Dental Ethics

Introduction

 Dentistry is a profession different from general

businesses
 As a professional dental assistant, you are bound

by an ethical code of conduct

Introduction, (Cont.)

 Ethics deals with moral conduct (right and wrong behavior)

and good and evil
 Ethics includes values, high standards of conduct, and

professional and personal obligations in interacting with each

other
 These qualities are important to us as dental healthcare

professionals, as we provide dental care to our patients

Introduction, (Cont.)

 Ethics seeks to answer two basic questions:

 What should I do?
 Why should I do it?
 Ethics refers to what you should do, not what you must do
 The law deals with what you must do
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
Basic Principles of Ethics

 Regard for self-determination

 A regard for self-determination (autonomy) includes the right to
privacy, freedom of choice, and the acceptance of responsibility for
one’s own actions
 To “do no harm” (nonmaleficence)
 Promotion of well-being (beneficence)
Basic Principles of Ethics, (Cont.)

 Regard for justice

 Promotion of well-being

 Veracity

 Confidentiality

 Privacy

 Continuing education
Confidentiality

 Confidentiality is a very important issue in the health

profession
 Healthcare professionals have an obligation to respect the
patient’s privacy
 However, conflicts involving the principle of confidentiality,
such as in reporting suspected child or elder abuse, will arise
 Sometimes the patient’s right to confidentiality must be
balanced against the rights of other individuals
 Confidentiality in the Dental Office

• Healthcare professionals have an obligation to respect the patient’s privacy. In

addition to moral and ethical principles for patient confidentiality, HIPAA (Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) has very definite legal requirements for
the confidentiality of patients’ health information.
• Why is it important that dental professionals adhere to HIPAA standards? (In addition
to moral and ethical principles regarding patient confidentiality, HIPAA [Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996] has put forth very definite legal
requirements related to confidentiality of patients’ health infor­mation.)
• The dentist must write a privacy policy, a document for his or her patients detailing
the office’s practices.
• Would this conversation between the front-desk personnel and the patient be private
if another patient were present? (No, it wouldn't.)
Professional Code of Ethics

 All of the major professions (e.g., dental, medical, legal) have

written codes of ethics
 These are voluntary standards of behavior, not laws, and serve

as a method of self-policing within a profession

 The codes of ethics of most professions have been revised to

keep them consistent with the times, but there has never been a
change in the moral intent or overall idealism
Professional Code of Ethics, (Cont.)

 Reasons for a code of ethics

 To demonstrate to the public the standard of conduct that can be
expected from its members
 To increase the ethical consciousness and ethical responsibility of its
members
 To guide its members in making informed ethical decisions
 To establish a standard for professional judgment and conduct
Examples of Unethical Behavior

 Charging the patient for a full set of x-rays when only six films
were taken (principle of justice)
 Pressuring a classmate into a decision (principle of autonomy)
 Refusing to help a classmate learn (principle of well-being)
 Harming another person by repeating gossip about him or her

(principle of doing no harm)

The Difference Between Ethics and Law

 Legal issues are settled with the use of laws and

court decisions
 Ethical issues are subject to individual

interpretation with regard to the right or wrong of

a particular situation
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

Applying Ethical Principles

 You may be faced with a situation in which your dentist

employer’s conduct violates ethical standards
 Before you make any judgments, be absolutely certain of all

the information and circumstances

 If violations of ethical conduct have been committed, you must

make some decisions

Ethical Dilemmas

 Do you wish to remain under these circumstances?

 Should you seek other employment?

 If you remain, will it affect you in the eyes of future

employers?
Ethical Dilemmas, (Cont.)

 These decisions are difficult, especially if you like your

employer and enjoy your job
 A dental assistant is not legally obligated to report questionable

actions on the part of the dentist or to try to alter the

circumstances
 However, an ethical dental assistant will not wish to participate in
substandard care or unlawful practices that may be harmful to patients