Dental duality

Abstract

Can dentistry be labeled as a profession or a commercial business? This is a significant and thought-provoking question that lingers on in the minds of many, often jeopardizing our profession's image among the public. The question, however, is ironically akin to being two sides of the same coin, but what assumes priority puts forward the concept of dental ethics. Hence, is dentistry a profession/business? The answer may be both, but the question lies as to, what is being given more weightage? Every dentist's chief motive should be to benefit the patient, with the financial rewards being only secondary. This is where our dental ethics comes into play. The label “profession” is cherished because it suggests a special social status. Hence, the question arises as to what exactly is meant when dentists claim to be professionals and more importantly whether they can justifiably lay claim to this label.