This book is written in the context of "real-world" situations that you will encounter on a regular basis in dental hygiene practice. Beneficence – Any action taken by the dentist should benefit the patient. The provider needs to make sure patients understand their options, and patients then acknowledge they have all the information, benefits, and risks along with their financial obligation. Doing the right thing when confronted with a difficult circumstance is one way to define ethical behavior. As a clinical consultant, Nancy Miller, RDH, saw plenty of enviable operatories. You’re treating a patient whom you have never seen, but has been a faithful patient, never missing a prophy. The book is divided into three sections: ethics, law, and simulations and applications. Step two, collect specific information, is critical to the case in question. The best way to illustrate a moral dilemma is to look at a specific example. She presents with moderate bone loss and moderate subgingival calculus. In addition to its legal and ethical role, the dental fraternity in India is slowly waking up to its importance in forensic dentistry. LEGAL AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR DENTAL HYGIENISTS AND ASSISTANTS provides them with strong theoretical and philosophical information concerning the legal ethical and management dilemmas that face the entire dental health team. The following examples of ethical challenges in dentistry are taken from my own experience with the exception of the last example. 2) Radiographic refusal is a huge problem in many practices due to the economy and lack of insurance. Are principles in conflict? Informed consent is highly recommended for today’s progressive medical and dental treatment. Your session is about to expire. Gagging in the dental chair is embarrassing and awkward for everyone. Ethical dilemmas arise when one or more ethical principles or core values are in conflict. We knew there was important information during the lectures, but we hoped that we would never have to experience an ethical dilemma. A situation arose at work this past week and I feel I am between a rock and a hard place. The black, white, and very gray areas of radiology. If you're interested in the topic, you probably recognize her name. ... Ethics and Law in Dental Hygiene, 3rd Edition ... An ethical dilemma occurs when one or more ethical … Ethical is also defined as “maximizing the good while minimizing the bad,”1 or according to Merriam Webster, ethics is “the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation.”2 Another definition is being professional and being able to deal with morally perplexing situations.3 Regardless of the definition, it is not always easy to do the right thing in a given circumstance because the right choice may not always benefit the hygienist’s best interests. What are the cell phone policies in your dental office? (2006). Brondani MA, Rossoff LP. It was the class where we tried not to fall asleep during our first year as dental hygiene students. Its … J Dent Educ., 69(2):225-8. Too often a war of opinions between hygienists and assistants breaks out in dental offices, which can result in a miserable or even hostile work environment for the entire staff. 31 is not so lucky. Ethical dilemma refers to the state in which one has to choose mostly between two or more options which are equally identical in magnitude or importance. 1. More specifically, what is good, right, or proper for a person to do in this situation? Ethical dilemmas in dental assisting. The responsibility that goes with this status is to uphold the principles and core values of the professions. I need advice/support/an ear/anything. Dental hygiene ethics is an essential component of the dental hygiene curriculum. It explores real life ethical dilemmas dental students and new dentists may face and recommends activities that enhance the public trust of the profession Participants will learn: Understand why ethics are the foundation of a trusted health profession. This case involves a patient who has refused any type of X-ray since 2005. Nonetheless, patients do have an involvement in their care, and if the provider feels a patient’s refusal of X-rays is limiting diagnostic capabilities, a dentist “may consider discussing with the patient options regarding consultation with or treatment by another dentist.”8, These ethical dilemmas, though typical, are still difficult to work through in each situation. This scenario puts the dentist in an ethical dilemma and suggests a conflict of interest, as she wants to provide the best treatment for her patient, but also needs to manage the costs associated with running a practice and providing the treatment. Ethical Dilemma And Dental Hygienist. –Example: Risk of Harm (Safety) versus Self-Determination •Do ethical codes tell professionals how to resolve an ethical dilemma? (Accepted for publication 25 July 2001.) In today’s economic climate, one would assume overselling or overtreatment would be more widespread than supervised neglect, but surprisingly, supervised neglect does occur, even in good dental practices. I found Zen to be the hardest. Wentworth R. (June 2010). Ethical Dilemma •“An ethical dilemma is a situation in which professional duties and obligations, rooted in core values, clash” (Reamer, 2013, p.4). Apply the ethical principle to the options, Includes “Self-determination, the right to decide what happens or does not happen to us”5, Knowledge of all information regarding treatment, risk, and benefits, Patients make their own decisions, the right to say yes or no to treatment, Patients have a right to confidentiality and privacy regarding their health care, Promote good for the patient; protect the patient from harm, Acting in the best interest of the patient, Do not undertake a procedure without the patient’s consent (informed consent) or do a procedure for which you are not adequately trained, Do not discriminate any patient seeking a dental diagnosis or treatment. Working through an ethical dilemma does not come easily, but takes practice and careful consideration. Dental professionals must weigh options that allow a patient’s autonomy while exercising beneficence and avoiding maleficence. There is no sense in going through these six steps unless you’re serious about implementing the decision to your ethical dilemma. J Am Coll Dent., 73(3): 36-39.7. If you're interested in the topic, you probably recognize her name. Years ago the “doctor knows best” approach regarding treatment was common. J Am Dental Assoc. Unfortunately, the patient did lose several teeth that had advanced periodontal pocketing, but he is now receiving active periodontal therapy via the periodontist (beneficence). is performing pro bono procedures not realistic or something? Cell phones are here to stay. Step three, state the options, is a step-by-step process or analysis to judge each option and the consequences related to each option. Jenson L. (February 2005). They can be helpful in many situations, but each office should have rules in place so that all staff are on the same page regarding when they can use them. The patient was practicing his autonomy; however, the dentist was not considering beneficence for this patient. Dental hygiene students presenting an ethical dilemma in video format for a course assignment. The core issues in dental ethics are the ethics of the dentist patient relationship, patient's confidentiality, and the need to obtain informed consent. Beemsterboer recommends, “State how each alternative will affect the ethical principle or rule by developing a list of pros and cons.”1 List each principle violated while considering specific values such as supervised neglect, informed consent, paternalism, and more. 2 For example, a patient requests a 12-month recare schedule due to financial difficulties (autonomy), but the dental hygienist believes that 4-month appointments are what the patient needs to improve his oral health (beneficence). Three organizations have produced ethical guidelines for industrial hygienists: the American Board of Industrial Hygiene, the Joint Industrial Hygiene Ethics Education Committee, and the International Commission on Occupational Health. There is rarely a clear answer regarding right and wrong. Person responsible for the decision may need to make a moral evaluation of those involved, based on altruism. The book I find most useful on the subject is by Dr. Laurence Le Shan, How to Meditate. Ethical dilemmas in dental … The doctor merely picked a course of treatment he or she thought was best for the patient. Then hygienists can address, analyze, and solve ethical dilemmas properly using their ethical training within the “context of clinical, workplace, and professional situation[s].”4 RDH. Understanding and applying legal and ethical principles protects the provider (dental hygienist), the client, the employer, and the employee. Not taking X-rays for so long is a form of nonmaleficence, and it does not benefit the patient and can harm the patient due to undetected periodontal disease, decay, pathology, and more. Both these situations result in cause for disagreement between the dental hygienist and his or her employer in which an ethical dilemma will ensue. Ethical Dilemmas in Oral Health Care The two main goals involved in ethics are the ability to discern right from wrong and the commitment to act on a decision. Learn how to make sound ethical and legal decisions in practice with ETHICS AND LAW IN DENTAL HYGIENE, Second Edition. Critical Review of Ethical Decision Making In the profession of Dental Hygiene, ethical dilemmas are nearly impossible to avoid, and most hygienists at some point in their professional life will have to face and answer ethical questions. © 2020 Endeavor Business Media, LLC. Test your oral pathology and dental hygiene knowledge against these cases. All rights reserved. Dental Hygienists are a community of professionals devoted to the prevention of oral disease and the promotion and improvement of the public's health. Virtue Ethics: Proper hand hygiene can be emphasized for the reason that is a morally correct choice, consistent with the virtues necessary to be a good Not surprisingly, this patient did not want to lose his teeth and agreed to see the periodontist for further treatment (informed consent in action). Dental offices, like medical offices, are able to “provide patients a financial estimate for prostheses and other treatments,” and even have patients sign a document acknowledging their financial agreement.6 This agreement helps patients understand their alternatives regarding treatment. Even though Dental Hygiene was not in my top ten strong occupations, it fit in the first two of five top interest areas according to the Strong Interest Inventory. The Dental Hygiene Process of Care (Wilkins, 2009) Assessment: Medical and Dental History: Alex is currently under the care of his primary physician for nutritional counseling and behavioral issues. The “hot seat” experience: a multifaceted approach to the teaching of ethics in a dental curriculum. “Beneficence and nonmaleficence are often linked because both are found in the Hippocratic tradition, which requires the physician [dentist or hygienist] to do what will best benefit the patient.”1 It is important for the dental hygienist to consider all four ethical principles when weighing a moral dilemma regarding patients. Now here you are in your dental office faced with a situation that needs to be resolved. Instead, the dentist puts the blame on the patient for refusing the care offered. For example, in this instance if the dentist did not explain the evidence behind fluoride being safe to use in the concentrations found in toothpaste, the patient could go on to influence other members of the public. tal Ethics and Law Society, taught dental ethics for some 15 years, and published extensively on topics in dental ethics, including an edited volume entitled Justice in Oral Health Care – Ethical and Edu-cational Perspectives. Paternalism is the practice of acting as the “parent,” which is taking it upon oneself to make decisions for the patient. A useful tool the clinician can refer to is the appropriate code of ethics for their discipline. Dentistry sector just like other professions is not an exceptional to this perennial challenge. You did not finish creating your certificate. "There's not a whole lot of literature about ethical dilemmas that arise in the dental hygiene workplace," said Phyllis Beemsterboer, RDH, MS, EdD, FACD. Ethical reflection in dentistry: first steps at the faculty of dental surgery of Toulouse. Patients deserve to exercise their self-determination, but not at the risk of their dental health. D. However, tooth No. But I suspect that`s wishing for too much. The clinician must be aware of the ethical issues that can arise and be prepared to take appropriate action when necessary. Ethical Dilemma and Decision Making. Yes, that is seven years without an X-ray! Without a conflict of principles, there is no ethical problem but merely a right or wrong type of predicament. Dental Admissions like it when a candidate offers alternatives and tries to work with the patient. To illustrate supervised neglect, two case examples show common dental care dilemmas hygienists experience — periodontal disease treated conservatively in high-risk patients, and radiographic refusal. He sees an endocrinologist for growth hormone treatment to increase his growth, decrease his body fat, and improve his muscle tone. We all took that class. Hamel O et al. JADA Ethical Moment Articles Since 2004, the Council on Ethics, Bylaws and Judicial Affairs has contributed a series of articles discussing ethical dilemmas confronted in the practice of dentistry. Dental professionals, including dental hygienists, are confronted daily with difficult choices that require decisive action and judgment calls for which careful deliberation is required.4 To enable a fair consideration for all parties, certain guidelines or health-care principles are available to “weigh the potential consequences (benefits and harm) and the rights and general welfare of all involved.”4 The four principles of health-care ethics are autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice5 (see chart 1). Do you have a legitimate ethical dilemma? Many different styles of meditation are available. This allows for patient autonomy, self-determination, and beneficence, thus avoiding paternalism. Principles help address the moral question: What ought a person to do in a troublesome situation? Dental hygienists will face ethical dilemmas at some point in their careers. Here are some examples and words of encouragement from the ADAA president. The patient feels awful, and the dentist feels terrible for the patient, but he does not see that this as a case of supervised neglect. Retrieved from: Academic Search Complete, Ipswich, Ma Accessed December 28, 2011.6. Retreived online Dec. 9, 2011 from http://jada.ada.org/content/141/9/1125.full8. What is the hygienist to do? Linda Meeuwenberg was a 17-year-old high school student when she took a job at a general dental practice in her hometown of Fruitport, Mich. She was hired to type, file, answer the phone, and pay the bills. The patient is given a treatment plan of extracting a painful tooth and fabricating a three-unit bridge for tooth replacement. For example, if they can’t afford the treatment you could offer an alternative, which would be to prescribe them some Oxycodone to deal with the pain until they save up the funds to get the procedure. What? British Dental Journal. Among these privileges is societal trust and self-regulation. The hygienist is beyond frustrated because she feels she is in over her head. Show the pros and cons of each option and its consequences discussed in step three. Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals who provide educational, clinical, and therapeutic services to the public. in the dental field. Key words: Dental ethics, business ethics, professional behaviour, codes of dental conduct. She gently explains she has done everything she can in her scope of practice, and yet the periodontal disease is still active. The treating hygienist explained, once again, the need for X-rays. Infection Control Dilemma. This is why educational ethics programs in dental hygiene schools are important. Senior dental students (n=123) wrote essays describing an ethical issue they encountered during one of two extramural rotations. This is where an ethical dilemma may occur. Value theory approach: Choose the alternative that offers the greater good or the lesser evil. The dentist did not push the patient to consider X-rays and had no intention of dismissing him from the practice. 31 (part of a three-unit bridge). As in any medical field, the potential for ethical dilemmas exists in dentistry. As in any medical field, the potential for ethical dilemmas exists in dentistry. Ethical moment: what ethical issues should general dentists consider when the state of the economy affects decisions regarding referral of patients to specialists. In this case, there is no mention of possible endodontic treatment or replacing the extracted tooth (if extraction is required) with an implant. The senior dental assistant (Tammy) has been in control of the cold sterile, and I’ve been inquiring recently how that’s been maintained. At times, these decisions are clear; other times ethical dilemmas create conflict with employers, colleagues, or clients. Dianne Glasscoe Watterson, MBA, RDH, provides some tips for temping as a dental hygienist. The information can be specific statements of fact and can come from a variety of sources pertaining to how the conflict began, how it proceeded, and what parties are involved. This dental hygienist admittedly had mixed emotions when she first heard the pediatric practice where she works was purchasing a CBCT unit. (2009) Ethics, professionalism and fitness to practice: three concepts, not one. Pain can have a substantial effect on the treatment options patients consider. We use your LinkedIn profile and activity data to personalize ads and to show you more relevant ads. Tips and tricks: Preventing activation of gag reflex when exposing radiographs. There are several things that dental hygienists can do to help their patients who gag, including sprinkling with salt. Why bother with ethics and law? Y1 - 1995/1/1. 8,10,11. LEGAL AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR DENTAL HYGIENISTS AND ASSISTANTS provides them with strong theoretical and philosophical information concerning the legal ethical and management dilemmas that face the entire dental health team. Ethics and law in dental hygiene (2nd Ed.). Sign up for Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) Magazine eNewsletters. Troubleshoot as many options and their full consequences before proceeding to the next step. For that reason, it was a surprise for me that Dental field was not the unique career which corresponds with my interest and personality type. In its broadest sense, this principle expresses the concept that the dental profession should actively seek allies throughout society on specific activities that will help improve access to care for all. Ethical Dilemma And Dental Hygienist. Breaches of confidentiality; Failure to disclose dental mistakes; Over treatment and poor quality dental … Since 2004, the Council on Ethics, Bylaws and Judicial Affairs has contributed a series of articles discussing ethical dilemmas confronted in the practice of dentistry. Luckily, his calculus formation is now under control, with no subgingival evidence on the X-rays. Purpose. Ethical dilemmas occur all too frequently in everyday life. Nonmaleficence is included in the ADA Code of Professional Conduct description as doing no harm and “… knowing one’s limitations and when to refer to a specialist or another professional.”7. Ethical moment: what ethical responsibilities do I have with regard to radiographs for my patient? J Am Dental Assoc., 141 (9) p. 1125-1126. This principle expresses the concept that professionals have a duty to be fair in their dealings with patients, colleagues and society. As you read through these vignettes, consider how you would handle similar situations. J Am Dent Educ., 74(11):1120-1229.5. In the end, it all boils down to the ability of the practitioner to discern right from wrong and act accordingly. Cone-beam computed tomography in pediatrics. Vital [serial online] 7(2): 37-39. Codes of ethics are the written standards to which health care professionals agree to adhere before society, which grants certain privileges to these groups. He was an associate professor and principal lecturer at the UMC St. Radboud and president of IDEALS, as well as edi-tor-in-chief of the Dutch Dental Journal. However, the hygienist realizes this puts him or her in an ethical dilemma. It explores real life ethical dilemmas dental students and new dentists may face and recommends activities that enhance the public trust of the profession Participants will learn: Understand why ethics are the foundation of a trusted health profession. The dentist has a duty to treat people fairly. Ethical Dilemmas An ethical dilemma occurs when two or more ethical principles are in conflict. She is the current vice president of education for Camelback Toastmasters in Glendale, Ariz. and recently awarded 2010-11 Outstanding Area Y7 Toastmaster of the year. The patient merely signed a release and spent the money he saved on his next vacation. There are conditions when patients slip through the cracks, or long-term patients become so comfortable in a practice they’re allowed a great amount of autonomy, which becomes a detriment to their best interest. Beemsterboer P. (2010). One would assume the option with the most pros would be the correct decision, but carefully evaluating the degree of severity regarding the consequences in the con column may have an affect on your decision. Exercises or decision models can help work through each dilemma to reach an ethical decision. Ethical Challenges—Real-World Examples. I`d like to add a note about your article on Transcendental Meditation (TM) (March 1999 issue). Dental considerations of neuroendocrine tumors and carcinoid cancer . Reactions: doc toothache. However, there are some ethical areas that are more common and will be highlighted here. Due to the patient’s age, the dentist feels this is the easiest approach so the tooth will not give the patient any problems in the future. To illustrate supervised neglect, two case examples show common dental care dilemmas hygienists experience — periodontal disease treated conservatively in high-risk patients, and radiographic refusal. As professionals, we need be familiar with the code of ethics to help guide our behavior. The first step, identify the ethical dilemma, is to pinpoint the ethical problem. Dental Hygiene; Career Development; Ethics in dental hygiene. For the dentist, it is the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct and for the dental hygienist it is the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) Code of Ethics for Dental Hygienists.2,3. Defensive medicine is not an ethical dilemma faced by most, but it is what gives rise to court cases that call into question the necessity of a doctor’s actions. Ethical Decision Making Essay 834 Words | 4 Pages. Categories of Ethical Dilemmas. She stressed that she was working blind regarding subgingival calculus detection and removal without the aid of any current X-rays, and “who really knows what is occurring under No. In some cases, the existence of the dilemma can be logically refuted. 8, No 2, December 2012 Ethical Issues in Modern Day Dental Practice Dr. Shivani Mathur, M.D.S Senior Resident Government Dental College Department of Periodontics and Preventive Dentistry In conclusion, it must be seen that the concept of working ethics among the dental practitioners is so important a concept to be ignored. Dental hygiene ethics is an essential component of the dental hygiene curriculum. An ethical dilemma occurs when two or more ethical principles are morally justifiable but only one is acted on. Some states have implemented an additional practice level for dental hygienists. Get Your Custom Essay on Working ethics and dental hygiene students Just from $13,9/Page Get custom paper Ethical working relationships with the peer dental hygiene is very important since it contains fundamental principles that is needed to drive the dental health … Case Studies for Dental Hygiene Patient Care 2020. The survey explores the ethical dilemmas encountered by dentists in that State and their sources of assistance in addressing ethical problems. Consider this example. TM is difficult for some folks, as are many other forms of meditation. 207(2), 59-62.4. Three days ago I walked into sterilization and saw that the Cold Sterile had about half an inch in height of solution. Ethical Dilemma Situations. Notably, the choice of one does not entirely solve the impending challenge. Dental hygiene veracity ethical dilemmas Ntique Ta. Both these situations result in cause for disagreement between the dental hygienist and his or her employer in which an ethical dilemma will ensue. and why would anyone realistically kick them out? Weighing all outcomes is necessary to reach a fair resolution for each party. Read all about it here! Professional dental assistants have many ethical responsibilities in the practice of their profession. Of course, paternalism is not acceptable today because it eliminates patients’ right to choose the treatment they feel is right for them, even if their choice is not what the doctor feels is best. Categories of Ethical Dilemmas. Wentworth R. (Sept. 2010). Failure to complete ALL the steps will result in a loss of this test score, and you will not receive credit for this course. . Once an individual has gained the necessary professional knowledge and skill and acquired a professional license, he or she is accorded professional status. But the excellent ethical codes for our profession can provide guidance. It is true that the ADA ethical code’s first principle is “patient autonomy” [it states in part], “professionals have a duty to treat the patient according to the patient’s desires, within the bounds of accepted treatment.”8 Seven years without X-rays is not within the bounds of accepted treatment. Surprisingly, the patient has no pain. During one prophylaxis recall, he stated he could not receive X-rays because he just paid for his rental car to the Bahamas, and besides, he did not have insurance! For that reason, it was a surprise for me that Dental field was not the unique career which corresponds with my interest and personality type. Beneficence now becomes a concern. An ethical dilemma occurs when one of the above principles conflicts with another.1 For example, a patient decides he or she wants to save money by refusing X-rays for the fourth year in a row. After receiving root planing, periodontal pocketing is still out of control, with depths ranging from 4 mm to 9mm. Paternalism violates this patient’s autonomy and self-determination, and ethically involves nonmaleficence due to not giving the patient the right to informed consent; thus, paternalism is the opposite of informed consent. Kristin Goodfellow, AS, RDH, explains the importance of taking patient x-rays. continuing the care that starts in your chair, Procter & Gamble - Crest + Oral-B Give Back, Principles in Dentistry and Dental Hygiene, Values and Concepts in Dentistry and Dental Hygiene. Under this principle, the dentist's primary obligations include dealing with people justly and delivering dental care without prejudice. Informed consent requires opening the lines of communication between provider (dentist or hygienist) and patients. Beemsterboer outlines the following six-step decision-making model.1. Beemsterboer wrote the leading dental hygiene textbook on the subject, Ethics and Law for Dental Hygienists. In the end, it all boils down to the ability of the practitioner to discern right from wrong and act accordingly. It’s not for the faint of heart, but forensics can be a very rewarding area. An abnormally large and misshapen mandibular tooth was noted during the clinical exam. An example is when a client’s autonomy is in conflict with the dental hygienist’s beneficence. This Manual is a publication of FDI World Dental Federation. Brennan M. (March 2010). Speaking from her experience as a dental hygienist and former dental assistant, Jamie Collins, RDH, CDA, shares some tips on how to develop healthy relationships in the dental office.
Performance Skills In Drama, Inverse Laplace Transform Of 1, Negative Dialektik Pdf, About How Many Songs Allude To Romeo And Juliet, M40x Headband Replacement, Magic Lemon Custard Cake, Thermo Fisher Manager Salary, Why Is A Robot A Closed System, Severny Island Crater,