Core values guide different professionals helping them to better fulfill their roles, and dentists are no exception (ACD, 2016). Codes of ethics outlined by professional organizations help to guide members of dental hygiene profession in situations where they experience ethical dilemmas pertinent to the behavior at work or work-related circumstances. Demonstration of adherence to a code of ethics indicates devotion to high standards of professional practice (ACD, 2016).
Upon reviewing ACD, ADA, and ADHA ethics guidelines, it becomes clear that they differ in statutory force, content and structure. While some differences are minor other are quite substantial. Nonetheless, the core principles on which these codes are based remain the same throughout the three guidelines. Even though ACD handbook, unlike ADA and ADHA, does not mention the principle of veracity as one of the key elements of dental practice, it, nonetheless, refers to beneficence (ACD, 2016). Taking into consideration the fact that both the principle of veracity and the principle of beneficence are concerned with balancing harms and benefits to patients’ health and seeking the truth, it could be argued that they represent the same approach to creating a comprehensive guidance system for dentists. The associations issuing codes of conduct for the dental profession firmly believe that dental hygiene profession has to be guided by a set of standards helping to hold it accountable for behavior and practices of its members (ACD, 2016). The organizations such as ACD, ADA, and ADHA believe in the notion of accountability and are driven by the principle of self-regulation. They all agree that “dentists should possess not only knowledge, skill, and technical competence but also those traits of character that foster adherence to ethical principles” (ADA, 2016, p. 4).
Therefore, professional associations go to great lengths to ensure that dental codes of ethics developed by them are clear and precise (ACD, 2016). However, the process of development, review, and revision of codes influences their application. It means that content and structure of codes varies from one to another. For example, the code of ethics issued by ADHA lists the following core values: individual autonomy and respect for human beings, confidentiality, societal trust, non-maleficence, beneficence, justice and fairness, and veracity (ADHA, 2016). ADA, on the other hand, provides only five principles of dental ethics: patient autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, justice and veracity (ADA, 2016). Code of ethics issued by ACD lists even fewer core principles: regard for self-determination, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice (ACD, 2016). However, even though ADHA code of ethics contains more standards of professional responsibility in the realm of ethics, it is not more comprehensive than ACD and ADA codes. It could be argued that the guideline issued by ADA is more inclusive than others because in addition to focusing on five principles of ethics it also covers a wide range of issues such as the use of auxiliary personnel, patents and copyright, marketing, and dentists leaving practice among others. Nonetheless, it cannot be said that one code of ethics is better than the other. ACD, ADA, and ADHA codes have been issued by discipline-specific associations that have gone to great lengths to make sure they help dentists act with integrity, professionalism, and respect. All codes describe the expectations that practitioners should have of themselves as well as other members of dental hygiene profession.
References
ACD. (2016). Ethics handbook for dentists: An introduction to ethics, professionalism, and ethical decision making. Web.
ADA. (2016). Principles of ethics & code of professional conduct. Web.
ADHA. (2016). Bylaws & code of ethics. Web.