Standards of Professional Conduct

Vocabulary flashcards based on the SOD Standards of Professional Conduct lecture notes.

What is "Trust" within the dental profession?

Trust in the dental profession is a unique relationship built through the experience, education, and service of dental and dental hygiene professionals. This trust necessitates that dentists and dental hygienists consistently prioritize the patient's needs and well-being above their own personal interests.

What is the ethical principle of Nonmaleficence in dentistry?

Nonmaleficence is a foundational ethical principle in dentistry, commonly understood as 'Do No Harm.' It mandates that students and professionals alike must first and foremost strive to prevent harm to their patients and ensure all actions consider the patient's safety and well-being.

What constitutes "Patient Abandonment" in the context of dental care?

Patient abandonment occurs when a dental professional discontinues patient care without a valid reason, or without providing the patient sufficient notice and a reasonable opportunity to find another qualified healthcare provider to continue their treatment.

What do the ethical principles of Veracity and Fidelity require of dental students?

The ethical principles of Veracity (truthfulness) and Fidelity (faithfulness) require dental students to consistently uphold high standards of honesty, integrity, and trustworthiness in all their academic pursuits and professional interactions, reflecting accuracy and loyalty in their conduct.

What are some examples of "Academic Dishonesty" in a dental school setting?

Academic dishonesty encompasses various behaviors, including but not limited to, cheating on exams or assignments, plagiarizing others' work, and sabotaging the work of peers. These actions are unacceptable in didactic learning, preclinical simulations, and clinical evaluations, as well as in all forms of communications and assignments within the dental school.

How is "Patient Confidentiality" maintained for protected health information?

Maintaining patient confidentiality involves rigorously protecting the privacy of all patient protected health information (PHI) in strict adherence to relevant laws and institutional policies such as HIPAA. This specifically prohibits the disclosure of any patient identifiers or photographs without proper authorization and mandates the use of secure, encrypted UMKC email for all patient-related communications to ensure data security.

What does the ethical principle of "Responsibility and Sense of Duty" entail for dental students?

This ethical principle requires dental students to consistently recognize and fulfill the comprehensive duties and obligations inherent to the professions of dentistry and dental hygiene. It emphasizes meeting the reasonable expectations the public places on these healthcare providers, ensuring diligent and committed service.

What aspects are included in maintaining "Professional Conduct" as a dental student?

Professional conduct for a dental student involves consistently engaging in personal and professional behaviors, including appropriate dress, appearance, and respectful conversation. These actions should always reflect positively on the UMKC School of Dentistry and uphold the esteemed reputation of the dental profession as a whole.

What does the ethical principle of "Justice and Respect for the Rights of Others" require of dental students?

This ethical principle mandates that dental students demonstrate fairness (justice) and profound respect for the inherent rights, privileges, and personal property of all individuals. This includes fellow students, faculty, staff within the School of Dentistry and the wider University community, and all members of the dental professions and the general public they serve.

Why is "Patient Welfare" considered paramount, and what does this obligation involve?

Patient welfare is paramount in dentistry, meaning the primary obligation is to prioritize the provision of competent, ethical, and timely dental care in all clinical situations. This also includes the critical responsibility of identifying and reporting any suspicious perioral (around the mouth) or other signs of abuse/neglect observed in patients, as well as reporting any faulty or substandard treatment provided by others to faculty for appropriate action.

What are the key aspects of "Social Media Responsibility" for dental students?

Social media responsibility for dental students entails using appropriate judgment, maintaining respectful and professional conduct online, and always being truthful. It requires carefully weighing the risks associated with self-disclosure, respecting copyright laws, avoiding plagiarism, clearly stating when expressing personal views (not those of the institution), and strictly refraining from any direct communication with patients via social media platforms.

What is the "obligation for Reporting Ethical Violations" by a student?

The obligation for reporting ethical violations requires any individual who has reasonable cause to believe a student has acted unethically to first, if appropriate, ask the violator to cease the behavior. If the behavior continues or is serious, they have a clear duty to report the matter to a supervisor or directly to