The ADA "Principles of Ethics and Code of Professionl Conduct" should be adopted by the Board of Dentistry for the following resaons:.

1. It is the "gold standard" of ethical conduct in dentistry

2. It has been adopted, by reference, in 14 other states.

3.It is acceopted by the Academy of General Dentistry, the second largest dental organization in the US, as it's Code of Ethics. 

4. The ADA recognized specialty organizations use it, with the exception of AAOMS and AAO.

5. the Va Board of Dentistry asks dentists to practice within th estandards of ethics for dentists and dental hygienists, yet provides no guideance or reference to follow.

6. The VA Board of Dentistry endorses the ADA CDT Codes

7. The VA Board of Dentistry endorses the ADA Guideleines on sedation.

8. The VA Board of dentistry endorses the ADA recognized dental specialties.

Not having a Code of Ethics as part of the Board's guidelines and yet saying the Board will enforce sanctions on behavior that is not within the standards of ethics  is extremely misguided and confusing.  This does not serve the public but rather confuses those dentists the board should be trying to help provide better and more ethical treatment of their patients. the Board could create it's own Code but that would take time and resourses teh board simpley does not have. The ADA's Code is nearly 150 years old and is time tested. It is reviewed and refined by a Council of 17 dedicated dentists, a staff of 3 or more and the ADA legal department. Any changes must be approved by the ADA House of Delegates which represents obver 65% of all dentists in the US. This is the gold standard for ethics in dentistry.

The ADA, the VDA, and the VA Board of Dentistry really are after the same thing, the best possible care of our patients, provided in a competent and ethical manner. We are on the same team, and adopting this Code of Ethics will help dentists in Virginia provde better and more ethical care to the citizens of Virginia.