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

 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

 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.

 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)

 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.

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.

Complementarity Should be made with the best interest of the patient in mind. Considering values and perspectives of others. Autonomy and Confidentiality Protection of the patient’s personal information. The right to informed consent, relevant information and respect. Justice and Fairness Consider the “Patient Bill of Rights”. Value fair distribution of high quality health care.

Beneficence Place patients interest about you own Promoting “well being” and disease prevention activities. Nonmaleficence Be concerned for the patients welfare. Provide services that protects clients and minimizes harm. Veracity and Societal Trust Value self knowledge and be truthful in the evaluation of your own work Value patient trust and understand that our profession is based on our actions/ behavior.

Universality Provide highest standard of care. Judgment of right vs. wrong should be the same among others in the profession. Responsibility Accept our responsibility to make ethical choices. Accept our consequences of failure to make ethical decisions. Community Make bonds between individuals and society as a whole. Show concern for global environment.

To Ourselves as Individuals To Ourselves as Professionals To Colleagues, Employees and Employers To The Dental Hygiene Profession, The Community and Society To Family, Friends and Clients To Scientific Investigation/ Research

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?

1. Substandard care 2. Overtreatment 3. Scope of Practice 4. Fraud 5. Confidentiality 6. Impaired Professional 7. Sexual Harassment 8. Abuse Beemsterboer Ch6, pg 90

 Economic  Social  Political  Legal

Moral Weakness When responsibilities conflict with personal decisions. Moral Uncertainty Questions as to whether a moral obligation exists and to what degree. Moral Dilemma Obligations and or responsibilities are in conflict. BeemsterboerCH 6- pg, 85.

 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

 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

Collect Information State the Options Apply Ethical Principles to the Options Make the Decision Implement the Options Identify the Problem

 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.