This paper has reviewed an ethic for the profession of dental medicine, such an ethic being grounded in the classical characteristics of a profession. The Principles and Code of the ADA have been reviewed and critiqued. The following conclusions are drawn: The dental profession and the individual dentist have a duty to recognize the reciprocity of the relationship that exists with society, and the duty of covenantal fidelity. The dentist has a duty to conduct his or her professional life in accordance with the ethical principles rooted in the moral rules. These are the principles of beneficence: autonomy and justice, in both individual and societal contexts. The dentist has a duty to maintain his or her level of knowledge and skill current. The dentist has an obligation to participate in the professional community to help ensure just distribution of society's resources and to share the burden of professional self-regulation to the extent that such a privilege is granted by society. The current Principles and Code are helpful expressions of dentistry's professional obligations, but are deficient in: not speaking to reciprocity of relationship, the principle of self-determination, and not providing for societal participation in the covenant agreement.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)