We take pleasure in giving to our readers the code of ethics of this new Society as being something new and original.
The members of the Tacoma Dental Society in the fulfillment of their duties to the profession, to the public and to each other, declare and accept as binding the following code of ethics as embracing such principles of honor, fairness and gentlemanly bearing as every gentleman of honor and self-respect should most willingly adopt.
SECTION 1. It is the duty of every dentist to maintain the honor, respectability and good name of the dental profession, and by a manly and dignified bearing, by studious habits and mental improvement, as well as by a conscientious earnestness in the employment of his skill for the welfare of mankind, to aim at securing a general recognition of the worthiness of the dental profession to rank among the honored and learned professions.
SEC. 2. He should so practice his profession that the community will esteem it above the art of a mere mechanican and above traffic wherein shrewdness and cunning are an essential part of the stock in trade.
SEC. 3. He should therefore regard it as unprofessional and beneath the dignity of his calling to offer the products of his skill in competition at fairs, or to make sale of his services as does the shop-keeper of his goods, or resort to public advertisement such as cards, hand-bills, posters, or signs calling attention to peculiar styles of business, lowness of price, special modes of operating, or to claim superiority over neighboring practitioners, to go from house to house soliciting or performing operations, or to do other similar acts; but nothing in the above shall be so construed as to prevent any member from inserting simply his or her name, occupation and place of business in the public prints, or giving notice in the same of his removal, absence from or return to business, or issuing appointment cards with his fee bill thereon.
SECTION 1. It is the duty of a dentist to treat the members of his profession—not excluding those who are his competitors—with the honor of a gentleman and the honesty of a true man; and when he has occasion to examine the operations of a neighboring practitioner, to do so without criticism.