Ethics Dilemmas in Patient Care… A Multiple Case-Based Review
Presented by Dr. David S Hancock
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
8 PM - 9:30 PM EST
1.5 CEU
This presentation uses real-world scenarios to help dental professionals navigate complex moral and clinical situations. Participants will analyze cases to identify the fundamental ethical principles involved, such as patient autonomy, beneficence, and justice, and learn how these principles can come into conflict during clinical decision-making.
The workshop will address the roles and varying perspectives of the different stakeholders—including the patient, the dental team, and the practice—who are involved in these dilemmas. By the end of the session, attendees will be able to outline and apply core elements of ethics, professionalism, leadership, and excellence to promote integrity and quality patient care.
Presentation takeaways:
Case-based analysis: Participants will review multiple case studies involving ethical dilemmas encountered in dental practice.
Identify core principles: The presentation will focus on identifying and analyzing key ethical principles, such as:
Patient Autonomy: Respecting a patient's right to self-determination and confidentiality.
Beneficence: Promoting the patient's welfare and acting in their best interest.
Nonmaleficence: The obligation to "do no harm".
Justice: Ensuring fairness and treating all patients without prejudice.
Evaluate conflicts: The presentation will explore situations where multiple ethical principles apply, and participants will learn how to distinguish and prioritize principles that come into conflict.
Assess stakeholder roles: The session will analyze the different roles and perspectives of all stakeholders involved in ethical dilemmas, including the patient, the care team, and the practice.
Apply professional standards: Attendees will learn how to apply the core elements of ethics, professionalism, leadership, and excellence to cultivate a practice environment that promotes integrity and quality in patient care.
Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:
- Identify and analyze the ethical principles involved in individual case reviews.
- Evaluate situations in which multiple ethical principles may apply and distinguish how these principles can come into conflict in clinical decision-making involving patient-care.
- Recognize and assess the roles and perspectives of stakeholders involved in ethical dilemmas within dental practice.
- Outline and apply the core elements of ethics, professionalism, leadership, and excellence to promote integrity and quality in patient care.
About the speaker:
Dr. Hancock was born and raised in an academic family. He attended the University of Arizona for his undergraduate education.
Dr Hancock attended Northwestern University Dental School, completing his degree in 1976. He began private practice in Scottsdale, in July 1976. His private practice areas of interest were general and complex restorative dentistry, dental occlusion and TM disorders. Interest in failed TM treatments led to years of study in orofacial pain with Jeffery Okeson DMD at the UKY orofacial pain center. In January 2020, after 43 years of private practice, David joined the faculty at Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-AZ as an assistant professor.
Dr. Hancock holds membership in the American Academy of Orofacial Pain, the Academy of Operative Dentistry, the American Prosthodontic Society, the AES, the International Association of Dental Research /American Association of Dental Oral and Craniofacial Research and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. He is also a member of the ADA Standards Committee on Dental Products, Working Group 9, and chairs the subgroup 9.69 dealing with adhesives/cements for CADCAM generated restorations.
He serves on many committees within the many organizations in which he holds membership., He is currently president of the Academy of Dentistry International. Since 2018 he has served ADI and ADI USA as program chair for annual meetings, continuing education and president elect. He is past president of the American Equilibration Society, and is the American College of Dentists, Arizona Section chair. He also serves the Arizona Section of the American Association of Dental Oral and Craniofacial Research as secretary/treasurer.Dr. Hancock is honored to hold fellowship in the American College of Dentists, the Academy of Dentistry International, the International College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy.
To Register:
Tuition is $59. Click HERE to register.