Self-effacement is a difficult challenge for some providers. When their professional ehtics and personal morals conflict, health care providers may feel trapped in a dilemma that has no acceptable resolution. In some instances, legal requirements bolster the ethical requirement to be self-effacing. For example, according to the ADA Code, "dentists shall not refuse to accept patients...or deny dental service to patients because of the patient's race, creed, color, sex, or national." Discriminating against patients because of these attributes is unethical and violates civil rights. Providers are held to the highest standards of ethics and should tolerate differences in values. Patients who are morally reprehensible to dentists must be treated with the same degree of care and compassion as other patients receive.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

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Ethics and insurance billings.

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Ethics, Dental↗

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The ethical foundations of a duty to treat HIV-positive patients.

Unfortunately, those who commit the most egregious acts of HIV-related discrimination may not be motivated to change either by fines and sanctions, or by educational programs. Perhaps the best solution to dealing with the small, but significant, number of health care providers who discriminate against HIV-positive patients is the action of the majority. Most dentists are ethical and concerned health care professionals, who willingly care for patients with a wide array of medical problems. This majority must continue to serve as an example to those who refuse to care for HIV-positive patients, and must make it clear that such actions are professionally intolerable.

American Dental Association↗

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Issues of justice in dentistry.

Perhaps the greatest appeal of holding individuals responsible for behavior-related health problems arises from the idea of just desserts. Some individuals believe that a person who engages in risky behaviors deserves to suffer and should not expect pity. Health care providers with such opinions are not permitted to discriminate against patients in high-risk behavior groups. Some conduct may seem offensive or unnecessary to health care providers; however, they must care compassionately for those whose problems arise from such behaviors. Beneficence requires that dentists use their skills to help those in need, and set aside notions of punishing patients.

Aged↗

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Ethics and direct marketing to patients.

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Conflict of Interest↗

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Informed consent across cultures.

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Adult↗