Understanding the ADA Code of Ethics: A Guide for Dental Professionals
As dental pros, we have a responsibility to uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct and provide the best possible care to our patients. The American Dental Association (ADA) understands the significance of ethical practices in dentistry and has established a comprehensive Code of Ethics to guide dental professionals in their professional endeavors. This guide first ran in December 2023 — since then, the ADA's Council on Ethics, Bylaws and Judicial Affairs (CEBJA) has revised several Advisory Opinions and added new guidance. Here's what's changed, followed by a refresher on the five principles the Code is built on.
What's New Since 2023
The five core principles above haven't changed — but the ADA's Council on Ethics, Bylaws and Judicial Affairs (CEBJA) regularly reviews and revises the Advisory Opinions attached to each principle, and has added new guidance since this article was first published in December 2023. The current edition (advisory opinions revised through October 2025) includes several updates dental professionals should know about:
New guidance on care during public health emergencies
Under Beneficence, a newly added Advisory Opinion speaks to how practices should handle elective and non-urgent procedures when a public health emergency is underway. The takeaway for dentists: your commitment to the individual patient in the chair doesn't disappear during a crisis, but it now sits alongside a broader duty to the community — and part of the job is weighing those two obligations against each other when scheduling non-urgent care.
Updated expectations around workplace conduct
The Nonmaleficence section has been refreshed with a sharper focus on team dynamics inside the practice. Dentists are now explicitly cast as leaders of the broader oral healthcare team, which comes with an ethical stake in keeping the workplace respectful and free of disruptive behavior — not just avoiding harm to patients, but shaping a healthy environment for everyone on staff.
Clearer rules for social media and influencer marketing
The Veracity principle's advertising guidance has caught up with how dentists actually market themselves today. If you're promoting your practice on social media, or working with an influencer who is, the relationship needs to be transparent — followers should be able to tell when a post is sponsored — and any claims about results have to be backed by real evidence rather than marketing flourish.
New CEBJA white papers on emerging issues
Outside the formal Code, CEBJA has also been publishing standalone white papers that walk through the ethics of topics the Code itself doesn't spell out in detail - dental tourism, clinical autonomy, and community water fluoridation among them. Think of these as supplemental thinking rather than binding rules: they don't carry the same weight as the Code's Advisory Opinions, but they show where the ADA's ethical reasoning is headed on issues that have gained traction since 2023.
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A Refresher: The Five Key Principles
1. Respect for Autonomy
Respecting patient autonomy means recognizing their right to make informed decisions about their oral health. Dental professionals should provide patients with accurate information, explain all available treatment options, and involve them in the decision-making process. This principle emphasizes the importance of informed consent and the patient's right to refuse treatment.
2. Nonmaleficence
Nonmaleficence is the principle of "do no harm." Dental professionals must prioritize patient well-being and ensure that their actions do not cause unnecessary harm or jeopardize the patient's health. This involves providing competent and safe care, staying informed about the latest advancements in dentistry, and maintaining appropriate infection control protocols.
3. Beneficence
Beneficence refers to the duty to act in the best interest of the patient. Dental professionals should strive to optimize patient outcomes by providing effective treatments and promoting oral health education. They must also consider the patient's overall well-being and take into account factors such as their medical history, preferences, and financial limitations when formulating treatment plans.
4. Justice
Justice in dentistry means treating all patients fairly and equitably, without discrimination. Dental professionals should not engage in any form of bias or prejudice and should provide care to all individuals regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. This principle also encourages dentists to allocate resources fairly, ensuring that all patients have equal access to quality dental care.
5. Veracity
Veracity emphasizes the importance of truthfulness and honesty in all professional interactions. Dental professionals should provide accurate and transparent information to their patients, including the nature of their dental conditions, available treatment options, and potential risks and benefits. It also extends to professional relationships, requiring dentists to maintain integrity, honesty, and confidentiality.
Conclusion:
The ADA Code of Ethics serves as a guide for dental pros, outlining the fundamental principles that should govern their professional conduct. By embracing these ethical principles, dental professionals can establish trust, foster strong patient relationships, and ensure the delivery of high-quality care. Respecting patient autonomy, prioritizing patient well-being, promoting fairness, and maintaining honesty are crucial elements in upholding the values and ethical standards of the dental profession. The Code is a living document, reviewed and revised periodically by CEBJA and the ADA House of Delegates, so dental professionals should check ada.org periodically for the current edition. In resolving any ethical problem not explicitly covered by the ADA Code, dentists should consider the ethical principles, the patient's needs and interests, and any applicable laws.
SafeLink Consulting is a trusted compliance advisor supporting dental practices and other businesses nationwide with OSHA, HIPAA, FDA, environmental, and infection control guidance for more than 30 years. We provide integrated compliance support to assess risks, develop programs, train teams, deliver ongoing advisory support, and verify progress.
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Talk to an OSHA advisor ↗ Mary A. Bartlett, Senior Vice President & Founder of SafeLink Consulting, has spent more than three decades at the forefront of dental industry compliance and safety. Since 1991, she has been a trusted presenter and on-site instructor for dental and general industry professionals across the United States, Canada, and Asia — delivering expertise on employee health and safety, patient safety, privacy, and quality assurance. She has authored content for numerous national publications, and her clients consistently benefit from her hands-on experience navigating OSHA, FDA, and State Board inspections.
