Sir, I would like to comment on Dr Ilona Johnson's insightful response to my letter.1 I accept most of her points but I am concerned about part of Dr Johnson's conclusion. The suggestion was that dental students/professionals should manage their public image, '... in order to engender and maintain trust in our profession'. Presumably, the concern is that if people saw how they actually behaved they might not trust them. Notwithstanding GDC guidance, this seems open to a charge of hypocrisy and actively undermines trust.