Learn: ADA Code of Ethics Principles

Autonomy

1. Duty to respect the pts rights to self determination and confidentiality

Autonomy

Pt involvement - a. Informed consent: Inform patients of treatment options and alternatives so they can be involved in treatment decisions

Autonomy

Pt records - a. Keep pt records safe and provide them to the patient upon request

Autonomy

Duty to respect the pts rights to self determination and confidentiality

Autonomy

Confidentiality of records - a. Get permission from the pt before discussing their care with another provider

Non-Maleficence

Duty to refrain from harming the pt

Non-Maleficence

DO NO HARM

Non-Maleficence

Education - a. Keep skills current

Non-Maleficence

Consultation and referral - a. Utilize specialists when needed

Non-Maleficence

Use of allied dental personnel - a. Delegate only legal tasks to qualified auxiliary personnel

Non-Maleficence

Personal impairment - a. Do NOT practice under the influence

Non-Maleficence

Postexposure, bloodborne pathogens - a. NOTIFY exposed pts and arrange follow-up care

Non-Maleficence

Pt abandonment - a. Do NOT discontinue care without adequate notice

Non-Maleficence

Second opinion - a. Provide UNBIASED treatment options

Non-Maleficence

Ability to practice - a. LIMIT practice if illness or impairment risks pt safety

Beneficence

DUTY to promote the pts welfare - a. DO GOOD

Beneficence

Community service - a. Serve the community through professional involvement

Beneficence

Governance of a profession - a. Join a professional society and observe its rules of ethics

Beneficence

Research and development - a. Make the results of research available to the profession

Beneficence

Patients and copyrights - a. Allowed as long as they do not restrict research or practice

Beneficence

Professional demeanor in the workplace - a. Promote a respectful and collaborative space

Beneficence

Elective and non-emergent procedures during a public health emergency - a. Balance pt care with community safety

Beneficence

Reporting abuse and neglect - a. Know and fulfill mandatory reporting duties

Beneficence

Disruptive behavior in the workplace - a. Maintain professional to preserve public trust

Justice

Duty to treat ppl fairly

Justice

Pt selection - a. DO NOT deny care to pts based on race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability

Justice

Justifiable criticism - a. Discuss oral health status objectively WITHOUT criticizing previous dentists

Justice

Emergency services - a. Ensure emergency care is available for pts of record

Justice

Expert testimony - a. May provide expert testimony when appropriate

Justice

Rebates and split fees - a. Do not accept rebates or split fees

Justice

Pts with disabilities or bloodborne pathogens - a. Assess competency to treat or refer to a specialist if needed

Justice

Meaning of "justifiable" - a. Comments about prior care should be truthful, informed, and justifiable

Justice

Contingent fees - a. Do not accept payment contingent on lawsuit outcomes

Justice

Split fees in advertising and marketing services - a. No fee splitting with third-party advertising or marketing vendors

Veracity

Representation of care - a. Do not misrepresent pt care

Veracity

Representation of fees - a. Do not misrepresent fees

Veracity

Disclosure of conflict of interest - a. Disclose financial or special interests when presenting information

Veracity

Devices and therapeutic methods - a. Prescribe or promote treatment that is available to the entire dental profession

Veracity

Professional announcement - a. Do not misrepresent training or incompetence

Veracity

Advertising - a. Advertise truthfully

Veracity

Name of practice - a. Former dentist's name may be used for no longer than 1 year after they leave the practice

Veracity

Dental amalgam and other restorative materials - a. Do not recommend amalgam removal based on toxicity claims

Veracity

Unsubstantiated representation - a. Do not make claims without scientific evidence

Veracity

Waiver of copayment - a. Disclose if pt copayments are not collected

Veracity

Overbilling - a. Do not increase fees bc insurance covers txt

Veracity

Fee differential - a. Charge the full fee for uninsured pts

Veracity

Treatment dates - a. Do not alter txt dates for insurance benefits

Veracity

Dental procedures - a. Accurately describe procedures in insurance claims

Veracity

Unnecessary services - a. Do not provide unnecessary txt

Veracity

Reporting Adverse rxns - a. Report adverse rxns to FDA and dental/medical professions

Veracity

Marketing or sale of products - a. Recommend products honestly and based on evidence

Veracity

Published communications - a. Cite sources of dental health information

Veracity

Examples of "false or misleading" - a. Do not omit facts that affect the truth

Veracity

Unearned, non-health degrees - a. Advertise only earned degrees

Veracity

Dentist leaving practice - a. Obtain legal advice before authorizing name use beyond 1 year

Veracity

Infectious disease test results - a. Do not use misleading health claims in marketing

Veracity

Websites and search engine optimization - a. Website content must be truthful and non-misleading

Veracity

Announcement of specialization and limitation of practice - a. Specialists in ADA-recognized specialties can announce themselves as such

Veracity

General practitioner announcement of services - a. General dentists may advertise services without implying specialty training

Veracity

Referral services - a. Avoid misleading referral advertising

Veracity

Dual degree dentists - a. May advertise both degrees if properly licensed

Veracity

Specialist announcement of credentials in non-specialty interest areas - a. Use appropriate language when advertising non-specialty interests

Veracity

General practitioner announcement of credentials in interest areas - a. General dentists may advertise interest areas in compliance with ADA ethics

Veracity

Credentials in general dentistry - a. May advertise fellowships or other credentials without implying specialist status