Let’s be honest — the word ethics can feel like one of those abstract concepts better suited to textbooks or news headlines. But in a dental practice? Ethics is as real and relevant as the next patient in your chair.
It shows up in the decisions we make every day, from the front desk to the operatory to the business office.
And here’s the truth: no matter how chaotic the world feels, ethics is personal. It’s your choice — and it will shape your practice more than any software or system ever could.
It’s the Small Choices That Matter
Ethical decisions aren’t always big, dramatic moments. More often, they’re quiet choices:
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Do you bill that extra “just in case” procedure that wasn’t actually done?
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Do you look the other way when your most trusted employee isn’t following protocol?
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Do you let a patient believe something that isn’t quite accurate because it’s easier than explaining?
Those moments matter. Integrity is built (or lost) in the small, seemingly insignificant choices.
I’ve been in practices where doctors assumed everything was fine — until it wasn’t. They trusted, but didn’t verify. They assumed their team knew what to do, ethically speaking. And when that assumption didn’t hold up, it cost more than money. It cost trust.
Ethics Is Your Leadership, In Action
As the practice owner, your ethical compass sets the direction for the entire team. If you cut corners, they’ll cut corners. If you dodge uncomfortable conversations, they’ll follow your lead.
But if you lead with transparency, if you show integrity even when no one’s watching — your team learns that ethics isn’t just a value on the wall. It’s a way of working, a way of living.
And yes, sometimes doing the right thing is inconvenient. But that’s when it matters most.
When Ethics Isn’t Just About Business
Let’s take it one step deeper. Ethics isn’t just about what’s legal or what’s “by the book.” It’s about how you sleep at night. It’s about being able to look a patient — or your team — in the eye and know that you’ve earned their trust.
Because here’s the thing: patients can tell. Your team can tell. And most of all, you can tell when something’s out of alignment.
It’s one of the reasons I’ve become so passionate about speaking and teaching on ethics. After decades of consulting, investigating, and walking alongside doctors who’ve been blindsided by unethical behavior, I’ve seen firsthand how high the cost can be — and how powerful ethical leadership truly is.
What Does an Ethical Practice Look Like?
It’s not perfect — but it’s honest.
It’s not flawless — but it’s accountable.
It’s not rigid — but it holds the line where it matters most.
An ethical practice encourages questions. It invites transparency. It corrects mistakes and stays teachable.
And best of all, it builds loyalty — from your team, your patients, and even from yourself.
Ethics Is the Long Game
Here’s what I want you to remember: ethics isn’t something you pull out in a crisis. It’s something you practice every single day, long before a problem ever arises.
Your reputation doesn’t come from the degrees on your wall. It comes from how you treat people, how you run your business, and how you handle the hard stuff.
So yes — the world may feel like it’s lost its ethical compass. But that doesn’t mean you have to. Your practice can be a place of clarity, kindness, and integrity.
It starts with one choice — and it’s yours to make.