I was disturbed by Dr. James Antoon’s "Ethical Moment" column, "Am I Living Up to My Ethical Responsibilities as a Dentist?" in January JADA (
JADA 2006;137:103–4
), in which one of our members was chastised by another member for "not living up to [his] ethical responsibilities" when he declined to volunteer at an indigent care clinic. In this rather poignant letter, the member tries to justify his response by pointing out that he works four and one-half days per week, and discounts some fees to certain patients.
I do not want to be part of an organization that lays a "guilt trip" on such honest and hardworking members. It sounded as though this particular member respects his patients enough to keep current in our profession and to provide services at a reasonable and competitive fee. Isn’t this our primary ethical responsibility? It is for me.
It is appropriate for the American Dental Association to encourage all of us to be active in our communities. These activities may include providing free care outside of our offices. However, members such as this one should never be branded "unethical" because they prefer to give free, or discounted, care within their own offices.
Charity and donated services are also, for me, a very personal matter. I reserve the right as a free person to be able to decide how, and even whether, to engage in these activities.
