Planning for treatment ethically

While dentistry remains firstly a health profession, it is naive and unrealistic not to realise that business considerations and financial compensation for services rendered play an important role in achieving a successful private practice. A fundamental principle of professional ethics in healthcare is that serving a patient's best interests should always take precedence over any consideration of profit or personal gain. George Merck, the founder of Merck Pharmaceuticals said 'Medicine is for the patient, not for the profits. The profits follow'..., the same can be said for dentistry. However, since dentists are in a position to gain financially from their professional recommendations, there is a risk of their having a conflict of interest, whether actual or perceived.DHE