Legal considerations in infectious diseases and dentistry.
Dentists, similar to other professionals subject to legal regulation, often have an overly simple view of the legal system. Communicable diseases present questions on the cutting edge of the law, and, as the previous discussion makes perhaps painfully clear, there is considerable uncertainty on many important legal points. Legal uncertainty is often a reflection of social or scientific uncertainty. Clear answers emerge less from the words of lawyers and judges than from the actions of professionals themselves, who ultimately set the standard of care. In any area of legal uncertainty, the dentist is best advised to adhere to the best scientific information available and to meet the ethical standards of the profession.
Burris
S
S
Temple Law School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D017757:Infectious Disease Transmission, Professional-to-Patient / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018868:Insurance, Disability; D011363:Professional Impairment / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States; D014489:United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration; D016635:Universal Precautions / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*