Introduce by Hippocrates in 460-377BC

Based on "Do No Harm"

Still used today

1. Preamble
2. Purpose
3. Key Concepts
4. Basic Beliefs
5. Fundamental Priciples
6. Core Values
7. Standards of Professional

• Achieve high levels of ethical consciousness
• Achieve high levels of decision making
• Influence us throughout our career

• The beliefs
• Principles
• Values
• Interrelated and mutually dependent

1. Autonomy
2. Confidentiality
3. Societal trust
4. Nonmaleficence
5. Beneficence
6. Justice
7. Veracity

Autonomy = To guarantee self –determination of the patient

“People have the right to be treated with respect. They have the right to informed consent prior to treatment, and they have the right to full disclosure of all relevant information so that they can make informed choices about their care.”

• Confidentiality: To hold in confidence or secret information entrusted by the patient
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA)

• Societal Trust: To ensure the trust that patients and society have in dental hygienists
• “We value client trust and understand that public trust in our profession is based on our actions and behavior”

What does nonmaleficence mean and give an example?

• Nonmaleficence: To do no harm to the patient
• “We accept our fundamental obligation to provide services in a manner that protects all clients and minimizes harm to them and others involved in their treatment”

• Justice: To be fair to the patient; fairness
• “We value justice and support the fair and equitable distribution of health care resources. We believe all people should have access to high-quality, affordable oral health care”

• Veracity: To tell the truth; not to lie to the patient
• “We accept our obligation to tell the truth and assume that others will do the same. We value self-knowledge and seek truth and honesty in all relationships”

• Fidelity = faithful to promises and obligations
• Not listed specifically in ADHA Code of Ethics – but implied with trust and veracity

• Paternalism and Parentalism: acting like a father or a parent that knows what is best for the patient; making a decision for the patient
• Becomes a problem when patient is a competent adult

• Utility: Usefulness of and action; underlies the theory of utilitarianism (encompasses beneficence and nonmaleficence but goes beyond them)
• The principle imposes a social duty on us all to use our resources to do as much good as possible.

To benefit the patien and play a primary role in promoting the well being of individuals and the public by engaging in health promotion/ disease prevention activities”

Becomes a problem when patient is a competent adult