Arresting Our Ethics
Economy, economy, economy…that’s all we hear these days to justify our actions truly sometimes unbecoming for us to be called dentists or doctors. Patients come with situations and entrust their well being to us. And, this trust is a power they give us that we need to handle truly with care. In truth, however, most often than not we don’t. 
Again, economy, economy, economy…that seems to be the word of the century. Anybody can understand this contention because currently it is not an excuse but a reality. So, as dental practitioners, when do we compromise? When can we say it is okay not to provide this to our patients? As dental practitioners, we sometimes tend to forget that we are not just here for the money. It is truly a field where service and integrity is much expected of us. But, since, it seems to be an idealism that may not be reach by a majority of us, then, let’s get down to basics. When do we stop being doctors and start being a businessperson? In my humble opinion, it is when we endanger the safety of our patients no matter how minimal it will be. For example, Porcelain Repair Treatment. It is the objective of the patient to save money by not changing their crown or bridge when there’s a chip on its porcelain. Sounds simple enough, right? The treatment is also simple, but majority of us don’t use a very simple material that can protect the patient from gingival damage in using hydrofluoric acid intra-orally. Why? Well, you said it, economy. So, let me ask, if it’s the other way around, is it truly okay for you that your dentist will not use Etch Arrest, a sodium bicarbonate material that can protect you from accidental gingival damage during the etching of the porcelain because of economic reasons? Can you be that understanding because if it happens it will not kill you anyway? Will you allow yourself or your loved ones to be exposed on this kind of danger no matter how minimal? Is it truly justifiable for you that your own dentist or doctor to arrest their ethics due to economic reasons? The answer is within you…
