TNLG2 - Recognizing the Ethical Dimensions of Clinical Care: Decision-Making in Dilemma Cases

Ethical dilemmas can be defined as situations where, no matter the choice of options, a burden and benefit are simultaneously present for both the care provider and the patient. In situations where uncertainty exists about what care is most appropriate, it is essential to be able to reason through the dilemma of which options do the most good and least harm. Furthermore, there is always a duality of responsibility — a responsibility to the patient being cared for but also a responsibility to the profession itself. Because an ethical dimension in the care environment is always present, being willing and able to recognize ethical issues is the first step in the process of managing them. In this session, video case scenarios will be used to present and stimulate discussion about common and sometimes subtle ethical issues in the care of dental patients.