[A PhD completed. Is the customer King? Ethical and psychological considerations regarding tooth removal].

Abstract

Typically, tooth extractions are carried out on the basis of clinical necessity. In some cases, however, non-dental reasons, such as aesthetic ones, financial problems or psychological factors, play a role. This raises complex ethical and legal questions. For this PhD study, the experiences and perspectives of both patients and practitioners were examined, in addition to the reasons for and frequency of such requests for extraction. It also sheds light on ethical guidelines, systematically analyses reasons for extractions, and compares the approaches of dentists to those of oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the Netherlands. Furthermore, the role of psychological factors in orthognathic surgery and their influence on patient satisfaction were examined. The results showed that extraction requests without dental necessity are rare, but require a clear ethical and professional approach. The research presented in this thesis also provides a valuable basis for the careful consideration of such irreversible treatments.