---
title: "What Is Code of ethics? Dental Practice Glossary"
description: "The Code of ethics is the American Dental Association's written set of principles and rules of conduct for dentists, covering patient care, honesty and..."
url: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/code-of-ethics
publisher: Copeland Consulting Services
email: drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com
contact: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact
---

Organized dentistry

# Code of ethics

The Code of ethics is the American Dental Association's written set of principles and rules of conduct for dentists, covering patient care, honesty and professional behavior.

The ADA publishes its Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct for dentists. The ADA describes the Principles of Ethics as the aspirational goals of the profession. The Code also holds rules of conduct on topics such as advertising, patient records and honest communication.

The [American Dental Association](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/american-dental-association) writes and updates the Code. The Code is a professional document. It is not the same thing as a state law.

Speakers, consultants and practice owners read the Code to learn what the ADA expects in areas such as advertising and honest communication. Check the current text on ada.org, because the ADA revises it from time to time.

[Next stepIndustry work with Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact?topic=industry)

## Related terms

-   [American Dental Association](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/american-dental-association)
-   [ADA](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/ada)
-   [Organized dentistry](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/organized-dentistry)
-   [Dental society membership](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-society-membership)

## Sources

1.  [American Dental Association: Code of Ethics](https://www.ada.org/about/principles/code-of-ethics)

## Talk with Dr. Copeland

[Contact Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact)[Email](mailto:drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com)