both? | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS, MA Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD David M. Grogan, DDS, MSD | (April 2004), 121(4), 329-331 |
| 48 | Who Cares for the Incompetent Patient? | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS, MA Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD Michael Reed, DDS | (July 2004), 121(7), 616-619 |
| 49 | Extreme Makeover—We Want Her to Be a Winner | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS, MA Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD Charles W. Wakefield, DDS | (October 2004), 121(10), 995-998 |
| 50 | The Impaired Practitioner—Intervene or Report | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS, MA Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD JoAnn Scofield, RDH, MS Holly Johnston, LMSW | (January 2005), 122(1), 101-103 |
| 51 | Dealing with Uncertainty—Bisphosphonate-related Osteonecrosis | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS, MA Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD David M. Grogan, DDS, MSD | (April 2005), 122(4), 385-387 |
| 52 | Transferring Records of the Demanding Patient | Thomas K. Hasegawa, Jr., DDS, MA Merrill Matthews, Jr., PhD Bruce Peltier, PhD, MBA | (July 2005), 122(7), 683-685 |
The Dental Ethics Survey was created for professors to use with their students in dental school.
- For professors–in order to receive your students’ responses, please complete the course registration form below.
- For students–please click here to register for and enter the survey.
This text is written for dental students and residents. While other readers may find it useful, its purpose is to provide a brief and clear introduction to the ethics of the profession of dentistry.
Dr. Peltier is Professor of Psychology and Ethics at the Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific in San Francisco, where he has taught for 25 years.
Dr. Jenson served as Clinical Professor of Dentistry and Lecturer at the University of California, San Francisco for 23 years and practiced in Nevada and California for 30 years. His Master’s degree is in Philosophy.
The authors of this text are dental educators and ethicists, not attorneys. Please do not construe the contents of this document to be legal advice.
This version is a working draft and will be adjusted and edited in the future. Please do not forward or publish it without permission. Use bpeltier@pacific.edu to contact the authors.
The Core Values and Aspirational Code of Ethics of the American College of Dentists were first developed in 1996 and can be saved to your computer or printed.