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University of Kentucy College of Dentistry 
Building a Foundation for the Future
 
Continuing Education

Professional Ethics in Dentistry by Correspondence

Registration and Learning Format

This course can only be taken by correspondence. Registrants will receive an extensive course syllabus consisting of instructions for course progression, learning objectives, learning resources, required readings and learning exercises. Personal consultation is available throughout the learning experience by telephone or e-mail. An "open book" examination must be submitted and accepted prior to the awarding of continuing education credit. This course has been approved by the Kentucky Board of Dentistry for 16 hours and meets Category C requirements for dentists and dental hygienists in Kentucky.

Tuition: $395
16 CE hours

Course Overview

This is an introductory course on the ethical issues associated with being a member of society as well as a dentist. It is designed for practicing dentists desiring or needing a learning experience in the responsibilities incurred as a member of a learned profession.

The course considers the moral obligations that dentists incur as ordinary members of society. In this context, the course reviews and justifies normative rules of morality that are necessary for all to live by if we are to sustain an ordered society. The concept of character and the virtues underlying moral behavior are examined.

The sociological concept of profession and what it means to be a professional are considered. The course examines the unique duties and obligations incurred by becoming a member of the profession of dentistry. In this context, concepts, principles and rules of professional ethics are examined in detail with practical clinical case scenarios used to examine their application.

The course also considers the Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct of the American Dental Association. The relevance and applicability of the Principles and Code to clinical practice is made. Throughout the course, exercises and case studies drawn from clinical examples are used to enable the dentist to understand, analyze and apply the concepts, principles and rules of ethics, which are advanced.

Course Objectives

The course pursues the following goals:

• To sensitize dentists to the moral dimensions of life and professional practice

• To develop in dentists skills of ethical analysis

• To develop in dentists respect for disagreement and toleration of ambiguity

• To assist dentists in explicating the moral responsibilities incurred in being a member of the profession of dentistry

• To motivate dentists' continued learning of ethics

Questions regarding registration or the course's content or format should be directed to the UK College of Dentistry Continuing Education Office at (859) 323-8155 or 8187.

David A. Nash, D.M.D., Ed.D., is the William R. Willard Professor of Dental Education and professor of pediatric dentistry and bioethics at the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center. From 1987-1997 he was dean of the UK College of Dentistry. In addition to being a frequent contributor to the literature of ethics in dentistry, Dr. Nash directs the College of Dentistry's three year curriculum in professional ethics for student dentists. He also chairs the UK Hospital's Ethics Committee. He has served as a visiting professor in over 25 of our nation's colleges of dentistry and is a frequent speaker at state, regional and national meetings on the topic of professional ethics. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and brings the perspective of a clinical dentist to the important consideration of professional ethics.