Part I: Ethical Questions: Theory and Principles – 1. An Overview of Ethics in Dentistry – 2. The Structure of Professions and the Responsibilities of Professionals – 3. Basic Ethical Theory – 4. Ethical Principles – 5. Format for Resolving Ethical Questions – Part II: General Principles in Dental Ethics – 6. Doing Good and Avoiding Harm – 7. Fidelity: Obligations of Trust and Confidentiality – 8. Autonomy and Informed Consent – 9. Dealing Honestly with Patients – 10. Justice in Dentistry – Part III: Case Studies of Special Problems – 11. Ethical Concerns in Schools of Dentistry – 12. Ethical Issues in Third-Party Financing – 13. Ethical Issues Involving HIV and Other Bloodborne Diseases – 14. Incompetent, Dishonest, and Impaired Professionals – Appendix 1: Codes of Medical Ethics – Appendix 2: Informed Consent

James T. Rule, DDS, MS is professor emeritus at the University of Maryland Dental School, where he was chair of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry from 1978 to 1998. His interest in ethics was stimulated by a sabbatical leave at the Kennedy Institute of Ethics at Georgetown University in 1989 and 1990, which culminated in the book Ethical Questions in Dentistry, coauthored with Robert M. Veatch. Dr Rule subsequently initiated a course in professional ethics for dental students and co-founded a graduate course in research ethics for the University of Maryland at Baltimore. He is now retired and lives in Deer Isle, Maine.