Responsible Dentistry- Philosophical Dialogues On Quality!

Responsible Dentistry- A new terminology as well as a broader concept of Quality Dental Practice -designed primarily to enhance the well being of dental patients along with maximizing dentist’s Personal and Professional satisfaction by minimizing the negative Personal, Professional, Clinical, Economic, Environmental, Legal, and Ethical Impacts. 

Who Is A Quality Dentist?

  • Responsible Human being-with different roles in his/her personal settings or Family life.
  • Responsible Citizen-Duties towards the Country/Public/Nature
  • Responsible Dentist- duties towards his/her Patients
  • Responsible Professional- Professionalism towards his colleagues.


Define -being Responsible! Being Responsible!! Is It The Willingness To Act Responsibly?

  • Being Responsible for self-errors. (Principal of Human factors)
  • Being Responsible towards Society & Public
  • Being Responsible towards Profession
  • Being Responsible towards Nature


Personally Responsible Dentist

  • Protect own Patients , own Family, Colleagues, Profession, Public at large as well as mother nature from risks posed by own Physical health, Mental Health, Beliefs ,Conduct ,Habits & other factors.
  • Do not mislead or false represent.


Financially Responsible Dentist

  • Obey the rules as a responsible citizen of the country by paying applicable Taxes in time.
  • Will hold valid Professional Indemnity insurance.
  • Accept the Idea of Uniform minimum Charges for the betterment of the profession.
  • Upgrade to activate idea of Universal Health Coverage for the benefit of Public
  • Invest to upgrade the practice at regular Intervals.
  • Give Estimate & Receipts and protecting patient rights.
  • Spend own valuable earning wisely and positively for the benefit of own Family and beneficiaries.
  • Pay the Minimum mandatory salary to Assistants and Auxiliaries
  • Plan a Graceful retirement at early years.
  • Maintain book of accounts of his finances.


Socially Responsible Dentist

  • Understands the fact that money is yours but the resource is the public.
  • Refill the said capital resource by Donating Time, Money & Expertise to the less privileged in the society by actively participating with NGOs including Indian Dental Association in public health promotion activities.


Legally Responsible Dentist

  • Shall be aware of about the all the existing laws governing dental practice since, Ignorance of Law is not an excuse!!
  • Shall be Up to date with various mandatory Departmental Registrations for dental practice.
  • Shall not deny the Human Rights- of a student, patient or staff as a clinical Teacher, of a patient as a clinical Student, of a patient or of an employee as a Private Practitioner.
  • Shall Inform the Dental Council or authority, if you are subject to criminal proceedings or a regulatory finding is made against you.
  • Shall Co-operate with any relevant formal or informal inquiry and give full and truthful information.


Ethically Responsible Dentist

  • Put patients’ interests first
  • Communicate effectively & honestly with patients
  • Obtain valid consent
  • Maintain and protect patients’ information
  • Have a clear and effective complaints procedure
  • Work with colleagues in a way that is in patients’ best interests
  • Maintain, develop and work within your professional knowledge and skills.
  • Raise concerns if patients are at risk
  • Make sure your personal behavior maintains patients’ confidence in you and the dental profession


Professionally Responsible Dentist

  • Will keep away from Inappropriate Conduct which ruins the trust of public on the profession.
  • Will keep Professional Equality & Team Work
  • The profession should be viewed as a partnership of equals & Teamwork with Auxiliaries
  • Judgement in Peer Relations
  • Most of the dentist in Kochi should not make disparaging comments about fellow dentists or their work, to a patient or the public.
  • Dentists must not compete for patients or professional services by methods that would adversely affect the honor, dignity or prestige of the dental profession.
  • Dentist must not compare their professional competence to that of other dentists


Environmentally Responsible Dentist


Shall explore the possibilities of,
  • Silver Mercury filling removal protocol & Mercury Phase out/ Minnamatta Convention .
  • Radiography- ALARA principle.
  • Green building protocol
  • Solar energy
  • Biomedical waste management
  • Office Waste management
  • Reduce, Reuse, Recycle principle.
  • Chemicals & Toxins management
  • Follow the regulations in place


Clinically Responsible Dentist


Shall be ready with,
  • Universal Protocol on Infection control
  • Evidence based Dental Practice
  • HALT principle about  Human factors for reducing Errors & Adverse effects
  • IM SAFE-Performance Shaping factors checklist to reduce adverse effects.
  • Minimally Invasive Dentistry
  • Biomimetic Dentistry.
  • Dental Surgeons to Oral Physicians
  • Treatment According to an Accepted Plan for a pain free oral function with Competence, fairness & Accountability by protecting patient Autonomy, Dignity & Confidentiality.
  • Appropriate Selection of Materials applying the precautionary principle.


Let Us Discuss A Few Of The Main Hurdles !


It is difficult to conceive that, Quality is everyone's responsibility or in other words being responsible on the said areas defines the quality of dental profession. Inter-Generational Equity & Intra Generational Equity on nature explain and consider the concern about the needs & rights of future generations, which has led to the concept of Sustainable development.

The present Scenario of Dentistry is misinterpreted the idea of Quality & Responsibility & will struggle to find the space among majority of professional minds due to various reasons majorly economic restrictions and  lack of social demands. Recent developments in policy making have aired a clear message on these points. Let's be hopeful and be proud of this concept is born in India.

“Quality  is Professional’s Responsibility.”
Location: Kochi, Kerala, India

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