Dental EthicsSlide 2Learning ObjectivesSlide 4IntroductionSlide 6Slide 7Basic Principles of EthicsExamples of Ethical PrinciplesExamples of Unethical BehaviorConfidentialityFig. 4-1 Patients have the right to expect that their conversations in the dental office will be kept confidential.Professional Codes of EthicsReasons for a Code of EthicsThe Difference Between Ethics and LawSlide 16Solving Ethical DilemmasLegal and Ethical ImplicationsEthical Decision-MakingSlide 20Dental EthicsDental EthicsChapter 4Chapter 4Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Chapter 4Chapter 4Lesson 4.1Lesson 4.1Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Learning ObjectivesLearning ObjectivesPronounce, define, and spell the Key Terms.Pronounce, define, and spell the Key Terms.Explain the difference between being legal Explain the difference between being legal and being ethical.and being ethical.Explain and give examples of the basic Explain and give examples of the basic principles of ethics.principles of ethics.Discuss the American Dental Assistants Discuss the American Dental Assistants Association Code of Ethics.Association Code of Ethics.(Cont’d)(Cont’d)Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives(Cont’d)(Cont’d)Give examples of personal ethics and Give examples of personal ethics and unethical behaviors.unethical behaviors.Give examples of ethical dilemmas for each Give examples of ethical dilemmas for each principle of ethics.principle of ethics.Develop case studies involving ethical Develop case studies involving ethical dilemmas.dilemmas.Describe the steps of ethical decision-Describe the steps of ethical decision-making.making.Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.IntroductionIntroductionDentistry is a profession different from Dentistry is a profession different from general businesses. general businesses. As a professional dental assistant, you are As a professional dental assistant, you are bound by an ethical code of conduct.bound by an ethical code of conduct.(Cont’d)(Cont’d)Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.IntroductionIntroduction(Cont’d)(Cont’d)Ethics deals with moral conduct (right and Ethics deals with moral conduct (right and wrong behavior) and good and evil. wrong behavior) and good and evil. Ethics includes values, high standards of Ethics includes values, high standards of conduct, and professional and personal conduct, and professional and personal obligations in interacting with each other. obligations in interacting with each other. These qualities are important to us as dental These qualities are important to us as dental healthcare professionals, as we provide healthcare professionals, as we provide dental care to our patients. dental care to our patients. (Cont’d)(Cont’d)Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.IntroductionIntroduction(Cont’d)(Cont’d)Ethics seeks to answer two basic questions:Ethics seeks to answer two basic questions:What should I do?What should I do?Why should I do it?Why should I do it?Ethics refers to what you should do, not what Ethics refers to what you should do, not what you must do. The law deals with what you you must do. The law deals with what you must do.must do.Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Basic Principles of EthicsBasic Principles of EthicsA regard for self-determination A regard for self-determination (autonomy) includes the right to privacy, (autonomy) includes the right to privacy, freedom of choice, and the acceptance freedom of choice, and the acceptance of responsibility for one’s own actions. of responsibility for one’s own actions. A regard for justice involves treating A regard for justice involves treating people fairly and giving them what they people fairly and giving them what they deserve and are entitled to receive.deserve and are entitled to receive.Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Examples of Ethical PrinciplesExamples of Ethical PrinciplesInforming a sales clerk that he or she has Informing a sales clerk that he or she has undercharged you for an item (principle of undercharged you for an item (principle of justice)justice)Admitting that you have made a serious error Admitting that you have made a serious error (principle of autonomy)(principle of autonomy)Helping a fellow student study (principle of Helping a fellow student study (principle of well-being)well-being)Refusing to gossip about a fellow student Refusing to gossip about a fellow student (principle of doing no harm)(principle of doing no harm)Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Examples of Unethical Behavior Examples of Unethical Behavior Charging the patient for a full set of x-rays Charging the patient for a full set of x-rays when only six films were taken (principle of when only six films were taken (principle of justice)justice)Pressuring a classmate into a decision Pressuring a classmate into a decision (principle of autonomy)(principle of autonomy)Refusing to help a classmate learn (principle Refusing to help a classmate learn (principle of well-being)of well-being)Harming another person by repeating gossip Harming another person by repeating gossip about him or her (principle of doing no harm)about him or her (principle of doing no harm)Copyright © 2009, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.ConfidentialityConfidentialityConfidentiality is a very important issue in the Confidentiality is a very important issue in the health profession.health profession.Healthcare professionals have an obligation to Healthcare professionals have an obligation to respect the patient’s privacy.respect the patient’s privacy.However, conflicts involving the principle of However, conflicts involving the principle of confidentiality, such as in reporting suspected confidentiality, such as in reporting suspected child or elder abuse, will arise.child or elder abuse, will arise.Sometimes the patient’s right to confidentiality Sometimes the patient’s right to confidentiality