Can dentists in North Carolina conduct research on human subjects?

In North Carolina, dentists are indeed permitted to conduct research on human subjects, but they must comply with established ethical guidelines. This is crucial to ensure the protection and welfare of research participants. Ethical guidelines typically align with principles set forth by institutional review boards (IRBs), which are responsible for reviewing research proposals to ensure that they meet ethical standards and that informed consent is obtained from participants.

The requirement for adherence to ethical guidelines is designed to safeguard the rights and well-being of individuals involved in research, establishing protocols for obtaining informed consent, ensuring confidentiality, and minimizing harm. This approach fosters trust in the research process and helps maintain the integrity of the dental profession.

While prior research experience may be beneficial, it is not an absolute requirement for conducting research, as long as professionals follow the proper protocols and guidelines. Similarly, conducting research without any approvals would violate ethical norms and legal standards, which is why those options would not be acceptable.