Code of Ethics: Professional Standards and Obligations

• A Code of Ethics is a set of guidelines that address the ethical standards of a professional group for self-regulation.

Professional Code

• These are written standards detailing the responsibilities of a particular group.
• A professional code defines acceptable and expected behaviors within a group.
• It serves as a contract outlining the standards a profession will uphold with society.
• These codes are used to aid and uphold professionals to their standards.

Obligations

• This is the duty to conform to a rule or custom

Hippocratic Oath

• This is the foundation for most ethical codes in healthcare.

Professional Autonomy

• A professional is not obligated to provide care if it involves unethical services

Code of Ethics Importance

• An essential characteristic of a true profession is the code of ethics.
• Ethical codes address personal integrity, dedication, and principled behavior.
• They shape behavior through integrity, character screening, virtues introduction, and professional obligation.

History

• The Hippocratic Oath was the first ethical code.
• The first dental hygiene code of ethics was created in 1927 by ADHA, with the current revision in 1995.

Code of Ethics Emphasis

• Duties in the individual patient-physician relationship, such as confidentiality
• Authority and duty of beneficence
• Obligation to each other

Code of Ethics as a Mandate

• It is not a legal mandate.
• It holds professionals to a higher standard than the law.

Code of Ethics Functions

• Provides an enforceable standard of minimally decent conduct.
• Indicates ethical considerations for professional decision-making.
• Aids in self-regulation.
• A limitation is that not every situation can be fully addressed or explained.

ADHA and ADA

• The ADHA maintains and monitors the DH code of ethics.
• The DH code of ethics can be amended with a 2/3 vote by the House of Delegates.
• The ADA maintains the ADA code of ethics.
• The ADA code of ethics includes principles of ethics, code of professional conduct, and advisory opinions.
• The ADA code of ethics lacks confidentiality and societal trust, which the ADHA includes.

ADHA Code of Ethics Components

• Beneficence
• Nonmaleficence
• Autonomy
• Veracity
• Justice
• Societal Trust
• Confidentiality

ADHA Code of Ethics Preamble

• Disease prevention and health promotion are key points.
• Services provided include therapeutic, educational, and clinical aspects.
• Professionals serve themselves, their profession, and society.

ADHA Code of Ethics Objectives

• Increase professional and ethical consciousness and sense of ethical responsibility.
• Recognize ethical issues and choices to guide informed ethical decisions.
• Establish a standard for professional judgment and conduct.
• Provide a statement of the ethical behavior the public can expect.

ADA Code of Ethics Concepts

• Beliefs
• Principles
• Values
• Ethics

Fundamental Principles

• Universality: Being judged by what similar providers would do in the same situation.
• Complimentarity: Doing what's best for patients, not for oneself.
• Ethics: Promoting good and doing no harm, guiding decision-making.
• Community: Showing concern for the global environment.
• Responsibility: Accepting consequences and choosing actions one can be proud of.

Standards of Professional Responsibilities

• To oneself as an individual
• To oneself as a professional
• To family and friends
• To clients/patients
• To colleagues
• To employees and employers
• To the DH profession
• To the community and society
• To scientific investigation