What does the term 'conflicts of interest' refer to in the context of dental ethics?

The term 'conflicts of interest' in the context of dental ethics refers to situations where a dental professional's judgment might be compromised due to personal interests that diverge from the best interests of their patients. This can occur when a dentist has financial interests in certain products or services that they recommend to patients, which could potentially lead to biased decision-making.

When a dentist prioritizes personal gain over patient welfare, it may result in compromised care and ethical dilemmas. This is a crucial concept within dental ethics because maintaining trust and integrity in the patient-dentist relationship is fundamental to providing quality care.

The other options do not accurately describe conflicts of interest. While biases that may impair professional judgment relate to the overarching concept of ethical decision-making, they do not encompass the specific notion of conflicts of interest. Different dental practice locations, patient dissatisfaction, and insurance issues are important factors in the delivery of care but do not inherently involve the ethical conflict between professional responsibility and personal interests.