Ethical Issues In Dental Hygiene

Code of Ethics
1. I have been in banking since 1999, which would lead you to believe that I would be writing a Code of Ethics paper on my current profession, however I am not. My chosen profession is Dental Hygiene, I have little knowledge of the profession except for my own personal experience with dental care and regular visits to the dentist. What drew me to this profession is first, it was not banking, and second my entire family has a background in some form of health service. Another aspect that drew me to the dental hygiene profession was my personal experience with my own hygienist, she seemed to really enjoy her profession. On my last visit, I was able to question her
In this section, I will explain five moral issues that are prevalent to the dental hygiene profession. The best way to define a moral issue is that it is a dilemma one is faced with where they must choose between right and wrong. A dental hygienist may be faced with a variety of moral issues. Common dilemmas include substandard care, patient overtreatment, confidentiality breaches, fraud, and even sexual harassment. Dentistry is usually performed solo or small group practices where it is the dentist that employs the dental hygienist. A dentist whom employs dental hygienists can place hygienists in difficult situations when inappropriate care or unethical practices are being observed, especially when the dentist-employer is involved. If the dentist is trying to cut corners in an effort for profit, a dental hygienist may be faced with the moral dilemma of substandard care or not offering the best care for the patient. Substandard care could include an unsafe patient environment, not using the best dental products or tools, improper dental exams. On the other hand, overtreatment of the patient, offering unnecessary treatments may take place in an effort to gain more profit. In breaches of confidentiality a patient’s medical history may be compromised if an employer/employee does not abide to patient confidentiality. In the instance where fraud is involved, it could be that the practice the dental hygienist works for is a part of a money laundering front, or there may even be
In conclusion, I have learned that although I have provided examples from the Code of Ethics for Dental hygienists, and it is providing standards for a profession in the oral healthcare field, I have noticed many similarities between this code and the one I have come to know in my banking profession. Although, in most instances banking would be considered a corporate code; or codes that are handed down from management. Banking still maintains that you need to provide a safe work environment, provide the best service to clients, be respectful of others, all forms of harassment and fraud are prohibited, and it is just the difference in profession. To be honest, you could probably adhere to this same code in any profession by just changing some words. With that being said, I mentioned that this was more than likely a general code of ethics ensuring that individuals that choose the dental hygienist profession have standards that can be met by all. It is the responsibility of the dentist-employer to provide their dental hygienists a more specific guideline or ethical standard. A code of ethics you can build from if an employer chooses to. In either profession, you will be faced with many moral issues and need to follow the appropriate steps to come to the right ethical