JIIMS final.cdr


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The art and science of dentistry has

p ro g re s s e d v e r y r a p i d l y s i n c e t h e

introduction of the high-speed handpiece in
1the 1950s. There has been a paradigm shift

from paternalistic management of obvious

problems to a medical model of dental care,

w h i c h i n c l u d e s p r e v e n t i o n a n d

management of dental disease and

prosthetic rehabilitation to restore normal

oral function. Discovery of the relationship

between oral health and systemic disease

has raised awareness concerning the

importance of oral health. Advancements in

technology offer a variety of solutions for

managing similar dental situations and it is

incumbent upon each practitioner, as a

member of an ethical profession, to educate 

patients about their appropriate treatment

o p t i o n s , a l l o w i n g t h e m t o m a k e

autonomous treatment choices that are in

their best interest. It generally is understood

that many treatment options are available
2for any given dental condition. A definite

decision-making process helps to determine

the appropriateness of each treatment

modality.

Dentistry is a moral profession, guided by

normative principles. As a result; dentists

are obligated to choose a course of treatment

that allows them to be “caring and fair in
3their contact with patients.” Although

increased commercialism may be difficult to

avoid, patient autonomy should be the

overwhelming decision. Members of the

dental profession and the community at

large expect dentists to act ethically,

according to a balance of certain norms: non-

malfeasance, beneficence, justice, veracity,
4and respect for patient autonomy. The

personal virtues of the dentist and the

intrinsic values of the profession, the

patient, and society must be considered

when choosing appropriate treatment for

any given situation.

It is pertinent to explore the elements of

decision making in dental care, as patient

participation is a field which has both ethical

and legal implications in an increasingly

user-focused, 'consumerist' health service,

given that most dental care is paid for, in part

or whole, by the patient. More importantly,

b y i d e n t i f y i n g t h e p a t i e n t ' s d e n t a l

preferences as active, passive or somewhere

in-between, clinicians would obtain an

insight not only into the outcome the

patients has perceived but also in

deciphering between different patient

personalities.

Dentists need to help patient participation in

the decision making by explaining the

nature of the disease, treatment options,

benefits of the options, time required in

completing the treatment and most

importantly the cost incurred in achieving

the desired treatment.

1. A millennium of dentistryA look into the past,

present and future of dentistry. Available at:

http://www.agd.org/public/oralhealth/Defa

References

EDITORIAL

-------------------------------------------------

Ulfat Bashir

Decision Making in Dental Health Seeking Behaviors

Correspondence:

Prof. Ulfat Bashir
HOD Orthodontics Department
Islamic International Dental College
Islamabad

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ult.asp?IssID=305&Topic=H&ArtID=1255.

Accessed July 20, 2007.

2. Healthy People 2010, vol. 2. Washington,

DC: Department of Health and Human Services;

2000.

3. American Dental Association. Principles of

ethics and code of professional conduct.

Available at: http://www.ada.org/prof/prac/

law/ code/ada_code.pdf. Accessed June 2007.

4. Windholrn R, Cuenin M. An implant versus a

conventional fixed prosthesis: A case report. Gen

Dent 2007; 55:44-47.

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