Ethical Issues In Dental Hygiene
Code of Ethics
1. I have been in banking since 1999, which would lead you to believe that I would be writing a Code of Ethics paper on my current profession, however I am not. My chosen profession is Dental Hygiene, I have little knowledge of the profession except for my own personal experience with dental care and regular visits to the dentist. What drew me to this profession is first, it was not banking, and second my entire family has a background in some form of health service. Another aspect that drew me to the dental hygiene profession was my personal experience with my own hygienist, she seemed to really enjoy her profession. On my last visit, I was able to question her …show more content…
a bit about her profession, and she told me about how the job was extremely flexible, good money, and she was able to help people with their dental health. She also touched on how the dental field was expanding, linking dental health to a person’s general preventative healthcare. So, an expanding profession, with a good schedule, good money, and able to help people; dental hygiene really perked my interest. Most of all, I am trying to push myself out of my comfort zone; banking. I enjoy learning new things, helping people, and I always thought I would end up in the medical field in some form. It is obvious to me that this profession, like being in banking comes with a standard set of rules or code of ethics that people who chose this career path should abide by, in this paper I am going to explore the Code of Ethics for Dental Hygienists.
2.
In this section, I will explain five moral issues that are prevalent to the dental hygiene profession. The best way to define a moral issue is that it is a dilemma one is faced with where they must choose between right and wrong. A dental hygienist may be faced with a variety of moral issues. Common dilemmas include substandard care, patient overtreatment, confidentiality breaches, fraud, and even sexual harassment. Dentistry is usually performed solo or small group practices where it is the dentist that employs the dental hygienist. A dentist whom employs dental hygienists can place hygienists in difficult situations when inappropriate care or unethical practices are being observed, especially when the dentist-employer is involved. If the dentist is trying to cut corners in an effort for profit, a dental hygienist may be faced with the moral dilemma of substandard care or not offering the best care for the patient. Substandard care could include an unsafe patient environment, not using the best dental products or tools, improper dental exams. On the other hand, overtreatment of the patient, offering unnecessary treatments may take place in an effort to gain more profit. In breaches of confidentiality a patient’s medical history may be compromised if an employer/employee does not abide to patient confidentiality. In the instance where fraud is involved, it could be that the practice the dental hygienist works for is a part of a money laundering front, or there may even be …show more content…
some form of embezzlement from patients or even other partners. Sexual harassment is a moral dilemma, a dental hygienist may face if they are a victim or they witness victimization of another coworker or even patient. A moral dilemma can be intensified when a subordinate observes unethical action performed by an individual in a position of power. In all of these dilemmas a dental hygienist is questioned with what is the right thing to do? If the dental hygienist advocates the good of the patient in such situations, their employment may be in jeopardy, and this could cause moral distress. Conversely, if the dental hygienist remains silent, professionalism is compromised and no one speaks up for the interests of the patient. Additionally, if the dental hygienists takes part in such moral dilemmas, where they choose to stay silent, and they were to get caught, there could be added violations such as the loss of their license to treat patients. In the dilemma of fraud there may be legal repercussions and/or restitution. Dental hygienists are faced with ethical questions or dilemmas throughout their professional practice. These problems arise when the hygienists is caught between competing obligations and has to weigh two or more options to resolve the situation. Understanding how to make the right ethical decision and the steps to make the right decision will assist the hygienist with his or her moral dilemma.
3. As I mentioned before dentistry is usually performed solo or small practices where formal groups, such as an ethics committees or standard review boards, provide little, if any institutional insight. Dentistry would take part in a professional Code of Ethics where the professional codes are written, monitored, and enforced at a peer level as stated in the textbook (pg. 512). The Code of Ethics was written by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and it provides a general standard or code all dental hygienists should abide by, however the dentist-employer or practice may have additional standards in place for their individual practice. The dental hygienists code of ethics states “The purpose of a professional code of ethics is to achieve high levels of ethical consciousness, decision making, and practice by the members of the profession. Specific objectives of the Dental Hygiene Code of Ethics are:
• To increase our professional and ethical consciousness and sense of ethical responsibility.
• To lead us to recognize ethical issues and choices and to guide us in making more informed ethical decisions.
• To provide statement of the ethical behavior the public can expect from us.
The Dental Hygiene Code of Ethics is meant to influence us through our careers. It stimulates out continuing study of ethical issues and challenges us to explore our ethical responsibilities. The Code establishes concise standards of behavior to guide the public’s expectations of our profession and supports dental hygiene practice, laws and regulations. By holding ourselves accountable to meeting the standards in the stated Code, we enhance the public’s trust on which our professional privilege and status are founded.” I mentioned a variety of moral issues that dental hygienists could be faced with in their profession, I mentioned substandard care and overtreatment of patients. According to the Code, Non-maleficence: We accept our fundamental obligation to provide services in a matter that protects all clients and minimizes harm to them and others involved in their treatment. Another issue I mentioned was confidentiality, and in the Code they have a section devoted to the confidentiality of clients. The Code states: We respect the confidentiality of the client information and relationships as a demonstration of the value we place on individual autonomy. We acknowledge our obligation to justify any violation of confidence. With the issues of sexual harassment and fraud the Code did not provide specifics, however it included sections devoted to the work environment or their Standards of Professional Responsibility. The sections include: To ourselves as individuals, to ourselves as professionals, to family and friends, to clients, to colleagues, to employees, and employers, to the dental hygiene profession, to the community and society, and to scientific investigation. In these sections the Code states:
• Create a safe work environment.
• Promote ethical behavior and high standards of care by all dental hygienists.
• Recognize and uphold the laws and regulations governing our profession.
• Conduct professional activities and programs, and develop relationships in ways that are honest, responsible, and appropriately open and candid.
The above professional codes are just a few examples that are devoted to the Code’s Standards of Professional Responsibility. In the event, a dental hygienist is faced with an ethical dilemma the Code has a Responsibility section that states: Responsibility is central to our ethics. We recognize that there are guidelines for making ethical choices and accept responsibility for knowing and applying them. We accept the consequences of our actions or the failure to act and are willing to make ethical choices and publicly affirm them.
4. I think that the Code of Ethics for Dental Hygienists’ provide a practical level of ethics. As stated in chapter 18 of the textbook; the practical code of ethics represents behavior that is achieved a majority of the time through diligent effort (pg. 508). In the Code’s preamble it mentions: We endorse and incorporate the Code into our daily lives. I believe through the due diligence of the individual that the Code does not state anything that could be viewed as unattainable. As professional we should make a safe work environment, we should provide the best care for our clients, we should be confidential, and we should respect each other. The Code states: Ethics are the general standards of right and wrong that guide behavior within society. As generally accepted actions, they can be judged by determining the extent to which they promote good and minimize harm. Ethics compel us to engage in health promotion/disease prevention activities. This Code relies heavily on the individual and how they choose to handle their profession and if they chose to do so ethically. If the individual chooses to abide by the standards set forth by the code of ethics I would find it to be practical and easily attainable. Adhering to the Code, living by the Code will ensure the individuals high level of ethical consciousness. I have mentioned the word attainable a few time leading you to believe that this Code may be considered the currently attainable level of ethics, and this Code is socially acceptable, however following this specific code I would find to be praiseworthy because it does require effort by the individual. Providing a service to the public can be trying at times, and holding yourself to a higher standard of ethical behavior takes work and due diligence. The Code’s preamble states: As Dental hygienists, we are a community of professionals devoted to the prevention of disease and the promotion and improvement of public’s health. We are preventative oral health professionals who provide educational, clinical, and therapeutic services to the public, we strive to live meaningful, productive, satisfying lives that simultaneously serve us, our profession, our society, and the world. Our actions, behaviors, and attitudes are consistent with our commitment to public service. Another section that supports my thesis of the Code being a practical level of ethics are their Basic Beliefs: We recognize the importance of the following beliefs that guide our practice and provide context for our ethics:
• The services we provide contribute to the health and well-being of society.
• Our education and licensure qualify us to serve the public by preventing and treating oral disease and helping individuals achieve and maintain optimal health.
• Individuals have intrinsic worth, are responsible for their own health, and are entitled to make choices regarding their health.
• Dental hygiene care is an essential component of overall healthcare and we function interdependently with other health care providers.
• All people should have access to health care, including oral health care.
• We are individually responsible for our actions and the quality of care we provide.
The basic belief section of the Code mentions education and licensure only adding more support that it takes diligence of the individual to achieve such stature as achieving the proper education and licenses to prevent and treat oral health.
5.
In conclusion, I have learned that although I have provided examples from the Code of Ethics for Dental hygienists, and it is providing standards for a profession in the oral healthcare field, I have noticed many similarities between this code and the one I have come to know in my banking profession. Although, in most instances banking would be considered a corporate code; or codes that are handed down from management. Banking still maintains that you need to provide a safe work environment, provide the best service to clients, be respectful of others, all forms of harassment and fraud are prohibited, and it is just the difference in profession. To be honest, you could probably adhere to this same code in any profession by just changing some words. With that being said, I mentioned that this was more than likely a general code of ethics ensuring that individuals that choose the dental hygienist profession have standards that can be met by all. It is the responsibility of the dentist-employer to provide their dental hygienists a more specific guideline or ethical standard. A code of ethics you can build from if an employer chooses to. In either profession, you will be faced with many moral issues and need to follow the appropriate steps to come to the right ethical
decision.
Works Cited:
American Dental Hygienists’ Association. Bylaws Code of Ethics. Code of Ethics for Dental Hygienists (2014): 29-35. www.adha.org/resourcesdocs/7611_Bylaws_and_Code_of_Ethics.pdf
Manias, Nicolas., Monroe, Dave., Till, Jane E. Ethics Applied. Edition 7.0. Pearson
1. I have been in banking since 1999, which would lead you to believe that I would be writing a Code of Ethics paper on my current profession, however I am not. My chosen profession is Dental Hygiene, I have little knowledge of the profession except for my own personal experience with dental care and regular visits to the dentist. What drew me to this profession is first, it was not banking, and second my entire family has a background in some form of health service. Another aspect that drew me to the dental hygiene profession was my personal experience with my own hygienist, she seemed to really enjoy her profession. On my last visit, I was able to question her …show more content…
a bit about her profession, and she told me about how the job was extremely flexible, good money, and she was able to help people with their dental health. She also touched on how the dental field was expanding, linking dental health to a person’s general preventative healthcare. So, an expanding profession, with a good schedule, good money, and able to help people; dental hygiene really perked my interest. Most of all, I am trying to push myself out of my comfort zone; banking. I enjoy learning new things, helping people, and I always thought I would end up in the medical field in some form. It is obvious to me that this profession, like being in banking comes with a standard set of rules or code of ethics that people who chose this career path should abide by, in this paper I am going to explore the Code of Ethics for Dental Hygienists.
2.
In this section, I will explain five moral issues that are prevalent to the dental hygiene profession. The best way to define a moral issue is that it is a dilemma one is faced with where they must choose between right and wrong. A dental hygienist may be faced with a variety of moral issues. Common dilemmas include substandard care, patient overtreatment, confidentiality breaches, fraud, and even sexual harassment. Dentistry is usually performed solo or small group practices where it is the dentist that employs the dental hygienist. A dentist whom employs dental hygienists can place hygienists in difficult situations when inappropriate care or unethical practices are being observed, especially when the dentist-employer is involved. If the dentist is trying to cut corners in an effort for profit, a dental hygienist may be faced with the moral dilemma of substandard care or not offering the best care for the patient. Substandard care could include an unsafe patient environment, not using the best dental products or tools, improper dental exams. On the other hand, overtreatment of the patient, offering unnecessary treatments may take place in an effort to gain more profit. In breaches of confidentiality a patient’s medical history may be compromised if an employer/employee does not abide to patient confidentiality. In the instance where fraud is involved, it could be that the practice the dental hygienist works for is a part of a money laundering front, or there may even be …show more content…
some form of embezzlement from patients or even other partners. Sexual harassment is a moral dilemma, a dental hygienist may face if they are a victim or they witness victimization of another coworker or even patient. A moral dilemma can be intensified when a subordinate observes unethical action performed by an individual in a position of power. In all of these dilemmas a dental hygienist is questioned with what is the right thing to do? If the dental hygienist advocates the good of the patient in such situations, their employment may be in jeopardy, and this could cause moral distress. Conversely, if the dental hygienist remains silent, professionalism is compromised and no one speaks up for the interests of the patient. Additionally, if the dental hygienists takes part in such moral dilemmas, where they choose to stay silent, and they were to get caught, there could be added violations such as the loss of their license to treat patients. In the dilemma of fraud there may be legal repercussions and/or restitution. Dental hygienists are faced with ethical questions or dilemmas throughout their professional practice. These problems arise when the hygienists is caught between competing obligations and has to weigh two or more options to resolve the situation. Understanding how to make the right ethical decision and the steps to make the right decision will assist the hygienist with his or her moral dilemma.
3. As I mentioned before dentistry is usually performed solo or small practices where formal groups, such as an ethics committees or standard review boards, provide little, if any institutional insight. Dentistry would take part in a professional Code of Ethics where the professional codes are written, monitored, and enforced at a peer level as stated in the textbook (pg. 512). The Code of Ethics was written by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and it provides a general standard or code all dental hygienists should abide by, however the dentist-employer or practice may have additional standards in place for their individual practice. The dental hygienists code of ethics states “The purpose of a professional code of ethics is to achieve high levels of ethical consciousness, decision making, and practice by the members of the profession. Specific objectives of the Dental Hygiene Code of Ethics are:
• To increase our professional and ethical consciousness and sense of ethical responsibility.
• To lead us to recognize ethical issues and choices and to guide us in making more informed ethical decisions.
• To provide statement of the ethical behavior the public can expect from us.
The Dental Hygiene Code of Ethics is meant to influence us through our careers. It stimulates out continuing study of ethical issues and challenges us to explore our ethical responsibilities. The Code establishes concise standards of behavior to guide the public’s expectations of our profession and supports dental hygiene practice, laws and regulations. By holding ourselves accountable to meeting the standards in the stated Code, we enhance the public’s trust on which our professional privilege and status are founded.” I mentioned a variety of moral issues that dental hygienists could be faced with in their profession, I mentioned substandard care and overtreatment of patients. According to the Code, Non-maleficence: We accept our fundamental obligation to provide services in a matter that protects all clients and minimizes harm to them and others involved in their treatment. Another issue I mentioned was confidentiality, and in the Code they have a section devoted to the confidentiality of clients. The Code states: We respect the confidentiality of the client information and relationships as a demonstration of the value we place on individual autonomy. We acknowledge our obligation to justify any violation of confidence. With the issues of sexual harassment and fraud the Code did not provide specifics, however it included sections devoted to the work environment or their Standards of Professional Responsibility. The sections include: To ourselves as individuals, to ourselves as professionals, to family and friends, to clients, to colleagues, to employees, and employers, to the dental hygiene profession, to the community and society, and to scientific investigation. In these sections the Code states:
• Create a safe work environment.
• Promote ethical behavior and high standards of care by all dental hygienists.
• Recognize and uphold the laws and regulations governing our profession.
• Conduct professional activities and programs, and develop relationships in ways that are honest, responsible, and appropriately open and candid.
The above professional codes are just a few examples that are devoted to the Code’s Standards of Professional Responsibility. In the event, a dental hygienist is faced with an ethical dilemma the Code has a Responsibility section that states: Responsibility is central to our ethics. We recognize that there are guidelines for making ethical choices and accept responsibility for knowing and applying them. We accept the consequences of our actions or the failure to act and are willing to make ethical choices and publicly affirm them.
4. I think that the Code of Ethics for Dental Hygienists’ provide a practical level of ethics. As stated in chapter 18 of the textbook; the practical code of ethics represents behavior that is achieved a majority of the time through diligent effort (pg. 508). In the Code’s preamble it mentions: We endorse and incorporate the Code into our daily lives. I believe through the due diligence of the individual that the Code does not state anything that could be viewed as unattainable. As professional we should make a safe work environment, we should provide the best care for our clients, we should be confidential, and we should respect each other. The Code states: Ethics are the general standards of right and wrong that guide behavior within society. As generally accepted actions, they can be judged by determining the extent to which they promote good and minimize harm. Ethics compel us to engage in health promotion/disease prevention activities. This Code relies heavily on the individual and how they choose to handle their profession and if they chose to do so ethically. If the individual chooses to abide by the standards set forth by the code of ethics I would find it to be practical and easily attainable. Adhering to the Code, living by the Code will ensure the individuals high level of ethical consciousness. I have mentioned the word attainable a few time leading you to believe that this Code may be considered the currently attainable level of ethics, and this Code is socially acceptable, however following this specific code I would find to be praiseworthy because it does require effort by the individual. Providing a service to the public can be trying at times, and holding yourself to a higher standard of ethical behavior takes work and due diligence. The Code’s preamble states: As Dental hygienists, we are a community of professionals devoted to the prevention of disease and the promotion and improvement of public’s health. We are preventative oral health professionals who provide educational, clinical, and therapeutic services to the public, we strive to live meaningful, productive, satisfying lives that simultaneously serve us, our profession, our society, and the world. Our actions, behaviors, and attitudes are consistent with our commitment to public service. Another section that supports my thesis of the Code being a practical level of ethics are their Basic Beliefs: We recognize the importance of the following beliefs that guide our practice and provide context for our ethics:
• The services we provide contribute to the health and well-being of society.
• Our education and licensure qualify us to serve the public by preventing and treating oral disease and helping individuals achieve and maintain optimal health.
• Individuals have intrinsic worth, are responsible for their own health, and are entitled to make choices regarding their health.
• Dental hygiene care is an essential component of overall healthcare and we function interdependently with other health care providers.
• All people should have access to health care, including oral health care.
• We are individually responsible for our actions and the quality of care we provide.
The basic belief section of the Code mentions education and licensure only adding more support that it takes diligence of the individual to achieve such stature as achieving the proper education and licenses to prevent and treat oral health.
5.
In conclusion, I have learned that although I have provided examples from the Code of Ethics for Dental hygienists, and it is providing standards for a profession in the oral healthcare field, I have noticed many similarities between this code and the one I have come to know in my banking profession. Although, in most instances banking would be considered a corporate code; or codes that are handed down from management. Banking still maintains that you need to provide a safe work environment, provide the best service to clients, be respectful of others, all forms of harassment and fraud are prohibited, and it is just the difference in profession. To be honest, you could probably adhere to this same code in any profession by just changing some words. With that being said, I mentioned that this was more than likely a general code of ethics ensuring that individuals that choose the dental hygienist profession have standards that can be met by all. It is the responsibility of the dentist-employer to provide their dental hygienists a more specific guideline or ethical standard. A code of ethics you can build from if an employer chooses to. In either profession, you will be faced with many moral issues and need to follow the appropriate steps to come to the right ethical
decision.
Works Cited:
American Dental Hygienists’ Association. Bylaws Code of Ethics. Code of Ethics for Dental Hygienists (2014): 29-35. www.adha.org/resourcesdocs/7611_Bylaws_and_Code_of_Ethics.pdf
Manias, Nicolas., Monroe, Dave., Till, Jane E. Ethics Applied. Edition 7.0. Pearson