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Chapter 4
Dental Ethics
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA).
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Produced in the United States of America
ISBN 0-7216-9770-4
Introduction
Dentistry is a profession, which means it is
different from general businesses.
As a professional dental assistant, you are bound
by an ethical code of conduct that is above and
beyond codes that apply to a nonprofessional.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Introduction- cont’d
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Ethics deals with moral conduct (right and wrong
behavior), and good and evil.
Ethics includes the values, high standards of
conduct, and professional and personal obligations
in interacting with each other.
As dental health care professionals, these qualities
are important to us as we provide dental care to
our patients.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Introduction- cont’d
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Ethics seeks to answer two basic questions:
• What should I do?
• Why should I do it?
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Ethics refers to what you should do, not what you
must do. The law deals with what you must do.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Basic Principles of Ethics
 A regard for self-determination (autonomy)
includes the right to privacy, freedom of choice, and
the acceptance of responsibility for one’s own
actions.
 A regard for justice involves treating people fairly
and giving people what they deserve and are
entitled to receive.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Examples of Ethical Principles
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Informing the sales clerk that he or she
undercharged you for an item (principle of justice).
Admitting that you made a serious error (principle
of autonomy).
Helping a fellow student studying (principle of
well-being).
Refusing to participate in gossip about a fellow
student (principle of doing no harm).
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
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).
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Professional Code of Ethics
 All the major professions (e.g., dental, medical,
legal) have a written code of ethics.
 These are voluntary standards of behavior, not
laws, and they serve as a method of self-policing
within a profession.
 The code of ethics of most professions has been
revised on several occasions to keep it consistent
with the times, but there has never been a change
in the moral intent or overall idealism.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Reasons for a Code of Ethics
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To demonstrate to the public the standard of
conduct it can expect 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.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Difference Between Ethics and Law
 Legal issues are settled by using laws and court
decisions. Ethical issues are subject to individual
interpretation as to the right or wrong of particular
situations.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Difference Between Ethics and Law- cont’d
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Laws are very specific and are written by people
with the authority to write laws.
The law is often referred to as being “black and
white,” “right or wrong.”
Ethics are less specific and have more gray areas.
Ethics are the conscience of the profession.
Laws set the minimum standard of behavior; ethics
set the highest standard of behavior.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Fig. 4-1 Dental ethics.
Fig. 4-1
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Solving Ethical Dilemmas
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Step 1: Identify the alternatives.
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Step 2: Determine what is at stake.
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Step 3: Rank the alternatives.
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Step 4: Choose a course of action.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Legal and Ethical Implications
 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 there are violations of ethical
conduct, you must make some decisions.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Ethical Decision-Making
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Do you wish to remain under these circumstances?
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Should you seek other employment?
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If you remain, will it affect you in the future with
other employers?
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Ethical Decision-Making- cont’d
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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 of the dentist or to attempt 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.
Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.