Cosmetic dentistry, commercial influence, and the ethics of elective care- Repeat

Cosmetic Dentistry, Commercial Influence, and the Ethics of Elective Care

Cosmetic and elective dental care, including veneers, aligners, whitening, implants, and smile makeovers, raises important ethical questions about patient autonomy, informed consent, commercial influence, and professional responsibility. This session will examine the ethical tensions surrounding cosmetic and elective dental care, including informed consent, overtreatment, body image, commercial pressure, social media influence, and the blurring line between health care and consumer service. Participants will consider how dental professionals can honor patient autonomy while still upholding their duties to avoid unnecessary treatment, communicate honestly, and protect the integrity of the profession.

Learning Objectives.

* Describe key ethical concerns associated with elective and cosmetic dental treatment.

* Evaluate whether informed consent is sufficient when patients request elective care shaped by social media, marketing, or unrealistic aesthetic expectations.

* Analyze how commercial incentives and consumer-driven dentistry may influence clinical recommendations and professional judgment.

* Apply core ethical concepts to determine when respecting patient choice may conflict with the dentist's other professional obligations.