Comprehensive RDH Roles, Ethics, and Clinical Services in Dental Hygiene Education

Preventive Care

Focus on preventing oral health issues through education and early intervention.

Therapeutic Treatments

Involves clinical treatments aimed at controlling diseases and maintaining oral health.

Research and Administration

Engaging in research to improve practices and managing administrative tasks within dental settings.

Entrepreneurship

Encouraging RDHs to explore entrepreneurial opportunities within the dental field.

Preventive Services

Aimed at maintaining optimal oral health through education and early intervention.

Therapeutic Services

Designed to treat existing conditions and prevent further progression.

Tertiary Services

Focus on rehabilitation and replacement of lost tissues.

Ethical Issues vs. Dilemmas

Ethical issues often have a clear resolution, while dilemmas present two morally correct options.

Information

Gather information on the patient regarding the situation.

Identification

Assess whether it's an ethical issue or best addressed by other resources.

Clarification

Is the information understood? What are the patient's rights?

Assessment

Generate options/alternatives.

Recommendation

Choose the best alternative and obtain patient consent.

Documentation

Document the recommendation in record. Follow up with patient.

ADPIE Process of Care

Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation.

Direct Access

Hygienist can make a treatment plan and initiate treatment based on patient assessment.

Public Health Settings

Settings such as headstart, nursing homes, and free clinics.

Roles of an RDH

Education, assessment, diagnosis, prevention, non-surgical therapy, research, administration, entrepreneur.

Core Values

Individual autonomy, Confidentiality, Societal trust, Nonmaleficence, Beneficence, Veracity.

Individual Autonomy

People have the right to be treated with respect.

Confidentiality

Respect the privacy of patient information.

Societal Trust

Value patient trust and understand public trust in our profession.

Nonmaleficence

Obligation to provide service to patients that protects them and minimizes harm.

Beneficence

Promoting well-being of individuals and the public by engaging in promoting oral health.

Veracity

Obligation to tell the truth and expect others to do the same.