What constitutes unauthorized use of a patient's image in dental marketing?

Using a patient's image without their consent constitutes unauthorized use in dental marketing because it violates the patient's right to privacy and control over personal information, including their likeness. In the healthcare field, consent is a foundational element, safeguarding patient autonomy and confidentiality. The absence of consent means that the patient did not agree to have their image utilized for promotional purposes, which can lead to mistrust, potential harm to the patient-dentist relationship, and legal repercussions for the practice.

In contrast, using a patient’s image with verbal consent aligns with ethical and legal standards, as it demonstrates respect for the patient's rights. Utilizing an image for educational purposes, provided there is consent, also adheres to appropriate guidelines, focusing on informing rather than marketing. Lastly, employing a generic image that does not depict any patient is clearly permissible because it does not involve any individual's likeness or personal information, thus avoiding any issues of consent entirely.