Intro to Dental Assisting- Ch 4/Test/COMPLETE

Ethics Generally

Each member of the dental team is a representative of both their team and their individual professions

Ethics is a guide of what to do in life

Laws are specific rules to follow

Ethical standards are a higher order than minimum legal standards

Study of ethics:

• What should I do?

• Why should I do it?

Sources for Ethics

You have been learning personal ethics throughout your life in a variety of ways from the following sources:

• Basic instinct

• Parents

• Teachers

• Religion

• Observation of other people’s behavior

Ethical Standards in Dentistry

ADA Code of Professional Conduct

Five fundamental principles of ethics (from the ADA Code of Professional Conduct)

• Patient autonomy (self-governance)

• Nonmaleficence (do no harm)

• Beneficence (do good)

• Justice (fairness)

• Veracity (truthfulness)

Professional Code of Ethics for Dental Assistants

Voluntary standards set by members of the profession

• ADAA Principles of Ethics

• ADAA Code of Member Conduct

• CDAA Code of Ethics

ADAA Principles of Professional Ethics

FOREWORD: The Principles of Professional Ethics lists legal and ethical guidelines expected by patients, employers, employees, and, in many areas, required by regulatory boards.

Cause no harm;

Uphold all federal, state, and local laws and regulations;

Be truthful and honest in verbal, financial, and treatment endeavors;

Recognize and report signs of abuse to proper authorities;

Assist in informed decision-making of treatment options; while respecting the rights of patients to determine the final course of treatment to be rendered;

Do not discriminate against others;

Support, promote and participate in access to care efforts through education, professional activities and programs;

Deliver optimum care utilizing professional knowledge, judgment, and skill within the law;

Be compassionate, respectful, kind, and fair to employers, co-workers, and patients;

Refrain from denigrating by word, print, or in electronic communication his/her employer, workplace, or colleagues at all times;

Create and maintain a safe work environment;

Assist in conflict management when necessary to maintain harmony within the workplace;

Strive for self-improvement through continuing education;

Strive for a healthy lifestyle that may prevent physical or mental impairment caused by any type of illness;

Refrain from any substance abuse;

Never misrepresent professional credentials or education.

Steps for Solving Ethical Dilemmas

Step 1: Identify the alternatives

Step 2: Determine all implications

Step 3: Rank the alternatives

Step 4: Choose a course of action

What is ethics?

Moral standards of conduct; rules or principles that govern proper conduct

An ethics curriculum is now required in every U.S. dental school. Although at present 80% of all dental schools offer courses in ethics, the emphasis in many is on jurisprudence.

What is meant by conduct?

Comporting oneself or behaving in a certain way

To whom can you go for help in resolving ethical dilemmas that arise in your professional environment?

Your supervisor is one option

nonmaleficence means

do no harm

Beneficence means

to do good or promote well-being

veracity is

the duty to tell the truth and provide accurate information.

justice means

the ethical principle of fairness in dental care and resource distribution.

autonomy

the right of patients to make informed decisions about their own dental care.

Self determination

code of ethics

voluntary standards of behavior established by a profession. It serves as a guide for professionals to ensure integrity and quality care in their practice.

confidentiality 

not revealing personal information about patients without their consent.

ethics

moral standards of conduct; rules or principles that govern proper conduct