Anonymous, as I posted above, I was initially shocked. After that, I was frightened that a doctor would violate patient confidentiality as was done here. Now I'm just plain angry.

As an aside: I personally believe that dishonesty hinders the growth of every industry. The dishonesty can be due to unethical behavior, greed, personal ambition, unconscionable sloppiness, or plain stupidity.

I don't believe that doctors are worthy of the pedestal status they are routinely given in societies. Doctors are just as fallible as all the rest of us. Societies consider doctors to be esteemed. I say that is a grave mistake.

As consumers of dental and medical services, I think that people must make themselves aware of the fact that the law recognizes that the confidential relationship that is part and parcel to seeking the services of a doctor is to be protected.

Any professional who does not hold the Code of Ethical Behavior dear, is a professional who's services I certainly will not be seeking. One could logically now ask, if a doctor is willing to violate patient confidentiality, what other ethics, procedures or methods would he be willing to abandon, thereby putting the patient at risk?

That's just my personal opinion.

SomedaySoon (Sharon)