Hit the Ground Running! Counting Down to Ethical Fitness Training Kick-off!

On Monday, October 25, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) will, "Hit the Ground Running!" with a kick-off celebration for Ethical Fitness Training. Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter; Dr. Carl McManama, Chair of the Dean’s Council on Ethics and Professionalism (DCEP); and the members of the DCEP will host a luncheon celebration and explain what the DCEP has planned for each and every member of the GSDM community. This event will feature fun, food, gifts, raffle prizes, and a special appearance by a surprise guest!

Last week we began highlighting one of GSDM’s Core Values. Outlook This Week will continue to highlight a value each week leading up to the, "Hit the Ground Running!" event.

Our Code of Ethics articulates the behavior we expect of all members of our community–faculty, students, staff, researchers, and administration. The Code reflects our values and our day-to-day professional aspirations for carrying out our mission by caring for our patients, teaching, learning, conducting research, and interacting with our colleagues. Our core values and their associated behaviors emerged from a collaborative effort by all members of our community and they apply to us all.

This Code describes how we aspire to conduct ourselves—it is not a set of rules. Our Code of Student Conduct, which describes prohibited behavior and procedures for addressing prohibited behavior, is found in section two of Article V of the GSDM Bylaws. Similar documents related to staff and faculty are found in the Boston Medical Center Human Resources Manual and in the Boston University Faculty Handbook.

Our Code of Ethics was formed around our five core values.

Truth

We search for the truth and tell the truth at all times.

We adhere to our rules of conduct as written in our Code of Student Conduct, in our Faculty Handbook, and in the Human Resources Manual. We are open and honest to all about our adherence to these rules and address disciplinary matters with consistency, honesty, and openness.

As faculty,

• We are truthful in communications with patients about all aspects of dental care (diagnosis and treatment recommendations). We demonstrate to students how to communicate with patients in a truthful manner. 
• We demonstrate to students how to describe clearly advantages and disadvantages of treatment alternatives to patients so that together we can make the best possible decisions about their care. 
• We, in the pursuit of truth, assume a responsibility to maintain our own professional development and assure that our teaching materials are accurate, up to date and appropriately credited.
• We practice evidence-based decision-making in both patient care and in the classroom. We clearly demonstrate to students the importance of making decisions based on truth.
• We understand that we can’t know everything. When we don’t know the answer to a question posed by a student, we admit it and we help the student discover the answer. We welcome the opportunity to learn new things. We practice what we preach through lifelong learning. 
• We readily admit when things go wrong or mistakes are made and take responsibility to make things right as soon as possible. 
• We consistently act in good faith and work to build confidence in the credibility of GSDM faculty.

As students,

• In our role as health care providers, we are committed to the principle that our patients not only require excellent treatment but also complete and clear information.
• We are truthful with all of our patients regarding options for treatment, expected outcomes, risks and benefits, costs, time frame of treatment, and possible complications.
• We strive to master our discipline.
• We are truthful to faculty and honest in our performance on exams and the completion of homework and patient procedures.
• We are truthful in obtaining faculty signatures and keeping honest records.

As staff,

• We provide truthful and accurate information to patients, faculty, and students. 
• We accept our role in demonstrating for students how to give complete and accurate truth to patients, especially about sensitive subjects such as payments.
• If we do not know the answer to a question, we readily admit it and find someone who does know.
• We understand that truth telling among staff, students, patients, and faculty helps to establish trust, an integral aspect of professionalism.
• We foster an environment that makes us all approachable and accessible.

As researchers,

• We seek and communicate the truth in research endeavors, including the designing and performing of experiments, interpreting the results, reporting the data, and giving and receiving credit and criticism for the work.
• As researchers who teach, we serve as role models for evidence-based practices to those we instruct.
• We report our findings accurately, objectively, and without bias. We do not allow self interests or the interests of the University or corporate sponsors to compromise the integrity of our research.
• We recognize that conflicts of interest may arise in our work. We avoid conflicts of interest and disclose and manage the ones we cannot avoid.

As administrators,

• We are role models for the entire community in truthful communication and honest transactions. 
• We provide truthful and complete information about the policies and procedures at GSDM.
• We are transparent in our proceedings and truthful about the outcomes, but we do not sacrifice confidentiality or privacy.
• We provide applicants and incoming students with complete and accurate information for them to make informed decisions about joining us.
• We will not accept gifts or grants as individuals or as an institution if it means compromising our academic integrity and objectivity.
• In interviewing and hiring practices, we are truthful in providing accurate information for candidates to make informed decisions.