Alot of people tell me that it's unethical for me to be with my girlfriend because we started out as dentist and patient. I met her when she was 16, and she is now 18. We have been together for 4 months. I don't see what's so bad about that. If you happen to fall in love with a patient, what are you supposed to do--throw away true love just because it's "unethical"?
She was never even a real patient of mine. My co-worker was always the one to work on her, I only took a look at her teeth once.
So, Basically, She is just a patient at the Western Dental I work at.
2006-10-02 19:57:19 · 19 answers · asked by *SEP* 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Singles & Dating
To one of the answers:
I didn't wait for her to turn 18. I never looked at her in a sexual way when she was 16. Yes, I thought she was pretty but that is something very hard not to notice, because she is pretty.
I never even thought about myself with her. It all came to be very randomly and all of the sudden. She is now an adult, and was an adult when we got together.
2006-10-02 20:04:52 · update #1
I am only 30.
2006-10-02 20:06:11 · update #2
I think you're fine. You don't have to worry about anything.
You're not really her dentist, anyway. She's just a patient at the place you work at. I never understood the whole ethics thing, anyway. I don't think it should be about what society thinks, it should be about what you think and how you feel.
Though I do think it's not the best idea to be involved with a real patient. Let me give you an example:
My mother plays the piano and is a great pianist. I play piano also. My mother did not give me piano lessons, she prefered to hire a piano teacher for me.
She said that it's not good for people in close friendships/relationships to be involved in business, etc.
She's right. It's too difficult to, for example, pay attention to your mother while you are trying to concentrate on your piano. You feel too relaxed with your mother and don't have enough boundries. The relationship between you and your mother and you and your piano teacher and very different and they just can't work out.
That was just an example but it is the same story when it comes to doctors, etc.
It's just weird. The doctor AND the patient both can not concentrate in this sort of situation which might interfere with the treatment.
This is exactly why they do not allow surgeons to operate on family members. It's just too stressful.
ETC ETC ETC.
THAT'S WHY.
Don't listen to the answers you got. She's not too young, and youre not too old. 18 is an adult. its not your fault you happened to fall in love with her and you cant control your feelings.
also, 12 years isnt even a big age difference...think about it this way: when she was born you were still a kid!
i've seen wayyy bigger age differences. i've seen women in their 20's with men in their 50's and even 60's!
there's nothing wrong with an age difference. an age difference is always better. most people complain that they do not like people their own age because they're too alike, and i agree. I either like older or younger women.
my parents are 9 years apart and very much in love.
my sister is 22 and her husband is 35, and they are very much in love.
so don't worry, just follow your heart and always let your co workers handle her teeth! lol!
2006-10-02 20:42:51 · answer #1 · answered by Dylan 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I see little problem in a dentist dating a patient; it's not like a psychologist or professor or someone else with a high degree of power or authority over the individual.
That being said, the bigger ethical question here really centers on this girls age, I have a sneaking suspicion she is way younger and way less experienced than you, in which case I'm not so certian. I have a 19 year old little sister and if she were dating a 30 year old that's known her since she was 16 I'd be on the warpath...
2006-10-02 20:25:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
So... How old are you? 40? Lets see.... Colledge, Then Dental/ Medical, and you have been WORKING/ WATCHING her for 4 years already.. Even if you were really ambitious you have to at least 32. What a Cradle Robber! You're Old enough to be her DAD! Are you afraid of women your own age or what? Patient issues are last thing you need to worry about. Get some help.
2006-10-02 20:05:13 · answer #3 · answered by RhinoBoy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
based on what u tell, i dont think there should be an issue.. the only reason why doctor-patient, teacher-student, employer-employee, and supervisor-subordinate relationship is considered unethical is because personal feelings sometimes get in the way, meaning how can u be objective in making a decision when u are personally involved with the subject.. just remember to behave decently when she is in the clinic... :)
2006-10-02 20:04:36 · answer #4 · answered by sen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are a dentist? So you have been through what, 6,8,10 years of school after high school? Why are you even interested in an 18 year old. What could you possibly have in common? Leave this baby alone and find a woman your own age.
2006-10-02 20:03:20 · answer #5 · answered by Vonnie Dee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with One_L.. You have been through school, and I'm sure they taught you an ethics class or two. You know darn well it's unethical, you just want us to tell you it's ok. Tell you what... go to the ADA and ask that same question.... see what they say.
2006-10-02 20:07:34 · answer #6 · answered by Raven Sky 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is unethical for you to be looking at a 16 year old and waiting for her to reach 18.
2006-10-02 20:00:43 · answer #7 · answered by Tyler&Noah's mommy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is said that it's unethical for medics to be involved with patients. Then wy do you have to tell everyone how you met. It's ur prob and no one else.
2006-10-02 20:03:05 · answer #8 · answered by Saphire 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are only a dentist so call her a customer not a patient then you are ethical
2006-10-02 20:21:12 · answer #9 · answered by frank m 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just make sure she won't be your patient and let another dentist look at her teeth
2006-10-02 20:00:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋