Dentistry's social contract is at risk.

BACKGROUND

The implications of the social contract for medicine and those it serves has been debated by bioethicists, political scientists, and physicians. Far less attention, however, has been given to dentistry's social contract.

METHODS

The existing literature from medicine is used to explore the social contract and the role of dentistry in today's society, focusing on several areas of interest.

RESULTS

The authors' analysis discusses the history of the social contract and its implications for professionalism. The authors examine the failure of the dental profession to adequately address population needs and inequities in oral health, situating this in the context of an increasingly commodified, commercialized, cosmetically oriented, and proprietary culture in the profession. The authors highlight the important role of organized dentistry in facilitating change and renewing the social contract.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors conclude that reforms are necessary for dentistry to remain a profession.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The authors' findings may inform oral health policies and underscore the need for change among dental providers and organized dentistry to maintain dentistry's professional status.