Dental Ethics and Oral Health Justice with Dr. Carlos Smith

Dr. Carlos Smith, a general dentist and ethicist, is the Associate Dean of Ethics and Community Engagement and an Associate Professor in the Department of Dental Public Health and Policy at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry. His work focuses on professional identity formation, dental ethics, and oral health justice. In this episode, Dr. Smith discusses his unique path blending dentistry, theology, and bioethics. He begins by discussing the importance of seeing other Black health professionals in his community and observing the professional contentment of dentists while exploring career options. He also cites the crucial piece of advice of one mentor who encouraged him to see the paths of dental school and seminary as not an either/or, but a both/and. Dr. Smith encourages us to think about some of the basic principles in bioethics – beneficence and maleficence – with a broader lens. For example, he talks about the professional duty to understand the reality of racism of all forms in order to think about harms and benefits more systematically and wholistically. He also pushes the envelope on the long-standing medical ethical imperative to place patients’ interests above physicians’ interests by pointing out that the political interests of patients should also be placed above the political interests of health professionals in order to uphold that principle with integrity and trustworthiness. Dr. Carlos provides some clear-headed definitions of diversity and equity and engages with Kirk and Amelia on a must-listen discussion of the ethical dilemmas institutions are facing regarding the precise use of language in this political climate and the critical need to engage with communities and to advocate during these times.

Works cited in the podcast can be found here:

Teeth, by Mary Otto https://a.co/d/j68ePPQ

Smith, C. S., Kennedy, E., Quick, K., Carrico, C. K., & Saeed, S. (2021). Dental faculty well-being amid COVID-19 in fall 2020: A multi-site measure of burnout, loneliness, and resilience. Journal of Dental Education, 85(12), 1956-1965. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34780060/

Smith, C. S. (2023). Applying a systems oriented ethical decision making framework to mitigating social and structural determinants of health. Frontiers in Oral Health, 4, 1031574. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37521174/

Smith, C. S., & Simon, L. E. (2025). To do good and refrain from harm: Combating racism as an ethical and professional duty. The Journal of the American Dental Association, 156(2), 91-94. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39269381/

Smith, C. S. (Guest Editor). (2021). A Clarion Call to Leaders in Dentistry - A Professionalism Ethic for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Journal of the American College of Dentists, 88(2), 1-48. https://issuu.com/college1920/docs/ejacd_vol88-2_2021-07-22_f/s/12896517

Smith, C. S. (Guest Editor). (2021). The Beauty of Many Voices: Unlocking A Growth Mindset Towards Diversity and Inclusion. Journal of the American College of Dentists, 88(3), 1-48. https://issuu.com/college1920/docs/ejacd_vol88-3_10-21_f4/s/13713999