Dental Assisting: Code of Ethics, Responsibilities, and Case Studies

Running head: DENTAL ASSISTING
DENTAL ASSISTING
Name of the Student
Name of the university
Author’s note

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Part 1
1. Definition of the code of ethics as it applies in dental assistant?
As per the dental assistant professional association (DAPA), all the dental assistant should abide
by these minimum codes-
 Fostering the aims and the objectives of the association and maintenance of the
association standards
 Maintaining honesty, loyalty and diplomacy
 Cooperating with the employees and showing initiatives and the capability required to
serve all the patients.
 Working in a collaborative manner with all the health care professionals.
 Addressing the needs of the patients, exercising courtesy, kindness and consideration
irrespective of the religion, origin and the cultural beliefs.
 Maintenance of a safe and effective care environment.
 Enhancing one’s own professional knowledge and competence by indulging in life long
learning.
 Maintenance of confidentiality and privacy of all the patient’s information unless
required by law.
 Not advising any treatment to patients that require professional dental supervision.
2. How many aspect make up the dental assistant codes of ethics?
There are 12 elements making up the dental assistant codes of ethics.
3. Difference between ethical and legal responsibility?

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Legal responsibilities are set forth by the government. Breaching of the legal standards might
cause filing of law suit against the accused and can cause cancellation of the licensure. One
such example, is missing informed consent. Any kind of dental treatment without seeking
consent from the patient might lead to the breaching of the legal standards.
Ethical standards on the other hand does not have any legal basis and are mainly based on the
principles of right or wrong. It is actually the ability to recognize and act upon the ethical values
as per the standard within a given context. Ethical responsibility can be referred to as the
responsibility to follow the codes of ethics of the dental assistants. It the choice of an individual
to follow the ethics or not.
4. At first, I should approach Anne and explain to her about the decorum of the workplace.
If Anne found any objectionable behavior of any dentist, then she might escalate the
matter to her senior or to the higher authority. Anne’s habit of gossiping about
organizational conflict should be stopped immediately as this would demotivate the other
employees and will spoil the work environment.
5. Anxiety is often closely associated to painful stimulus and increased perception of pain.
Treating anxious patients can be quite stressful for the dentists. A substantial population
of people suffer from dental phobia. As per the dental assistant codes of ethics, the dental
assistants are accountable to respond to the needs of the patients. In case, the patient is
anxious, it is necessary to provide him with psychological support and assure him, that he
will be provided with sufficient care. Targeted motivation, self-activation and targeted
coping strategies can be helpful for managing patients suffering from anxiety. It is
necessary to explore the cause the anxiety and would try to address them as soon as