Truth Telling as an Element of Ethical Behaviour and Professional Commitment in Dentistry: A Case Study Assessing Non-Disclosure Action

Abstract

Being truthful with patients is a critical foundation of the doctor-patient relationship and is fundamental to development of trust. A professional commitment to truth telling may sometimes contradict other principles of bioethics, which may challenge decision-making for the doctor and/or the treatment team. Practitioners may fail to address all ethical or legal aspects of a case and therefore make inappropriate decisions.