--- title: "The ADA Code of Ethics, explained: five principles and rules" description: "The ADA Code of Ethics has five principles, a conduct code and advisory opinions. See how the parts fit, who it binds, and how it differs from the law." url: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/blog/ada-code-of-ethics-explained publisher: Copeland Consulting Services email: drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com contact: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact --- # The ADA Code of Ethics, explained: five principles and rules The ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct has three parts: five principles, a binding Code of Professional Conduct, and advisory opinions. The five principles are patient autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice and veracity. The ADA says ethical duties can go beyond legal ones. Organized dentistryPublished October 26, 20264 min read The ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct is the American Dental Association’s written set of duties for dentists. People call it the [Code of Ethics](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/code-of-ethics). This post shows how the Code is built, who it binds, and what each of its five sections covers. It quotes the ADA’s own pages and its 2026 PDF. It is general education, not legal advice. ## What is the ADA Code of Ethics? The Code is a written statement of what the dental profession owes to society. The ADA describes it as “in effect, a written expression of the obligations arising from the implied contract between the dental profession and society.” The ADA says the Code is the result of an ongoing dialogue between the profession and society and is subject to continuous review. The ADA PDF says members of the ADA voluntarily agree to abide by the Code as a condition of membership. The [American Dental Association](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/american-dental-association) also notes that the Code cannot list every ethical duty. In a case the Code does not cover, the ADA says dentists should consider the ethical principles, the patient’s needs and interests, and any applicable laws. ## What are the three parts of the Code? The Code has three components. They work together, and each has a different job. Part What it is What the ADA says Principles of Ethics Aspirational goals of the profession They guide and give reasons for the rules and the opinions Code of Professional Conduct Specific conduct that is required or prohibited It is binding on ADA members; violations may lead to discipline Advisory Opinions Interpretations of the Code They apply the Code to specific fact situations; the ethics council adopts them The ADA PDF lists each advisory opinion under the principle that fits it. Its cover notes that the advisory opinions were revised to October 2025. ## What are the five principles? The five principles are patient autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice and veracity. The Code’s own section titles give each one a plain label. Section Principle Plain label in the Code 1 Patient autonomy Self-governance 2 Nonmaleficence Do no harm 3 Beneficence Do good 4 Justice Fairness 5 Veracity Truthfulness The 2026 ADA PDF states one duty for each principle: 1. Patient autonomy: the dentist has a duty to respect the patient’s rights to self-determination and confidentiality. 2. Nonmaleficence: the dentist has a duty to refrain from harming the patient. 3. Beneficence: the dentist has a duty to promote the patient’s welfare. 4. Justice: the dentist has a duty to treat people fairly. 5. Veracity: the dentist has a duty to communicate truthfully. The ADA says principles can overlap and can compete with each other. In some cases, one principle has to be weighed against another. One rule in the Code can rest on more than one principle. ## Who writes and changes the Code? The Code of Professional Conduct is a product of the ADA’s legislative system. The ADA says that every element of it comes from resolutions adopted by the [House of Delegates](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/house-of-delegates). Read [what the House of Delegates does](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/blog/ada-house-of-delegates) for how that body is chosen and when it meets. The ADA Council on Ethics, Bylaws and Judicial Affairs, called CEBJA, offers ethics resources. The ADA lists CEBJA among the ten councils that recommend policy. Its resources include a series of JADA articles on common ethical dilemmas and ethics-related CE courses. ## How is the Code different from the law? Ethics and law overlap, but a dentist can meet one and miss the other. The ADA says they are “closely related” but “not the same.” State dental practice acts and boards set the legal rules. The Code sets the ADA’s standard for conduct, and it binds ADA members. For this reason, a dentist who has a legal question should ask a dental attorney or the state board. A dentist who has an ethics question can start with the Code, the advisory opinions and the ADA’s ethics resources. ## What does the Code say about speaking and writing? Section 5 is the veracity section, and it includes a rule for people who teach or write. Rule 5.C says a dentist who presents educational or scientific information in an article, seminar or other program must disclose any monetary or other special interest the dentist has with a company whose products the presentation promotes or endorses. The Code says disclosure belongs in promotional material and in the presentation itself. This is one example of how a rule applies to a [dental speaker](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-speaker) or an author. The full PDF has many more rules in each section, including advertising and professional announcements. ## Where can a dentist read the Code? The ADA posts the Code on its site and as a 2026 PDF. A dentist who meets an ethics question can follow four steps. 1. Read the ADA page and the 2026 PDF. 2. Find the section that covers the topic. 3. Read the advisory opinions listed under that section. 4. For a legal question, ask an attorney or your state dental board. ## Next step For how the ADA, state societies and local societies fit around the Code, read the [organized dentistry guide](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/guides/organized-dentistry-guide). The [dental leadership guide](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/guides/dental-leadership) covers leadership in the profession. [Contact Dr. Copeland about consulting](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact?topic=consulting). ## Frequently asked questions ### What are the five principles in the ADA Code of Ethics? The ADA names five: patient autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice and veracity. Each one has a short plain label in the Code: self-governance, do no harm, do good, fairness and truthfulness. The Code groups its rules under the principle that fits them best. ### Is the ADA Code of Ethics the law? No. The ADA says ethics and the law are closely related but not the same, and that ethical duties may exceed legal duties. State dental boards and statutes set legal rules. Ask a dental attorney or your state board about legal duties. ### Who must follow the ADA Code of Professional Conduct? The ADA says the Code of Professional Conduct is binding on ADA members and that violations may result in disciplinary action. Check your own state rules for the legal duties that apply to you. ## Terms on this page - [American Dental Association](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/american-dental-association) - [Organized dentistry](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/organized-dentistry) - [House of Delegates](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/house-of-delegates) - [Dental leadership](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-leadership) - [Code of ethics](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/code-of-ethics) - [Dental speaker](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-speaker) - [ADA](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/ada) ## Sources 1. [ADA: Code of Ethics](https://www.ada.org/about/principles/code-of-ethics) 2. [ADA: Code of Ethics (binding force)](https://www.ada.org/about/principles/code-of-ethics) 3. [ADA: Code of Ethics (law and ethics)](https://www.ada.org/about/principles/code-of-ethics) 4. [ADA: Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct (2026 PDF)](https://www.ada.org/-/media/project/ada-organization/ada/ada-org/files/about/principles/2026_code_of_ethics_complete.pdf) 5. [ADA: Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct (advisory opinions)](https://www.ada.org/-/media/project/ada-organization/ada/ada-org/files/about/principles/2026_code_of_ethics_complete.pdf) Written by Copeland Consulting Services and checked against the sources above on October 26, 2026. Rules, data and guidance change, so check the linked page before you act on it. ## Keep reading - [Dental leadership: team skills, training programs and where to learn themDental leadership is the work of guiding a dental team, a practice or a part of the profession. Core skills include clear communication, delegation, feedback and hiring. Learn them through team routines, mentors, organized dentistry such as the ADA and state societies, and formal programs like the ADEA Leadership Institute.](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/guides/dental-leadership) - [Organized dentistry: how the ADA, state and local societies fit togetherOrganized dentistry is the system of dental societies at three levels: local component, state constituent and the national American Dental Association. The ADA calls this the tripartite structure. Most U.S. dentists join through their state society, and one membership covers all three levels. Costs for state and local dues vary by location.](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/guides/organized-dentistry-guide) - [What does the ADA House of Delegates do? Roles and rulesThe House of Delegates is the legislative and governing body of the American Dental Association. Delegates chosen by constituent societies, the federal dental services and the student association meet once a year. The House adopts the policies and the Code of Professional Conduct that bind ADA members.](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/blog/ada-house-of-delegates) - [Dental case acceptance: what the research, the ADA Code and vendors sayCase acceptance is the share of presented treatment plans that patients schedule or complete. Research on patient decisions points to cost, fear and communication. The ADA Code requires dentists to inform patients of proposed treatment and reasonable alternatives. A higher rate is not an ethical goal by itself, and vendor benchmarks use different formulas.](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/guides/dental-case-acceptance-guide) - [Wellness resources for dentists: where to startThe ADA lists a confidential Well-Being Index, a directory of state well-being programs, CE courses on resilience and a 988 crisis line. The Missouri Dental Board runs its own Well Being Program for licensees. Peer-reviewed reviews suggest that workplace relationships also matter for burnout prevention.](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/blog/wellness-resources-for-dentists) - [AI in the dental practice: what it does, what studies show and what to checkAI in dentistry mostly means software that reads images or handles office tasks. Studies of radiograph tools show promising accuracy but often rest on weak designs. Some image tools are regulated by the FDA as prescription devices. Any tool that touches patient data raises HIPAA questions you should settle before use.](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/guides/ai-in-the-dental-practice) ## Talk with Dr. Copeland [Contact Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact)[Email](mailto:drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com)