ADA Principles of Ethics & Code of Professional Conduct

Three main components of ADA Code

1. Principle of Ethics
2. Code of Professional Conduct
3. Advisory Opinions

What are the six Codes of Professional Conduct that fall under Beneficence?

1. Community Service
2. Government of a Profession
3. Research and Development
4. Patents and Copyrights
5. Abuse and Neglect
6. Professional Demeanor in the Workplace

What are the Principles of Ethics? (as a whole)

Aspirational goals of the profession. They provide guidance and offer justification for the Code of Professional Conduct and the Advisory Opinions

What principle does the following statement apply to:
"This principle expresses the concept that professionals have a duty to treat the patient according to the patient's desires, within the bounds of accepted treatment, and to protect the patient's confidentiality."

patient autonomy

To which principle does the following statement apply:
"Under this principle the dentist's primary obligations include involving patients in treatment decisions in a meaningful way, with due consideration being given to the patient's needs, desires and abilities, and safeguarding the patient's privacy."

patient autonomy

What are the two Codes of Professional Conduct that apply to the principle Patient Autonomy?

1. Patient Involvement
2. Patient Records

Under which Principle does the following Advisory Opinion apply:
Furnishing Copies of Records

Patient Autonomy
(C.P.O. - Patient Records)

Under which Principle does the following Advisory Opinion apply:
Confidentiality of Patient Records

Patient Autonomy
(C.P.O. - Patient Records)

True or False: Confidentiality laws across the U.S. are uniform therefore the dentist only needs to learn the one set of laws.

False: Laws of the various jurisdictions in the U.S. are not uniform and some confidentiality laws appear to prohibit the transfer of pertinent information, such as HIV seropositivity.

Under which Principle does the following apply:
"A dentist should obtain the patient's written permission before forwarding health records which contain information of sensitive nature such as HIV seropositivity, chemical dependency, or sexual preference."

Patient Autonomy
(A.O. - Confidentiality of patient records)

Which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct fall under: Patient Involvement

Patient Autonomy

Which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct fall under: Patient Records

Patient Autonomy

True or False: A dentist has the ethical obligation on request of either the patient or the patient's new dentist to furnish in accordance with applicable law either GRATUITOUSLY or for NOMINAL COST dental records or copies/summaries.

True: According to Advisory Opinion "Furnishing Copies of Records" under Patient Autonomy Patient Records

What does the Principle Nonmaleficence mean? (term)

Do no harm - The dentist has a duty to refrain from harming the patient.

Under which Principle does the following statement apply:
"This principle expresses the concept that professionals have a duty to protect the patient from harm."

Nonmaleficence

Under which Principle does the following statement apply: "The dentist's primary obligations include keeping knowledge and skills current, knowing one's own limitations and when to refer to a specialist or other professional, and knowing when and under what circumstances delegation of patient care to auxiliaries is appropriate."

Nonmaleficence

What are the seven Codes of Professional Conduct that fall under the Principle Maleficence?

1. Education
2. Consultation and Referral
3. Use of Auxiliary Personnel
4. Personal Impairment
5. Postexposure, Bloodborne Pathogens
6. Patient Abandonment
7. Personal Relationships with Patients

Which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct fall under: Education

Nonmaleficence

Which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct fall under: Consultation and Referral

Nonmaleficence

Which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct fall under: Use of Auxiliary Personnel

Nonmaleficence

Which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct fall under: Personal Impairment

Nonmaleficence

Which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct fall under: Postexposure, Bloodborne Pathogens

Nonmaleficence

Which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct fall under: Patient Abandonment

Nonmaleficence

Which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct fall under: Personal Relationships with Patients

Nonmaleficence

True or False: A specialist or consulting dentist upon completion of their care must return the patient, unless the patient expressly reveals a different preference, to the referring dentist, or, if none, to the dentist of record for future care.

True: According to Code of Professional Conduct 2.B. Consultation and Referral under Principle Nonmaleficence

Under which Principle does the following statement apply:
"All dentists have the obligation of keeping their knowledge and skill current."

Nonmaleficence
(C.P.O. - Education)

Under which Principle does the following statement apply:
"Dentists are obliged to seek consultation to the benefit of the patient by utilizing those who have special skills, knowledge, and experience."

Nonmaleficence
(CPO - Consultation and Referral)

True or False: A dentist rendering a second opinion should not have a vested interest in the ensuing recommendation.

True: Advisory Opinion "Second Opinions" (Consultation and Referral - Nonmaleficence)

Under which Principle does the following statement apply:
"Dentists shall be obliged to protect the health of their patients by only assigning qualified auxilliaries and may be further obliged to prescribe and supervise the patient care provided by all auxilliary personnel."

Nonmaleficence
(CPO - Use of Auxiliary Personnel)

Under which Principle does the following statement apply:
"It is unethical for a dentist to practice while abusing controlled substances, alcohol, or other chemical agents."

Nonmaleficence
(CPO - Personal Impairment)

True or False: A dentist who contracts any disease or becomes impaired in any way that might endanger patients or dental staff shall cease and desist with all further patient care.

False: Shall limit activities of practice to those areas that do no endanger patients or staff which consultation and advice from physician
Advisory Opinion Ability to Practice (Personal Impairment - Nonmaleficence)

Under which Principle does the following statement apply:
"All dentists have an ethical obligation to immediately inform any patient who may have been exposed to blood or other potentially infectious material of the need for postexposure evaluation and follow-up immediately. This includes dentist's own bloodborne pathogen status."

Nonmaleficence
(CPO - Postexposure, Bloodborne Pathogens)

Under which Principle does the following statement apply:
"Once a dentist has undertaken a course of treatment, the dentist should not discontinue treatment without giving the patient notice and services to another dentist."

Nonmaleficence
(CPO - Patient Abandonment)

Under which Principle does the following statement apply:
"Dentists should avoid interpersonal relationships that could impair professional judgement or possibility of exploiting the confidence placed in them by a patient."

Nonmaleficence
(CPO - Personal Relationships with Patients)

What does the Principle Beneficence mean? (term)

Do good

Under which Principle does the following statement apply:
"The dentist has a duty to promote the patient's welfare."

Beneficence

True or False: Ethical issues may exceed legal duties.

True

Under which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct apply:
Community Service

Beneficence

Under which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct apply:
Government of a Profession

Beneficence

Under which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct apply:
Research and Development

Beneficence

Under which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct apply:
Patents and Copyrights

Beneficence

Under which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct apply:
Abuse and Neglect

Beneficence

Under which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct apply:
Professional Demeanor in the Workplace

Beneficence

Under which Principle does the following apply:
"Since dentists have an obligation to use their skills, knowledge, and experience for the improvement of the dental health of the public and are encourage to be leaders in their community, dentists shall conduct themselves in such a manner as to maintain or elevate the esteem of the profession."

Beneficence
(CPO - Community Service)

Under which Principle does the following apply:
"All dentists have the dual obligation of making themselves a part of a professional society and of observing its rules of ethics."

Beneficence
(CPO - Government of a Profession)

Under which Principle does the following apply:
"Dentists have the obligation of making the results and benefits of their investigative efforts available to all when they are useful in safeguarding or promoting the health of the public."

Beneficence
(CPO - Research and Development)

True or False: Dentists have the right to choose to divulge the results and benefits of their investigative efforts.

False: Dentists have the obligation of making the results and benefits of their investigative efforts available to all when they are useful in safeguarding or promoting the health of the public. (Beneficence - Research and Development)

Under which Principle does the following apply:
"Patents and copyrights may be secured by dentists that such patents and copyrights shall not be used to restrict research or practice."

Beneficence
(CPO - Patents and Copyrights)

Under which Principle does the following apply:
"Dentists shall be obliged to become familiar with the signs of abuse and neglect and to report suspected cases to the proper authorities, consistent with state laws."

Beneficence
(CPO - Abuse and Neglect)

True or False: Jurisdictional laws vary in their definitions of abuse and neglect.

True: Dentists should be aware in reporting requirements and the extent to which immunity is granted to good faith reporters.
(Beneficence - Abuse and Neglect - Advisory Opinion Reporting Abuse and Neglect)

Under which Principle does the following apply:
Dentists have the obligation to provide a workplace environment that supports respectful and collaborative relationships for all those involved in oral health care.

Beneficence
(CPO - Professional Demeanor in the Workplace)

What does the Principle Justice mean? (term)

Fairness - The dentist has a duty to treat people fairly.

Under which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct Apply:
Patient Selection

Justice

Under which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct Apply:
Emergency Service

Justice

Under which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct Apply:
Justifiable Criticism

Justice

Under which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct Apply:
Expert Testimony

Justice

Under which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct Apply:
Rebates and Split Fees

Justice

Under which Principle does the following apply:
"While dentist, in serving the public, may exercise reasonable discretion in selecting
patients for their practices, dentists shall not refuse to accept patients into their
practice or deny dental service to patients because of the patient's race, creed, color,
gender, sexual orientation or gender identity or national origin."

Justice
(CPO - Patient Selection)

Under which Principle does the following apply:
"A dentist has the general obligation to provide care to those in need. A decision not to provide treatment to an individual because they're infected with any bloodborne pathogen is unethical."

Justice
(CPO - Patient Selection, A.O. - Patients with Bloodborne Pathogens)

Under which Principle does the following apply:
"Dentists shall be obliged to make reasonable arrangements for the emergency care
of their patients of record."

Justice
(CPO - Emergency Service)

Under which Principle does the following apply:
"Dentists shall be obliged to report to the appropriate reviewing agency as determined
by the local component or constituent society instances of gross or continual faulty
treatment by other dentists."

Justice
(CPO - Justifiable Criticism)

Under which Principle does the following apply:
"Dentists may provide expert testimony when that testimony is essential to a just and fair disposition of a judicial or administrative action."

Justice
(CPO - Expert Testimony)

Under which Principle does the following apply:
"It is unethical for a dentist to agree to a fee contingent upon the favorable outcome of the litigation in exchange for testifying as a dental expert."

Justice
(CPO - Expert Testimony, AO - Contingent Fees)

Under which Principle does the following apply:
Dentists shall not accept or tender "rebates" or "split fees."

Justice
(CPO - Rebates and Split Fees)

What does Veracity mean? (term)

Truthfulness - The dentist has a duty to communicate truthfully.

What are the eight Codes of Professional Conduct of Veracity?

1. Representation of Care
2. Representation of Fees
3. Disclosure of Conflict of Interest
4. Devices and Therapeutic Methods
5. Professional Announcement
6. Advertising
7. Name of Practice
8. Announcement of Specialization and Limitation of Practice

Under which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct apply:
Representation of Care

Veracity

Under which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct apply:
Representation of Fees

Veracity

Under which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct apply:
Disclosure of Conflict of Interest

Veracity

Under which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct apply:
Devices and Therapeutic Methods

Veracity

Under which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct apply:
Professional Announcement

Veracity

Under which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct apply:
Advertising

Veracity

Under which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct apply:
Name of Practice

Veracity

Under which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct apply:
Announcement of Specialization and Limitation of Practice

Veracity

Under which Principle does the following Code of Professional Conduct apply:
General Practitioner Announcement of Services

Veracity

Under which Principle does the following apply:
Dentists shall not represent the care being rendered to their patients in a false or misleading manner.

Veracity
(CPO - Representation of Care)

Under which Principle does the following apply:
Dentists shall not represent the fees being charged for providing care in a false or misleading manner.

Veracity
(CPO - Representation of fees)

Under which Principle does the following apply:
A dentist who presents educational or scientific information in an article, seminar or
other program shall disclose to the readers or participants any monetary or other
special interest the dentist may have with a company whose products are promoted
or endorsed in the presentation.

Veracity
(CPO - Disclosure of Conflict of Interest)

Under which Principle does the following apply:
Except for formal investigative studies, dentists shall be obliged to prescribe, dispense,
or promote only those devices, drugs and other agents whose complete formulae are
available to the dental profession.

Veracity
(CPO - Devices and Therapeutic Methods)

Under which Principle does the following apply:
In order to properly serve the public, dentists should represent themselves in a
manner that contributes to the esteem of the profession. Dentists should not
misrepresent their training and competence in any way that would be false or
misleading in any material respect.

Veracity
(CPO - Professional Announcement)

Under which Principle does the following apply:
Although any dentist may advertise, no dentist shall advertise or solicit patients in
any form of communication in a manner that is false or misleading in any material
respect.

Veracity
(CPO - Advertisement)

Under which Principle does the following apply:
Since the name under which a dentist conducts his or her practice may be a factor
in the selection process of the patient, the use of a trade name or an assumed name
that is false or misleading in any material respect is unethical.

Veracity
(CPO - Name of Practice)

True or False: Use of the name of a dentist no longer actively associated with the practice may be continued for a period not to exceed 6 months.

False: Not to exceed one year

Under which Principle does the following apply:
General dentists who wish to announce the services available in their practices are
permitted to announce the availability of those services so long as they avoid any
communications that express or imply specialization. General dentists shall also state
that the services are being provided by general dentists. No dentist shall announce
available services in any way that would be false or misleading in any material respect.

Veracity
(CPO - General Practitioner Announcement of Services)

moral principles or virtues that govern the character and conduct of an individual or group

ethics

a from of etiquette in the workplace that is linked primarily to respectful and courteous conduct

professionalism

use of superior knowledge, skill and judgement to the benefit of another prior to any consideration of self interest

professionalism

what does the profession of dentistry expect of us as oral healthcare professionals?

1) have the HIGHEST ETHICAL STANDARDS and highest quality of oral health care for the public
2) ADVOCATE for access to healthcare and enhance the oral health of the public through the provision of state of the art dental services in a safe comfortable and cost effective manner
3) increase ACCESS to healthcare
4) work to improve PUBLIC PROTECTION
5) be PROFESSIONALLY COMPETENT
6) have SOCIAL PRACTICE
7) engage in RESEARCH

list the six concepts which the ADA sees as important in modeling the profession

advocacy, access, public protection, professional competence, social practice, research

works to protect the public and promote patient safety

public protection

Legally refers to permissible boundaries of practice and is defined by state statutes (written law) rules and regulations, or a combination of the two.

the dental profession makes changes based on new treatments and technology to ensure that the public receives quality care in a safe, cost-effect manner

scopes of practice

list the 8 categories of professional obligations as described in the American College of Dentists Ethics Handbook for Dentists (ACD)

Chief client
ideal relationship
central values
competence
relative
ideal relationships between co-professionals
relationship between dentistry and the larger community
integrity and education

which ACD obligation is committed to serving the well being of the patient?

chief client

which ACD obligation is defined as shared respect, both bring important values?

ideal relationship

which ACD obligation is a focus of profession's expertise, a certain set of values, obligated to work to secure?

central values

which ACD obligation is professional tasks

competence

which ACD obligation is given considerable, but not absolute priority

relative priority to the patient's wellbeing

which ACD obligation is not set, but are professional obligations to co-professionals

ideal relationships between co-professionals

which ACD obligation is related to what you communicate about your stand through your behavior

integrity and education

basic and fundamental beliefs that guide or motivate attitudes or actions

values