Ethical Decision Making for the Dental Hygienist

1. Chelsea Huntington, RDH, BS Student Teaching Internship- MSDH University of Bridgeport Fones School of Dental Hygiene The Code of Ethics and Ethical Analysis Beemsterboer CH 5 and 6 Ethical Decision Making for the Dental Hygienist

2. Outline of Todays Lesson • Define • Ethics • Professional Codes of Ethics In Healthcare. • Review • Dental Hygiene Code of Ethics. • Ethical Responsibility • Ethical Dilemmas for the Dental Hygienist • Define • Ethical Dilemma • Explain • 6 Step Ethical Decision Making Model • Demonstrate • Problem Solving and Ethical Decision Making Process

3. Ethics • General standards of right and wrong that guide behavior within society. They can be judged by determining the extent to which they promote good and minimize harm. • Ethics compel us to engage in health promotion/disease prevention activities.

4. Professional Codes in Healthcare • Guide for members to maintain and uphold important standards of behavior and care. • Contract the profession makes with society outlining the standards it will adhere to. • Binds the members of the group together by expressing common goals and aspirations. • An essential characteristic of a TRUE PROFESSION. (Beemsterboer CH 5)

5. How do we know if code of ethics are effective? • 1. Professional health care schools screen candidates for admission into their programs based not only on academic ability but good moral character and integrity. • 2. It is assumed each student until proven otherwise has traits to be a true professional. • 3. After entering professional practice it is the obligation of those professionals to regulate their profession. Beemsterboer Ch 5, pg 66.

7. The Dental Hygiene Code Has Seven Components • Preamble • Purpose • Key Concepts • Basic Beliefs • Fundamental Principles • Core Values • Standards of Professional Responsibility Beemsterboer Ch 5, pg 75, Appendix 5-1.

8. Fundamental Principles & Core Values

9. Fundamental Principles & Core Values

10. Fundamental Principles & Core Values

11. Standards of Professional Responsibility

12. Being Ethical is a Responsibility • What happens if you can’t meet your responsibility? • What is a dilemma? • It is an ethical problem. • It is predicament, perplexity, doubt • How can you move through predicament, perplexity, and doubt?

13. Ethical Dilemmas for the Dental Hygienist • Substandard care • Overtreatment • Scope of Practice • Fraud • Confidentiality • Impaired Professional • Sexual Harassment • Abuse Beemsterboer Ch6, pg 90

15. Conditions That Effect Ethical Decisions • Economic • Social • Political • Legal

16. Levels of Ethical Awareness BeemsterboerCH 6- pg, 85.

17. Learning Ethical Decision Making: The Ethical Decision Making Model • Some decisions are simple- right vs. wrong, whereas others may be ethical dilemmas. • Ethical decision making models suggest a mechanism for critical thinking and resolution of a problem. • Darby Model (Seven Steps) Ethical Awareness separated • Beemsterboer Model (Six Steps) Ethical awareness integrated Beemsterboer Ch 6, pg 86

18. ModelSix Step • 1. Define the problem or conflict, identify if this is an ethical issue/dilemma. • 2. Collect information, including the values of all parties. • 3. Identify/ state the alterative options. • 4. Apply the ethical principle to the options (look at code of ethics) • 5. Establish an ethical position (justify and defend alternative). Make the decision. State your decision. • 6. Act or implement the ethical decision. Beemsterboer Ch6, pg 88

20. In Class Exercise“Problem Solving”Groups of 3 • Read Ethical Case Study # 4, (Pg 172) • Use six step model- Worksheet (Handout) • Use code of ethics – CH 5 • Solve dilemma (Make sure to justify using the six parts of the code) • Someone keep track by taking notes • Pass in notes at end of exercise with team members names on the worksheet.