Self Assessment for Ethics

Read each of the following situations carefully, and for each, identify the ethical principle that has been violated.

1.	You are employed as a dental hygienist in a large goup practice in Toronto. A new client Ms. Earl, has presented to the office and following a thorough assessment has been diagnosed with moderately advanced chronic periodontal disease .Ms. Earl has been scheduled for quadrant debridement under local anesthesia. At the first debridement appointment you review the information with the client and outline her role in the therapy. As Ms. Earl is a single mother supporting two children you do not mention treatment with a specialist since you are sure she cannot afford it.

2.	Fifteen minutes into his supportive periodontal appointment, Mr.Sans , an older client with a health history including mitral valve prolapse, stops you and asked, " Do I not need premedication this time?" In your haste to begin, you have not reviewed the chart and the receptionist has also failed to place an alert on Mr. Sans' record. You decide at this time to continue with the debridement and assure Mr. Sans that the bleeding is minimal and therefore risk of health complications are nil.

3.	You have recently moved to Presville , a small town where dental personnel are in short supply. Soon after you begin working for Dr. Model as his only dental hygienist, you realize that his assistant, Miss Able, is performing scaling procedures on child patients. You decide not to challenge Dr. Model on this issue because it would create conflict in the office and could threaten your job security.