Is Dentistry a Profession? Part 3. Future Challenges


Is Dentistry a Profession? Part 3. Future Challenges FULL TEXT • Jos V.M. Welie, MMedS, JD, PhD • A b s t r a c t In 2 earlier articles a definition of professionalism was developed, and several specific professional responsibilities were deduced. This third and final article in the series examines whether dentistry qualifies as a profession. On various levels, the professionalism of dentistry is found wanting. However, attaining the status of a profession is a work in progress, which means that each profession will always have some deficiencies. The author concludes that dentistry qualifies as a profession but that it is also exhibiting a trend toward once again becoming a business (as it was before the 19th century). For the sake of honesty with the public, dentistry must make a choice between these 2 models MeSH Key Words: dental care/standards; dentist-patient relations; ethics, dental; professional practice/trends Related information:
Is Dentistry a Profession? Part 1. Professionalism Defined Is Dentistry a Profession? Part 2. The Hallmarks of Professionalism
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