Interview Ethical Question Prep

[DentalAptitude]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Many schools will ask you how you would handle ______ situation, or thoughts on an ethically grey area. Here's a great example:

"They wanted to do root canals on [the toddler's primary] teeth that didn't even have a cavity!" (And 13 fillings!)

http://bit.ly/2fCyR5v

You are the dentist giving a second opinion. What's your course of action? Should this dentist be reported to their state board? How would you answer.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[WheatLom]

Many schools will ask you how you would handle ______ situation, or thoughts on an ethically grey area. Here's a great example:

"They wanted to do root canals on [the toddler's primary] teeth that didn't even have a cavity!" (And 13 fillings!)

http://bit.ly/2fCyR5v

You are the dentist giving a second opinion. What's your course of action? Should this dentist be reported to their state board? How would you answer.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

I would primarily do my own comprehensive exam and make my own determination. Then I would compare it to the contested diagnosis. If there are disturbing inconsistencies. I would ask the patient if I can consult with the doctor and communicate with them. If there was something unethical happening then it would be an obligation to report it. It is important to do things with consent and protocol. You do not want to compromise a patient provider relationship on a hunch.

 

[DentalAptitude]

Love that answer! Concise and confident response.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[WheatLom]

Love that answer! Concise and confident response.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

There are cases when patients do need excessive fillings or preventive procedures. I have worked on a patient with a case similar to this. Older but not much more. It was explained to me by the dentist as a possible genetic component. Usually the teeth don't deteriorate that fast.

 

[schmoob]

There are cases when patients do need excessive fillings or preventive procedures. I have worked on a patient with a case similar to this. Older but not much more. It was explained to me by the dentist as a possible genetic component. Usually the teeth don't deteriorate that fast.

Yeah but you wouldn't restore a tooth that doesn't need restoring. If it's preventative, you seal it. Restoring it is the removal of carious lesions; if there are no lesions, you do not restore. Even if there are small incipient lesions, you can seal it to arrest the caries. This is common practice, especially with the primary dentition with lots of pits and fissures.

 

[WheatLom]

Yeah but you wouldn't restore a tooth that doesn't need restoring. If it's preventative, you seal it. Restoring it is the removal of carious lesions; if there are no lesions, you do not restore. Even if there are small incipient lesions, you can seal it to arrest the caries. This is common practice, especially with the primary dentition with lots of pits and fissures.

never do anything that isn't needed. Unless there is a consent by the patient to do something that is preventative and does not put risk on the existing health of the tooth.

I was saying that while the case may be extreme there are cases when this could be a warranted issue.