Abstract
Bioethics is the most appropriate and moral way of dealing with sensitive situations that arise in the field of medicine. This is more so in contemporary times with the advent of technology. Beneficence demands that health care providers develop and maintain skills and knowledge, continually update training, consider individual circumstances of all patients, and strive for patients’ well-being and benefit. Problems arising from unethical approach have now reached global proportions and this has prompted global institutions to work on this and create awareness amongst health care workers toward ethical approach. A pleasing appearance in today’s world has become a necessity, the smile being a prime asset to an individual’s appearance. Feeling attractive is directly related to elevated self-esteem. However, the objectives of cosmetic dentistry need to be met with unscrupulous treatment, keeping in mind dental ethics and adhering to the principles.
Consider a 20-year-old patient who reports to your clinic with the chief complaint of forwardly placed teeth and to seek aesthetic treatment. Patient is aware that he/she may be treated to a result he/she desires by orthodontic or by cosmetic dentistry procedures. What are the factors that will help you make a choice? Is it “beneficence or bucks?” We will be faced with such bioethical dilemmas frequently.
I am often asked the question “What is bioethics?” Initially, I used to tell people the definition of bioethics. However, with time I realized that a simple communication would be more appropriate. Bioethics is the most appropriate and moral way of dealing with the situation that arises in the field of medicine, more so in contemporary times with the advent of technology. This includes all issues from plagiarism to patient management.
Problems arising from unethical approach have now reached global proportions and this has prompted global institutions to work on this and create awareness amongst health care workers toward ethical approach. The UNESCO Chair in bioethics, Haifa, has taken lead in this and subsequently the Indian National Bioethics Program was established in India. It is with great pride I share that the Indian orthodontic society is the first Indian specialty to have a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with UNESCO Chair in bioethics, Haifa.
Next question is “Why should I know about bioethics?”
“The eyes cannot see what the mind does not know.” In contemporary dentistry with increasing disarray between patients and doctors and rise in the number of legal cases, the knowledge of contemporary bioethics is not only desirable but also mandatory.
With all equal, a patient would definitely choose the doctor more ethical in his approach.
How do I learn more on bioethics?
Bioethics has now been introduced in the curriculum by the regulatory bodies. Students and those who are in practice need to update in the subject by attending seminars, workshops, and lectures organized by recognized institutions in this subject. UNESCO Chair in bioethics, Haifa, holds many accreditation programs to further the cause.
Can I get accreditation in bioethics?
UNESCO Chair in bioethics conducts several programs to create awareness amongst dentists. Dr Russell D’Souza is the Asia Pacific Head; Dr Mary Mathew, the Indian Head; and Dr Rajiv Ahluwalia, the Secretary of the National Indian Dental Bioethics Program, UNESCO Chair Bioethics, Haifa. Many lectures and workshops are conducted under this umbrella. Now IOS has tied up with UNESCO Chair bioethics, Haifa, with a MOU showing its commitment toward this cause.
“Catch them young”
Student life members (SLM) should be the focus for all future efforts.
Plagiarism in research and publications is a serious breach in bioethics and now has serious legal ramifications. University Grants Commission has also taken this issue very seriously.
Briefly bioethics has 4 principles:
Autonomy Autonomy deals with fully explaining to the patient, the diagnosis and all options of treatment modalities including their risks and benefits. In the end, patient is given the autonomy (final decision authority to choose the treatment option). For example, adult patients can be explained about metal and ceramic brackets and then given the autonomy to choose. Beneficence This requires that the procedure be provided with the intent of doing good for the patient involved (see Justice After diagnosis and treatment, it must be evident that justice was done toward the patient cause. The efforts and monetary input of the patient should meet its worth. The idea is that burdens and benefits of new or experimental treatments must be distributed equally among all groups in society. The health care provider must consider 4 main areas when evaluating justice: fair distribution of scarce resources, competing needs, rights and obligations, and potential conflicts with established legislation. A patient who undergoes fixed orthodontic treatment should hence meet the goals of esthetic harmony, structural balance, and functional balance. Nonmaleficence This requires that a procedure does not harm the patient involved or even others in society. This principle is intended to be the end goal for all of a practitioner’s decisions, and means that medical providers must consider whether other people or society could be harmed by a decision made, even if it is made for the benefit of an individual patient, eg, choosing a surgical approach toward solving a severe malocclusion is done with the sole intention of treatment that would provide best result for the patient.
We need to always uphold these principles with zero error. It is recommended to attend lectures and workshops for further knowledge. Bioethics must be taught effectively and practiced in our dental schools. It is necessary that bioethical values, such as dignity, human rights, respect for autonomy, and vulnerability are discussed and incorporated into academic practice.
Dental schools, associations, and councils must undertake the mammoth task of educating the “existing dental healthcare workers” of their bioethical obligations. Next bioethics must be taught as a primary, focused, and important aspect of a bachelors and a masters’ program.
Bioethics and patient care are more understood once you become a patient. We should manage and treat patients, as we would like to be dealt with.
Be the change you want to see!
Footnotes
Declaration of Conflicting Interests
The author declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.
Funding
The author received no financial support for the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.