Business Law, Public Responsibility, and Ethics Commons^™

Silent Signals: Human Trafficking And The Dental Professional’S Duty To Act, Pamela Zarkowski

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Human trafficking is a global public health and human rights crisis that includes forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation. Dental professionals are uniquely positioned to recognize signs of trafficking, as many victims encounter healthcare settings, including dental offices, during their exploitation. This article introduces the types and prevalence of trafficking, outlines legal and ethical responsibilities, and provides clinical red flags, case scenarios, and actionable strategies for screening and reporting. Myths that hinder detection are also addressed. By recognizing their ethical duty to protect vulnerable patients, dental professionals can become vital allies in the identification and support of trafficking survivors.

21st-Century Dental Public Health: Revisiting The Role Of Community Water Fluoridation, Larry Williams, Preetha Kanjirath

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Community water fluoridation (CWF) has been celebrated as a major public health achievement, significantly reducing dental caries and narrowing oral health disparities. While historically effective, today’s fluoride exposure landscape has shifted, with multiple sources contributing to cumulative intake. This article reviews the scientific foundation, mechanisms of action, public health benefits, and ethical considerations surrounding CWF, alongside real-world outcomes from policy reversals. It examines contemporary concerns, including potential neurodevelopmental risks and vulnerable populations, and calls for recalibrated policies that maintain caries prevention benefits while monitoring total fluoride exposure to ensure safety in modern contexts.

Digital Media, Truth Decay, And The Inversion Of Trust In Science, Nicholas Mosca

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Digital media enables the rapid dissemination of scientific oral health information from subject experts to the public. However, it also poses significant risks by facilitating the dissemination of misinformation and disinformation, thereby blurring the boundaries between truth and fallacy. This paper characterizes the decay of scientific truth in policymaking, characterized by increased public debate about scientific facts and a decline in confidence in science. It describes psychological mechanisms, such as confirmation bias and motivated reasoning, and social dynamics, including algorithm-driven content distribution and echo chambers, that accelerate the circulation of misleading science information. It suggests psychological interventions to counter misinformation, …

Ethical Dilemmas Surrounding Community Water Fluoridation, Roopwant Kaur, Herminio Perez, Mark Moss

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Since the 1950s, community water fluoridation (CWF) has stood as a cornerstone of dental public health. However, a growing amount of public scrutiny necessitates reflection on the ethical basis for coming to a firm position on the topic. Aside from CWF, fluoride in the form of ingestible supplements has recently been identified as a concern by the US Food and Drug Administration. Indeed, it is challenging to wade through the facts, opinions, misinformation, and policy shifts. This article examines the ethical dilemmas that surround CWF through the lens of the American Dental Association (ADA) Principles of Ethics and Code of …

J Am Coll Dent 2025 92 1

Journal of the American College of Dentists

The Journal of the American College of Dentists (JACD) publishes scholarly articles, editorials, essays, and reflections addressing the ethical, professional, and social dimensions of dentistry. The Journal serves as a forum for advancing ethics, professionalism, leadership, and excellence within the dental community. By fostering dialogue across disciplines and perspectives, JACD provides readers with insights that encourage ethical, professional practice, lifelong learning, and service to the public, reinforcing dentistry’s commitment to advancing oral healthcare and the common good.

The Global Clinical Trials Ecosystem: A Critical Evaluation And Future Outlook, Sydney-Ariel D. Muneses

Undergraduate Honors Theses

As global clinical trials expand, inconsistencies in regulatory and ethical frameworks are increasingly evident, raising concerns about economic sustainability and participant protections. Existing research attributes this surge to pharmaceutical companies seeking cost efficiencies in emerging markets but acknowledges the challenges posed by fragmented oversight across international jurisdictions. To examine these limitations, a modified Delphi approach was used to gather expert insights from key stakeholders in global clinical trials. Findings highlighted systemic inefficiencies and ethical gaps, emphasizing the need for regulatory harmonization to balance scientific rigor, economic feasibility, and equitable participant treatment. By identifying critical shortcomings and proposing strategies to align …

Hospital Organizations’ Obligation To Promote Spiritual Well-Being Among Nurses: Development Of A Normative Ethical Argument, Michael Jordan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents an innovative strategy to promote the support of nurses' spirituality within hospital organizations. By focusing on the spiritual well-being of nurses by hospital organizations, with a natural extension into nursing schools, the approach aims to enhance nurse’s ability to protect their own spirituality, provide comprehensive spiritual care to patients, and increase nurse moral resilience. By investing in nurses' spirituality and spiritual growth, hospitals can potentially increase job satisfaction among nursing staff, improve patient care outcomes, and create a more holistic healing environment for both nurses and patients. As the nursing shortage continues and the number of nurses …

2024 Aadej-Adea Gies Foundation Editorial Award- Second Place: The Human Role In Artificial Intelligence, Christopher J. Smiley

AADEJ - The Communicator

This article is featured as a recipient of a 2024 AADEJ-ADEA Gies Foundation Editorial Award. It addresses concerns about Artificial Intelligence (AI) in dentistry, particularly the warning from technology researchers regarding "profound risks to society and humanity" due to advanced AI systems. The author argues that the conversation should focus on AI's potential and, more critically, the essential role humans play in its successful adoption, rather than fears of machines taking over. A main risk identified is blind reliance on AI recommendations, which can lead to a loss of critical thinking, misdiagnosis, or inappropriate treatment decisions. Therefore, focused human oversight …

Ethics And Professionalism, Dana Chamberlain Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

This article examines professionalism in dental ethics, based on a working draft of the 2017 Dental Ethics Primer by Drs. Bruce Peltier and Larry Jenson. It highlights the complexities of ethical decision-making and the responsibilities of dental professionals, who must balance autonomy with a commitment to competence and ethical conduct. The article outlines five key components of professionalism, emphasizing the importance of continuous education, adherence to ethical standards, and the willingness to prioritize patient care over personal interests. True professionalism is portrayed as service-oriented and deeply rooted in trust and ethical responsibility.

Va Dent J January, February & March 2023

Virginia Dental Journal

In the January, February and March 2023 issue, the reader will find the following feature articles:

• An Interview with Dr. Richard Roadcap: Virginia Dental Journal Editor (2007 – 2023)
• Through the Looking Glass: The Fantastical World of Oral Pathology
• Treatment Access and Outcomes for Craniofacial Care: Patient and Parent Perspectives
• Cheiloscopy
• We’re Taking on the Fight tor Fairness and Transparency: We Need More Dentists to Join the Fight
• Serving the Petersburg Community: VDA Foundation Collaboration with Central Virginia Health Services

This issue includes regular columns with regional news impacting the Virginia membership including: editorial and perspectives columns, legal, association activities, …

New Dentists’ Most-Asked Legal Questions, Dan Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This feature addresses new dentists' most frequently asked legal questions, offering concise answers to guide them. Topics include licensing requirements, dental record maintenance, accommodations for hearing-impaired and non-English proficient patients, the enforceability of covenants not to compete, the necessity of written employment agreements, responding to bad dental work, reporting suspected abuse, prescribing drugs to friends and family, contract terms with dental plans, and handling suspected employee theft. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding legal aspects to navigate a dental career successfully.

Towards A Holistic Risk Model For Safeguarding The Pharmaceutical Supply Chain: Capturing The Human-Induced Risk To Drug Quality, Heather R. Campbell

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

Counterfeit, adulterated, and misbranded medicines in the pharmaceutical supply chain (PSC) are a critical problem. Regulators charged with safeguarding the supply chain are facing shrinking resources for inspections while concurrently facing increasing demands posed by new drug products being manufactured at more sites in the US and abroad. To mitigate risk, the University of Kentucky (UK) Central Pharmacy Drug Quality Study (DQS) tests injectable drugs dispensed within the UK hospital. Using FT-NIR spectrometry coupled with machine learning techniques the team identifies and flags potentially contaminated drugs for further testing and possible removal from the pharmacy. Teams like the DQS are …

Euthanasia Of The Coronavirus - Covid-19, Sheila P. Davis

Journal of Health Ethics

At the time of this editorial, COVID-19, aka the Novel Coronavirus, has wrecked havoc and left in its path of destruction, death, unemployment, the instability of nation’s economies, misery, uncertainty, despair, and a fear regarding what the new tomorrow will look like. And, perhaps more importantly, the question of who will be here tomorrow lingers. Now classified as a pandemic, this virus has resulted in over 1,381,014 cases worldwide with 78,269 deaths to date. Presently, Louisiana and Detroit are emerging as the next hot spots behind New York as the fastest rate of increase for COVID-19 cases in the world. …

Frankenstem? Technology Ethics In Silicon Valley: Student Poster Session Program, San Jose State University, Department Of English And Comparative Literature

Frankenstein @ 200: Student Posters

Program of student posters presented as part of “Deep Humanities,” One-Day Symposium: FrankenSTEM? Technology Ethics in Silicon Valley, organized by Dr. Revathi Krishnaswamy & Dr. Katherine D. Harris, Department of English and Comparative Literature, San Jose State University on May 1, 2018, 10-4pm, Room 225, King Library, San Jose State University.

Frankenstem? Technology Ethics In Silicon Valley (Flyer With Text, Version 1), San Jose State University, Department Of English And Comparative Literature

Promotional Materials

“Deep Humanities,” One-Day Symposium, Organized by Dr. Revathi Krishnaswamy & Dr. Katherine D. Harris, Department of English and Comparative Literature, San Jose State University.

May 1, 2018, 10-4pm, Room 225, King Library, San Jose State University

Frankenstem? Technology Ethics In Silicon Valley (Flyer With Text, Version 2), San Jose State University, Department Of English And Comparative Literature

Promotional Materials

“Deep Humanities,” One-Day Symposium, Organized by Dr. Revathi Krishnaswamy & Dr. Katherine D. Harris, Department of English and Comparative Literature, San Jose State University

May 1, 2018, 10-4pm, Room 225, King Library, San Jose State University

Frankenstem? Technology Ethics In Silicon Valley (Flyer With Image Only), San Jose State University, Department Of English And Comparative Literature

Promotional Materials

“Deep Humanities,” One-Day Symposium, Organized by Dr. Revathi Krishnaswamy & Dr. Katherine D. Harris, Department of English and Comparative Literature, San Jose State University

May 1, 2018, 10-4pm, Room 225, King Library, San Jose State University

An Ethical Evaluation Of The Modern Pharmaceutical Industry, Kaitlyn Drennan

Dialogue & Nexus

Lack of transparency, wrongdoings, and unlawful promotion characterize the healthcare industry; these are especially prevalent within the pharmaceutical industry. Consequently, an investigation into the evidence of the corruption and the ethical infringement is needed. In this paper, I will evaluate the pharmaceutical industry’s adherence to the three major branches of ethics. The ever-increasing prices of pharmaceutical products, especially medications used for the combating of anaphylaxis and cancer, coupled with the compensatory-based medication promotion and research points to a major crisis in the realm of social justice. These examples, among many other current issues, lead to difficulties in individuals receiving the …

The Unifying Power Of Education, Keagan Potts, Jenji Learn

Center for the Study of Ethics in Society Papers

• Without Expertise or Experience: Philosophizing When Your Students Know You Know Nothing
• Segregated Students — Segregated Society: The Primacy of Education in Ending Hate
• Combatting Emerging Resegregation: Teaching Those in Power to Empower

Corporate Social Responsibility In The Health Care Sector, Dina Siniora

Graduate Student Research Symposium

The challenge for the health care sector is to continually explore ways to ensure that the welfares of individual patients remain the utmost primacy and simultaneously promote health care equity via corporate socially responsible activities (CSR). There is an essential need to truly embrace CSR and ethical principles that would promote equal distribution of health care resources. Relevant CSR activities would be achieved by making the most significant health problems in a given society a priority of health care organizations. CSR in health care applied to hospitals and pharmaceutical companies should promote shared values and common ethical principles in new …

Integrating A Code Of Professional Conduct And Ethics: An Action Research Approach, Ciara Kissane

Theses

A new version of the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives (NMBI, 2014a) was published in 2014. A nurse’s fitness to practice, and the associated patient experience, is determined by the extent to which the nurse accords with the duties outlined in the Code. Professional misconduct among members of the nursing profession has been highlighted within recent reports and enquiries. The failure to act on unethical care is also a feature. The literature suggests that Codes are poorly understood and can be problematic to integrate in practice. This study sought to; explore the impact …

The Wooden Doctrine: Basketball, Moral Character, And The Successful Life, Janelle Dewitt

Center for the Study of Ethics in Society Papers

No abstract provided.

Crispr Humans: Ethics At The Edge Of Science, Insoo Hyun

Center for the Study of Ethics in Society Papers

No abstract provided.

The Germans And Their Nazi Past: To What Extent Have They Accepted Responsibility?, Martin Hille

Center for the Study of Ethics in Society Papers

No abstract provided.

Vulnerability, Preventability, And Responsibility: Exploring Some Normative Implications Of The Human Condition, Daniel E. Wueste

Center for the Study of Ethics in Society Papers

Presented March 17, 2015. Papers presented for the Center for the Study of Ethics in Society Western Michigan University.

Csr Activity Of Tobacco Companies In Indonesia: Is It A Genuine Social Responsibility?, Harsman Tandilittin, Christoph Luetge

Journal of Health Ethics

The adoption of corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs in the tobacco industry has sparked a contentious debate in the international community. Tobacco industry’s CSR activities are honored by the government and Indonesian community with CSR awards due to their positive contributions. To assess the CSR activities of the tobacco companies and whether they are genuine forms of social responsibility or business motivation, we have collected the CSR activities and compared them with the negative impact of the tobacco industry in Indonesia. The CSR activities are in no way related to the negative impacts of tobacco in Indonesia. Therefore, CSR programs …

Anorexia/Bulimia, Transcendence, And The Potential Impact Of Romanticized/Sexualized Death Imagery, Heather D. Schild

Center for the Study of Ethics in Society Papers

Presented November 10, 2014. Papers presented for the Center for the Study of Ethics in Society Western Michigan University

Journey Of A Peace Journalist, Robert Koehler

Center for the Study of Ethics in Society Papers

Presented October 15, 2012. 2012 Winnie Veenstra Peace Lecture.

Knowledge, Wisdom, And Service: The Meaning And Teaching Of Professionalism In Medicine, Matthew K. Wynia

Center for the Study of Ethics in Society Papers

Papers presented for the Center for the Study of Ethics in Society Western Michigan University. Presented September 29, 2011.

It’S My Body: The Biomedical Ethics Of Cell And Organ Harvest, Christina Perri

Common Reading Essay Contest Winners

First Place