Student Professionalism and Ethics Association in Dentistry (SPEA)

A second opinion comes with responsibility. 🦷⚖️
When a patient asks you directly about the quality of their care, honesty isn’t optional; it’s your ethical duty. But how you deliver that honesty matters just as much!
The best clinicians know how to advocate for their patients while maintaining professionalism and respect for their colleagues.
Where do you draw the line between honesty and professional courtesy?
Drop your answer below 👇
WhatWouldYouDo

SANTA BARBARA 🌴☀️
SPEA Annual Session 2026 is calling… and registration is FREE 👀

October 23–24
✔️ Networking
✔️ Fun lectures
✔️ Free food + merch
✔️ All dental students welcome

Grab your friends and register now 🔗 speadental.org

Situations like this can place clinicians in a difficult position-balancing honesty with professionalism and respect for colleagues.

How would you respond?

⚠️ NEW SPEA CHAPTER ALERT ⚠️

Please join us in welcoming the UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry to the SPEA family! 🎉 Their new chapter has officially launched, and we’re excited to introduce a sneak peek of their incredible board members.

We can’t wait to see the impact you’ll make on your campus and the conversations you’ll spark around professionalism and ethics in dentistry.

Welcome to the SPEA family - we’re thrilled to have you! 🏡✨

This has been a hot topic recently as dental influencer pages continue to grow! Let’s talk about the ethics of it all!!

Clinical photos are commonly used in dentistry for education, documentation, and communication. However, sharing patient images comes with ethical and professional responsibilities.

Before posting any clinical photos, it’s important to ensure that patient privacy and confidentiality are fully protected. Written consent, removal of identifiers, and following institutional policies are essential steps to maintain trust and professionalism.

As future dental professionals, we have to always remember that ethical practice extends beyond the clinic - including how we use social media.

Meet Danny Carney! Danny serves as one of SPEA’s Directors and is currently a first-year Endodontics resident at the University of Minnesota. He remains actively involved in SPEA through mentorship, leadership, and supporting the next generation of dental professionals 🦷

Meet Kjeld Nelson! A practicing dentist in Colorado, Kjeld serves as one of SPEA’s Directors and remains passionate about mentorship, outreach, and the SPEA community

Meet Nicholas Seago, our Immediate Past President! A DDS graduate of the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (Class of 2026), Nicholas remains actively involved in supporting SPEA’s leadership and continued growth.

Meet Kaylan Wait!! A DDS candidate at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (Class of 2029), Kaylan represents the Midwest as Regent 5, working with SPEA chapters throughout the region and helping foster collaboration between schools.