Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions at IIT

1985

(NOTE: These Standards are not current,
and Clinical Guidelines are currently being revised--2005)

PREAMBLE

The Standards apply to clinical dental hygiene practice without regard 10 the specific type of clinical practice or the years of experience by the individual practitioner. They are stated in general terms to allow application in a variety of situations. The Standards serve as a basis for comparison, are recognized by common consent, and established by the profession.

The Standards serve a number of purposes. In addition to guiding clinical dental hygiene practice, the Standards may provide guidelines to educators in establishing goals for clinical education in undergraduate and continuing education programs. Most important, the Standards serve as the foundation for competence assurance and professional development programs. Each Standard is delineated by a number of components which provide a framework for measuring the quality of dental hygiene cam provided.

The Standards do not in themselves measure dental hygiene performance. Evaluation instruments may be developed according to the particular needs and the purposes of the user. The Components of each Standard clarify the responsibilities of the dental hygienist to self. patients/clients, colleagues and employers. The Standards also provide consumers with information about quality dental hygiene care.

These Standards are the profession's consensus on the current art of dental hygiene clinical practice. They have been developed with input from clinical dental hygienists and other experts in the profession. It is understood that the Standards must remain flexible and amenable to revision and expansion as experience is gained with their use.

It is the legal, rnoral and ethical responsibility of each dental hygiene professional to be adequately educated and licensed prior to providing any dental hygiene treatment permitted by a stale practice act. These Standards do not alter these responsibilities in any manner. The Standards of Applied Dental Hygiene Practice neither represent a legal basis for practice nor are intended to modify existing laws with regard to malpractice or negligence.

The Standards of Applied Dental Hygiene Practice are the profession's recognition of quality dental hygiene treatment and care for each member of the public we are committed to serve.

STANDARDS

ASSESSMENT

Standard I
Data on the general and oral health status of the patient are collected systematically, recorded accurately, and communicated and updated continuously using methods consistent with medicolegal principles.

Standard 2
The patient data are analyzed and a dental hygiene diagnosis is formulated.

PLANNING

Standard 3
The dental hygiene treatment plan is derived from the dental hygiene diagnosis and includes goals, priorities, dental hygiene procedures and patient action.

IMPLEMENTATION

Standard 4
The dental hygiene treatment includes preventive and therapeutic procedures to promote and maintain oral health, and procedures to prevent or control disease or patient problems and assist the patient in achieving oral health goals.

Standard 5
Oral health education assists dental hygiene patients in assuming responsibility for their oral health and in attaining oral health goals.

EVALUATION

Standard 6
The patient's attainment of oral health goals is evaluated by the dental hygienist and patient. Based on this mutual evaluation, the plan for dental hygiene care is implemented.

COMPONENTS

Components to the Standards of Applied Dental Hygiene Practice have been developed to assist in measuring the quality of dental hygiene care. They provide a frame of reference for the public and the profession. The components identify areas of responsibility and clarify the needs and purposes of the user.

Standard I

1. Data on health status are comprehensive and include information on the patient's general health, oral health, behavioral patterns, environment, and cultural, religious, and socioeconomic background.
2. Data are collected from the patient and/or family.
3. Health professionals are consulted as indicated.

Standard 2

1. The patient's general health status is analyzed to assess its relationship to oral health status and dental hygiene care.
2. The patient's oral health status is analyzed in relation to accepted standards of practice and the degree of deviation is identified.
3. Limitations to achieving optimum oral health are identified.
4. The dental hygiene diagnosis is related to and congruent with the diagnoses of dentists and other health professionals.

Standard 3

1 . Goals are set with the patient and/or family to maximize potential and are congruent with other planned dental treatment and oral/general health status.
2. The dental hygiene treatment plan is: a sequence of procedures; consultation and referral of treatment when indicated; the optimal type and amount of treatment included at each appointment; and measures (0 prevent or control specific patient problems.
3. The dental hygiene treatment plan is based on current scientific information, requirements for a functional healthy oral cavity, oral health goals of the patient, patient's responsibility for self-care, and (he integration of dental hygiene care with other dental care.
4. Priorities are formulated on the basis of the extent and severity of patient needs and are congruent with other planned dental/general health cam.
5. An explanation to the patient and/or significant others includes the rationale, nature and prognosis of the recommended dental hygiene care. Alternate treatment plans, potential results of nontreatment, and potential risks involved in treatment are discussed.

Standard 4

1. The Patient's general and oral health data are used throughout dental hygiene care to aid in selecting and modifying procedures.
2. Consideration is given to the effect of specific procedures on contiguous tissues and the patient's general health and well-being throughout dental hygiene care.
3. The patient, and family if appropriate, in addition to relevant health professionals are informed of the progress and results of dental hygiene care and self-care.
4. The patient, and family if appropriate, are provided with information regarding promoting, maintaining or restoring oral health.

Standard 5

1 . An oral health education plan:

 

• is developed on the basis of the dental hygiene diagnosis.
• is related to (he patient's motivational needs, physical limitations, environ ment, lifestyle and culture.
• is comprehensive and an integral part of the dental hygiene treatment plan and reflects a total body wellness philosophy.
• reinforces the patient , s responsibility for their oral health.
• involves the patient in establishing goals for self-care, and assessing their attainment.

2. The effectiveness of oral health education is evaluated. Educational methods and self-care goals and techniques are revised as indicated.

Standard 6

1. Patient data related to the attainment of oral health goals is continuously evaluated by the dental hygienist and patient.
2. Dental hygiene care is analyzed for its effectiveness in attaining treatment and education goals.
3. New priorities and goals are established and additional dental hygiene care and patient self-care are identified and carried out when indicated.

Principles of Ethics*

Each member of the American Dental Hygienists' Association has the ethical obligation to subscribe to the following principles:

• To provide oral health care utilizing highest professional knowledge, judgment and ability.
• To serve all patients without discrimination. To hold professional patient relationships in confidence.
• To utilize every opportunity to increase public understanding of oral health practices.
• To generate public confidence in members of the dental health profession.
• To cooperate with all health professions in meeting the health needs of the public.
• To recognize and uphold the laws and regulations governing this profession.
• To participate responsibly in this professional Association and uphold its purpose.
• To maintain professional competence through continuing education. To exchange professional knowledge with other health professions. To represent dental hygiene with high standards of personal conduct.

*Reprinted with permission of the American Dental Hygienists' Association.