Formal ethics instruction in dental education

Abstract

The status of the formal instruction in ethics in dental education was addressed by means of a survey of dental schools and a content analysis of dental ethics literature. Although three-fourths of the respondents indicated at least a minimal level of commitment to teaching ethics, there was no agreement about what is being taught under the guise of ethics. This article focuses on the following significant questions about instruction in ethics: Should ethics be taught in the dental curriculum? Should ethics instruction be required? Who should teach dental ethics? What should be content and method of instruction in dental ethics?