aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	No subject
What age group	Year or Grade 11
What topic	Dental ethics
Quantity	1
Any other preferences

Engaging Lesson Starter on Dental Ethics

Lesson Title: "Navigating the Ethical Landscape of Dentistry"

Objective:

To introduce students to the fundamental principles of dental ethics and encourage critical thinking about ethical decision-making in the dental profession.

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Opening Activity: The Dental Dilemma

Time Required: 15 minutes

Materials Needed:

• A set of fictional dental case scenarios (printed copies or projected)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Sticky notes

Step 1: Scenario Presentation (5 minutes)

1. Introduce the Scenario: Begin by opening the lesson with a provocative scenario in the dental field. For example:

   Scenario: "A dentist discovers during a routine check-up that a long-time patient has been lying about their smoking habits, which has significantly increased the risk of oral cancer. The patient insists on keeping this information private, citing personal reasons. The dentist struggles with the ethical implications of patient confidentiality versus the duty to protect the patient’s health."

2. Engage Students: Ask the students to take a moment to think about what they would do in this situation. Would they respect the patient's wishes or prioritize disclosing the information for the health benefits?

Step 2: Group Discussion (5 minutes)

1. Divide into Small Groups: Organize students into small groups of 3-4. Give them a few minutes to discuss the scenario among themselves and decide on a course of action.

2. Encourage Diverse Perspectives: Prompt them to consider different ethical principles such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice.

Step 3: Share and Reflect (5 minutes)

1. Group Sharing: Invite each group to share their thoughts and conclusions. Write some of their key points on the whiteboard.

2. Interactive Reflection: After the sharing, hand out sticky notes and ask each student to write down one question they still have about dental ethics based on the discussion. Collect the sticky notes and use them to guide the rest of the lesson.

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Conclusion

This engaging lesson starter not only captures students' interest but also sets the stage for a deeper exploration of dental ethics. By presenting a real-world dilemma, students can begin to appreciate the complexities of ethical decision-making in dentistry, making the subject more relevant and intriguing.