The Tribune

By Dr Andre Clarke

Is your dentist a professional? Or is he just an individual who has a degree in dentistry? After your dentist graduated from dental school, he became a participant in a profession and not necessarily a professional. Joining a profession will not automatically make an individual a professional.

A profession is commonly described as a long and specialised occupation grounded in higher education; usually governed by a special code of ethics. A professional fulfills the demands of his profession in a competent, respectful and ethical manner. If a dentist wants to call himself a professional, he should also act as one.

Dentistry is recognised as an honorable profession worldwide. It is a profession that helps all persons in the community. Without a doubt, it positively impacts the public. In this vane, it is important that its public perception is maintained and not soiled by the trespasses of a few false professionals.

When you call yourself a professional, you should assume the title with all the obligations attached. A 'tru, tru' dental professional respects the views of patients; places a patient's interests first; has dignity and is honest; and acts in an ethical way.

Ethics is a branch of both philosophy and theology. It is the systematic study of what is right and good with respect to character and conduct. The rightness or wrongness of our actions and the goodness or badness of our intentions. It is ethics that makes a good professional a great professional.

The ability to decipher what needs to be done and why it needs to be done should never be underestimated. It goes hand in hand with good character and good conduct. Therefore, it is not hard to appreciate why a dentist with exemplary ethical standards should be perceived as a diamond in any society.

These diamonds have no easy task. They are faced with maintaining high values and good principles when making decisions within the dental profession. It takes lifelong dedication in order to affirm good old fashion upstanding principles. In the end it is worth it. They will be true professionals. They will be able to make significant contributions to the art and science of dentistry, to the society as a whole and also to individual patients.

All dental professionals, upon graduation, have an obligation of service to any member of the society that needs their help. Dentists have an obligation to use their knowledge, experience and skill to improve the mouth health of the public. It must always be service above self. Of note, the knowledge they are using, must always be up to date.

Even though the dentist has an obligation of service, he still has the right to refuse to diagnose or treat persons. When he exercises this right, he must be careful that he is not guilty of discrimination. Patients with dental emergencies or at health risk from a dental condition should not be turned away. They should be treated or referred as appropriate to the condition.

Also, it is of particular interest, that dentists should never use their position of influence to solicit or develop romantic relationships with patients.

If romantic interests do develop, the dentist should consider terminating the dentist-patient relationship. It is very important that the dentist avoids creating perceptions of inappropriate behavior; sexual or otherwise. Personal life should not be intertwined with professional life; that can be a remedy for disaster.

It is wise for any 'tru, tru' professional to govern himself by four fundamental principles of ethics. They are autonomous (self governing); non-maleficent (avoiding doing harm); beneficent (promoting well-being); and just (upholding fairness). These four principles will be invaluable in pursuing ideals in professional ethics.

I find it appropriate to end this week's article, with the two questions I started it with. Is your dentist a professional? Or is he just an individual who has a degree in dentistry? Hopefully, you are in a better position to answer those two questions.

I sincerely hope you can all shout in unison, My dentist is a professional.

Keep your mouth alive.