Ethical Considerations of Using Video Streaming Services in Dentistry

Video streaming services have revolutionized the way dental professionals share information, educate patients, and collaborate with colleagues. However, the use of these services raises important ethical considerations that must be carefully addressed to ensure the protection of patient privacy, autonomy, and the integrity of the profession.

Ethical Considerations:

Patient Consent:

• Obtaining Informed Consent: Dental professionals must obtain informed consent from patients before recording and streaming any dental procedures or patient interactions.
• Ensuring Patient Understanding: Patients must be provided with clear and comprehensive information about the purpose and scope of the streaming, including who will have access to the videos and how they will be used.
• Addressing Concerns about Privacy and Confidentiality: Patients should be reassured that their privacy and confidentiality will be protected, and that their personal information will not be disclosed without their explicit consent.

Patient Privacy:

• Maintaining Patient Anonymity: Whenever possible, patients' identities should be anonymized in streamed videos to protect their privacy.
• Avoiding the Disclosure of Sensitive Patient Information: Dental professionals must take precautions to avoid disclosing sensitive patient information, such as medical history or treatment details, without the patient's consent.
• Compliance with Data Protection Regulations: Dental professionals must comply with all relevant data protection regulations and laws to ensure the secure handling and storage of patient data.

Informed Consent For Educational Purposes:

• Obtaining Consent for Using Streamed Videos for Educational Purposes: When streamed videos are used for educational purposes, such as teaching or training, patients must be informed and provide consent for this specific use.
• Ensuring Patient Awareness of the Potential Audience: Patients should be made aware of the potential audience for the streamed videos, including students, colleagues, or the general public.
• Addressing Concerns about the Use of Videos Beyond the Initial Purpose: Patients should be informed if the streamed videos may be used for purposes beyond the initial educational purpose, such as marketing or research.

Respect For Patient Autonomy:

• Ensuring Patient Autonomy in Decision-Making: Patients should be given the opportunity to make informed decisions about whether or not they want to participate in video streaming.
• Providing Patients with the Option to Decline Streaming: Patients should have the right to decline streaming without fear of negative consequences or discrimination.
• Respecting Patient Preferences Regarding the Use of Their Images: Dental professionals should respect patients' preferences regarding the use of their images, including the right to request that their images not be used in streamed videos.

Ethical Considerations For Dental Professionals:

• Maintaining Professional Boundaries and Avoiding Conflicts of Interest: Dental professionals must maintain professional boundaries and avoid conflicts of interest when using video streaming services.
• Ensuring the Accuracy and Quality of Streamed Content: Dental professionals are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and quality of the content they stream, including providing accurate information and avoiding misleading or deceptive claims.
• Avoiding the Promotion of Specific Products or Services: Dental professionals should not use video streaming services to promote specific products or services unless they have a legitimate educational or informational purpose.

Ethical Considerations For Streaming Platforms:

• Ensuring Compliance with Relevant Laws and Regulations: Streaming platforms must comply with all relevant laws and regulations governing the use of patient data and the protection of patient privacy.
• Implementing Robust Security Measures to Protect Patient Data: Streaming platforms must implement robust security measures to protect patient data from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure.
• Providing Clear Guidelines for Users Regarding Ethical Considerations: Streaming platforms should provide clear guidelines for users regarding ethical considerations related to the use of video streaming services in dentistry.

The use of video streaming services in dentistry offers numerous benefits, but it also raises important ethical considerations that must be carefully addressed. By balancing the benefits of streaming with ethical obligations, dental professionals and streaming platforms can ensure that patient privacy, autonomy, and the integrity of the profession are protected.

The field of dentistry should continue to engage in ongoing dialogue and ethical reflection to address emerging issues and ensure that the use of video streaming services aligns with the highest ethical standards.