Business Ethics

Question 1

Business ethics - bioethics vs business

Answer 1

Bioethics - individual moral dilemmas of modern healthcare practice
Business ethics - how corporations can incorporate ethical perspective into business practices

Question 2

How should profit be made?

Answer 2

Profit must be a fair return for quality goods and service with no exploitation of patients or staff

Question 3

The conflict between money and patients

Answer 3

Level of financial gain to the dentist must never be a consideration in any of the dentists professional recommendations. A patients ability to pay for services may be a consideration in the recommendations of the dentist, but that is to be discussed between the dentist and the patient, and for the patient to decide when they have been informed of all the facts and options, including cost.

Question 4

What ethical principles might be overwhelmed by market competition?

Answer 4

Autonomy, beneficence, and justice may be overwhelmed by the values of market competition resulting in maleficence for the patient and ultimately the dentist.

Question 5

What is corporate social responsibility?

Answer 5

CST is closely lined to business ethics. A socially responsible dental practice should be an ethical dental practice while an ethical dental practice should be a socially responsible one.

Question 6

Components of business ethics

Answer 6

Individuals (dental professionals)
Businesses/organisations (dental practices, bodies corporate)
Society (DH, GDC, government, patient bodies)

Question 7

GDC standard on business ethics

Answer 7

Patient interests must be out before financial gain and business need