Lisbon Regional Forum discusses ethics in clinical practice – April 1
As part of the Bioethics General States project, an initiative of the National Ethics Council for the Life Sciences (CNECV), the São Paulo Regional Forum was held on April 1st, 2026. The meeting took place at the delegation of the Order of Dentists (OMD) in Lisbon, under the title "The National Ethics Council in Question". The main objective was to promote reflection and dialogue on the role and mission of the CNECV, collecting contributions and perceptions from various OMD representatives.
The session, organized by Councilor Miguel Ricou, included the participation of Councilor Maria de Lurdes Martins and Councilors Carlos Maurício Barbosa and Pedro Fevereiro.
The event began with a speech by the President of the Order of Dentists, Miguel Pavão, who praised the initiative, highlighting its importance in framing the ethical dilemmas that dentists face daily. Councilor Miguel Ricou contextualized the session's objectives, followed by an institutional presentation of the "General States of Bioethics" project, outlining the mission, competencies, composition, and main activities of the CNECV (National Council of Ethics in Dentistry).
The topics discussed highlighted the challenges of Artificial Intelligence in dentistry, emphasizing that the final decision and ethical responsibility should always belong to the professional. Inequalities in access to healthcare, the impact of misinformation, and increasing commercial pressure in the sector were addressed. The discussion also highlighted the need to revitalize ethical training in integrated master's programs and among young professionals, making the topic more attractive.
Among the proposals for future collaboration, the potential support of the CNECV in developing ethics courses for new members of the OMD (Portuguese Dental Association) was highlighted, as well as the use of the Order's communication channels to disseminate bioethical topics and the Council's activities.
