Treatment planning based on the option that will make the dentist the most money vs the best treatment option for the patient.

An ethical dilemma I may come across as a business owner could include a patient wanting treatment that is not indicated, compromising the ethics of the dentist to preserve the teeth and do no harm (non-maleficence) to the oral health and overall health of the patient. Also, as a business owner, if I were to have employees who were coding treatments that were not actually done, this could also be an ethical dilemma.

I can expect to face a lot of ethical dilemmas. The most obvious one would be treatment planning and providing care that is actually needed to patients. Allowing for patient autonomy would be a big ethical dilemma.

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Modification of a treatment plan according to what insurance will cover.

A dilemma I for-see early on in my career would be in upholding the pillar of maleficence. This is not to say I will try to directly do harm, but as a new graduate in the profession, I know my network of referrals will be smaller than someone that has been in practice for a very long time. It will take some time to build a network, but early on if I know my limitations, I might not have a specialist I can refer my patient to.

One ethical dilemma that may arise as a practice owner/leader, especially one with associates, is how to handle situations in which you believe another dentist in the practice is over-diagnosing or over-treating patients.

When a patient requires tx but cannot necessarily afford it.

Dishonest employees or colleagues, pt with unreasonable requests

Having to turn away a patient who cannot afford treatment even though you really want to help them

Working with management that encourages over-treatment

treatment options with patients

Ex: businesses that put programs in place to ensure that workers treat their customers fairly and honestly; stand by the quality of their work or avoid exploiting the patients will have less ethical dilemmas on a daily basis.

In a corporate dental office ethical principles may be difficult to uphold due to the corporate pushing production. This leads to performing procedures to meet a certain profit and would lead to an ethical dilemma.

I expect to come across a situation where a patient can't afford the most effective treatment plan for their needs, and having to give them something that is second best for the sake of affordability.
I also believe there will be mistakes made in the hiring and firing processes involving my employees, and I realize I may have to terminate them at a time when things may not be so great in the economy.

If my business is struggling and I have a patient that I could upsell, it would be tempting to upsell them even if the work is not necessary.

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Patient may want treatment elective treatment that is not appropriate for them.

Billing different codes that might pay higher.

Family and friends asking for discounts

The patient could want a certain treatment, but the treatment negatively impact the patient's oral health. In this case, the treatment should not be performed.
Also, performing preventative care is more beneficial for the patient, but could lead to less treatment needed for the patient in the future. Preventative care is important and should be performed.

We all want to provide our patients with the best possible care. However, in private practice it might be challenging to spend as much time with a patient as they need while also trying to see a certain number of patients in a day.

Pursuing a more aggressive treatment approach because its more lucrative even though the patient may not necessarily require need the most invasive treatment

Deciding whether to treat patients when they don't need to be treated.

Providing a service in a way that has the patient's best interest at heart, and not my own pocketbook.
Obligations to provide for the patient's well-being inside and outside of office hours.

Billing and coding challenges. Competitive landscape.

an easy one is that i made a mistake in a patient. mistakes happen. its what i choose to do afterwards that is the ethical dilemma

When a patient wants a composite to replace an amalgam, we must assess whether that is necessary if the amalgam is doing its job.

Whether to provide a necessary treatment for a patient who can't afford it.

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Managing patients who are unable to afford the ideal treatment option, as well as difficulty treating more frustrating/anxious patients.

Making sure procedures are coded and insurance claims filed correctly, and if a mistake is caught it is addressed and fixed.

One of the ethical dilemmas that dentist can face is treating vs not treating a patient that cannot afford care. Do we let the patient go? Or do we treat them regardless?

The amount of waste generated from single-use items in healthcare and the impact on the environment.

Overtreatment for profit.

Patients may try to achieve financial gain or manipulate the system (such as gaining access to opioids when they are not truly needed) if we are not careful and fail to remain vigilant.

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Taking x-rays because they're covered by insurance even if they patient does not need them. Or something of the sort.

How to manage staff and patient relationships, how to bill insurance and patients.

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There are multiple ethical dilemmas a practice owner/ leader will have to deal with. For example, when it comes to completing codes/ procedures there might be an easier route to collect more money but it is up to your ethics to code for the correct thing and not just collect unnecessary money.

How high to set the prices for the services provided while making it affordable to the patients.

Treating all employees and patients the same way; not showing favoritism, or charging less/paying more to some.

Having a patient not want the best treatment option for them and you allowing that patient to proceed with this example of patient autonomy.

Raising fees and risking out pricing some patients

Treating a patient who may be low income vs. treating a wealthy patient. Making sure to present all options to each patient regardless of what you believe their financial status is.

monetary handling issues regarding patient treatment costs.

Treating patients in an honorable manner and providing non-biased care

Patient's desires and what is good for the patient do not allign.