Six common misconceptions about the standard of care in dentistry.

As a legal concept, standard of care refers to the set of practices that are accepted as appropriate based on the body of common case law decisions. This is contrasted with a concept of ethical standard of care, which is defined as the conscientious application of up-to-date knowledge, competent skill, and reasoned judgment in the best interest of the patient, honoring the autonomy of the patient. The article probes six areas where the understanding of standard of care is ambiguous.