Ethics confidentiality question

Confidentiality is a…

fundamental ethical and legal principle in healthcare. It protects the privacy, dignity, and trust of the patient-practitioner relationship.

Every patient has the…

right to expect that their personal information will not be disclosed without their consent, except in specific situations permitted by law.

Confidentiality is important for…

several reasons. It helps to build trust between patients and oral health professionals. When patients trust that their information will remain private, they are more likely to disclose sensitive details about their health, lifestyle, or behaviours that are important for accurate diagnosis.

It also respects patients…

autonomy and their legal rights under the Health Information Privacy Code (2020) and the Health and Disability Commissioner (Code of Rights) 1996, particularly Right 1 (respect), right 3 (dignity and independence), and right 4 (standard of care).

Maintaining confidentiality also…

upholds professional integrity and public’s confidence in the oral health profession.

Breaching confidentiality…

could harm the patient emotionally or socially, damage professional reputation, and may result in disciplinary action by the Dental Council of New Zealand (DCNZ).