Students engage in small-group discussions with practicing dentists during the ALDA Ethics Seminar, applying ethical decision-making in real-world clinical scenarios.Third- and fourth-year dental students at UAB engaged in small-group discussions with practicing dentists during this year’s ALDA Ethics Seminar, exploring real-world scenarios and the role of ethical decision-making in clinical practice.
Held in partnership with the Alabama Dental Association (ALDA), the annual seminar is a required component of the D.M.D. curriculum and brings together private practitioners—many of them UAB alumni with leadership experience in organized dentistry—to facilitate case-based discussions on professionalism, patient care, and the complexities of modern dental practice. The program also included a featured speaker, Michael Graham, executive director of the American College of Dentists, who addressed students during a large-group session.
Working in small groups, students examined scenarios that reflect real challenges they will encounter in practice, including navigating patient expectations, evaluating the work of other providers, understanding professional responsibilities, and making appropriate referrals. The format encourages open dialogue and provides students with the opportunity to consider multiple perspectives and apply ethical principles in a practical, discussion-driven setting.
Ethics and professionalism are introduced early and reinforced throughout the four-year predoctoral curriculum, with ethical decision-making integrated into coursework, case-based learning, clinical experiences, and portfolio assessments. The ALDA Ethics Seminar serves as a key touchpoint within this broader framework, connecting students with practicing dentists and organized dentistry as they prepare to enter the profession.
Through these experiences, students are given the tools to navigate complex professional situations with sound judgment and a strong foundation in ethical decision-making.