Question

In early 2020, North American Dental Group came under fire for overtreatment of patients. North American Dental Group is a chain of dental offices operating under different names in 13 states including New York, Michigan, Ohio, Florida, and Texas.

Johannah Lancaster took her 3-year-old son, Gregory, to Dental Express for his first checkup in Niles, Ohio. She was expecting a routine cleaning, but the dentist told her Gregory needed seven root canals. Lancaster questioned why the dentist didn't take X-rays, and he told her they weren't needed. She was reluctant, but she trusted the dentist and even after the seven root canals Gregory continued to have problems with his teeth. The crowns used were the smallest available, but they were still too big for his teeth. As a result, one of the crowns fell off and he suffered from an infection.
Nicholas Dello Russo, a dentist and instructor at Harvard University's dental school, reviewed Gregory's records and stated, "The 3-year-old boy was subjected to massive overtreatment. This is child abuse." The Ohio State Dental Board reviewed Gregory's case and suspended the dentist's license. Unfortunately, Gregory is not the only child who suffered from overtreatment. There have been many complaints against dentists that are a part of the North American Dental Group.
So why were dentists in North American Dental Group prone to overtreating patients? The group is backed by private-equity investors. The group told dentists to meet aggressive revenue targets or their office could be kicked out of the chain. Former staff members in North American Dental Group's offices recall "morning huddles" where staff met to discuss how to reach daily financial targets through recommended treatments. Dental assistant Ashley Hughes was witness to what she thinks was unethical dental practices. She says, "I have watched them drilling perfectly healthy teeth multiple times a day every day."
North American Dental Group has declined to comment on Gregory's case. They deny allegations of overtreatment, saying that the company's mission is "to deliver best-in-class patient care."
Generally, the situation occurring at North American Dental Group offices is an ethical issue related to _________
a. conflict of interest
b. fairness and honesty
c. organizational relationships
d. communication

Answer 1

The situation occurring at North American Dental Group offices is an ethical issue related to a. conflict of interest. The imposition of aggressive revenue targets by private-equity investors created a conflict between financial interests and patient care, leading to overtreatment practices and compromising the ethical standards within the organization.

Step-by-step explanation:

The ethical issue at North American Dental Group revolves around a conflict of interest. The group, backed by private-equity investors, imposed aggressive revenue targets on dentists, creating a financial incentive that potentially compromised patient care.

The pressure to meet these targets led to overtreatment practices, as evidenced by unnecessary procedures performed on patients, including young children like Gregory. The conflict between the financial interests of the private-equity investors and the ethical obligation of dentists to provide appropriate and necessary care created a situation where patients became victims of overzealous treatment for financial gain.

The evidence of "morning huddles" and discussions on how to achieve daily financial targets through recommended treatments indicates a systemic issue within the organizational structure of North American Dental Group.

The group's emphasis on meeting revenue goals created an environment where patient well-being took a backseat to financial considerations. This highlights the importance of organizational relationships and the impact they can have on ethical decision-making in healthcare settings. In this case, the organizational structure, influenced by financial interests, led to a breach of trust and ethical standards within the dental group.

The denial of allegations and the statement that the company's mission is to deliver "best-in-class patient care" further underscores the conflict between the stated mission and the observed practices. This discrepancy points to a breakdown in communication, as the company's actions contradict its professed commitment to patient welfare. In summary, the ethical issue at North American Dental Group is rooted in a conflict of interest that compromised the fairness, honesty, and integrity of patient care.

So correct option is a. conflict of interest.