Dental Sound Bites Sticky Situations: Ethics Edition
After‑hours calls, patient autonomy, nervous patients… how do you handle the ethical curveballs that show up in everyday practice? We've got advice to help you confidently navigate some sticky situations.
Featured Guest: Dr. Kelly Roth
Special Guests: Dr. Craig McKenzie, Dr. Maryann Lehmann, and Dr. Lance Attiq
For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast
Show Notes
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In this episode, we are talking about sticky situations. From after‑hours calls to patient autonomy, and nervous patients… how do you handle the ethical curveballs that show up in everyday practice? We've got advice to help you confidently navigate the tough issues.
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Our guest for this episode is Dr. Kelly Roth, a general dentist in Canton, OH. She is the speaker of the House of Delegates of the Ohio Dental Association. She also previously served as the ODA's vice speaker of the House of Delegates and is the past chair of the ADA Council on Ethics, Bylaws and Judicial Affairs, past chair of the ODA Credentials, Rules and Order Committee, past chair of the ODA Ethics Subcommittee, past member of the ODA Council on Membership Services, and past president of the Stark County Dental Society. She is a member of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, Academy of General Dentistry, National Association of Parliamentarians, American Institute of Parliamentarians, and International College of Dentists.
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Dr. Roth breaks down the ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct, explaining what it is, why it matters, and the critical role it plays in modern dentistry.
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In this episode, dentists openly share their stickiest real-world scenarios. First up, we're joined by Dr. Craig McKenzie, an assistant professor of dental anesthesiology and the director of the Center for Patients with Special Needs at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. He is a past national president of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) and was a founding member of the Coalition for Modernizing Dental Licensure. He currently serves as a member of the ADA Council on Membership, CODA site visitor for dental anesthesiology, as well as the Pennsylvania Dental Association's (PDA) Membership Committee and New Dentist Committee. He was recognized for his contributions with the ADA's 10 Under 10 award in 2025.
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Dr. McKenzie shares his real-world case involving an adult patient with special healthcare needs who understood the risks and benefits of a specific procedure but was too anxious to consent, highlighting how he navigated consent, patient autonomy, anxiety management, and family involvement.
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Our next guest is Dr. Maryann Lehmann, who has been in private practice for over 35 years in Darien, CT. She has been a dental researcher as part of the PBRN PEARL Network, and an inventor holding numerous patents in dental technology. Her philanthropic efforts include being a volunteer adjunct professor of General Dentistry at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, making service trips with students, and working at the CT Mission of Mercy. Dr. Lehmann feels her greatest intention in being a dentist is to improve the quality of dental care for the greater good.
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Dr. Lehmann shares how the overwhelm of all-hour messaging, and non-urgent demands have blurred patient boundaries after hours and raises questions about charging for emergency call-backs. The conversation turns to defining dental emergencies, boundaries, delegating in these situations, and how to protect dentists' mental health while still fulfilling ethical obligations.
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Dr. Roth shares a story of an incident that helped her define boundaries for herself. After prescribing medications to someone she believed to be a patient of her practice, she reflected on the lessons learned and the importance of establishing safeguards for emergency care.
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Our last sticky situation comes from Dr. Lance Attiq, a general dentist practicing at a Federally Qualified Health Center in Arizona. With involvement in dentistry since a young age, his experience includes roles as a dental assistant, free clinic manager, clinical dentistry IT coordinator, and active participant in organized dentistry. In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Attiq serves as Adjunct Faculty at the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, where he educates students and colleagues on leveraging technology to improve patient care.
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Dr. Attiq recounts treating an extremely nervous patient who was vomiting before and after an extraction, despite stable vitals and repeated confirmation to proceed. This prompted a thoughtful discussion on managing severe dental anxiety, practicing the principle of doing no harm, and knowing when to pause treatment.
Resources
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Learn more about the Council on Ethics Bylaws and Judicial Affairs (CEBJA).
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You can read the Ethical Moment section in current and back issues of the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA).
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Listen to the ADA's CEBJA podcast, Dental Dilemmas.
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Dr. McKenzie was recognized for his contributions with the ADA's 10 Under 10 award in 2025.