Dental Hygienist Dilemma - Case Study Example

Dental Hygienist Dilemma Ethics refers to the basic fundamental and concepts principles of appropriate human behavior. It comprises study of general values like the essential parity of all women and men, natural or human rights, conformity land’s law, concern for safety and health and the physical environment. Ethics denotes to the well-founded canons of wrong and right that propose what humans should do, typically in terms of obligations, rights, and benefits to community, impartiality, or specific morals (Wilkin 22). Ethics, for instance, denotes to those canons that enforce the rational obligations to desist from rape, murder, stealing, assault, fraud and slander. Ethical values also comprise those, which enjoin morals of honesty, loyalty and compassion. In addition, ethical standards comprise standards linking to privileges, for instance, the right to existence, the right to liberty from injury, as well as the right to discretion. Such values are adequate canons of ethics since they are reinforced by coherent and logical reasons. Ethical dilemmas are very widespread in current’s healthcare and it often encompasses beyond the frontiers of age, gender, race and culture (Wilkin 23). Dilemma cannot be solved easily and it is more apparent when no standard alternatives are obtained. Mostly dilemma produces extremely painful and distressful circumstances to the persons who are concerned. Dental hygienists have a duty to their patients, to tell the truth at all, to treat them with respect and most it all to adhere to the overall ADHA code of ethics. In this paper, I will examine dental hygienist with an unethical conduct using the Kolb’s model of experiential learning. Concrete Experience I have been working as a dental hygienist in Johnsons Dental hospital for a very long time. Ever since I started working at the hospital, we have always had new dental hygienist being recruited. The latest one being Sheila. Sheila seems like a good person, she has been working very hard. She also has good interpersonal skills and she always meets deadlines. Everyone in the team seems to like her. Since we work together, we have grown into such good friends, besides we are always together. Lately, I noticed something about her behavior that is inappropriate. Sheila has been charging patients for extra products as well as procedures. Sheila has been tricking patients into taking unnecessary procedures and products to pay for. The experience with Sheila was a learning experience for others and me in the dental team. There were repercussions such as we could all lose our jobs; the establishment could lose patients and credibility (Wilkin 32). Reflective Observation I understand that Sheila needed to make extra money. As a new recruit, there is a possibility that she did not have any money to keep her going until the end month pay. It has been tough for me to come to terms with the situation as her friend and a colleague. I watched her continue hoaxing the patients. I considered talking to her. I also considered talking to the team leader about the issue. However, reflecting on another ethical situation, which saw an employee of the organization fired, I decided to talk to Sheila first concerning her behavior. Abstract conceptualization As a professional dental hygienist, I know I have a responsibility to patients and the organization. I believe in respect for human beings, and that means that my patients have a right to know the truth and should not be subject to fraud. Sheila behavior is against all that I believe in. Sheila has been committing fraud, which is a serious crime. I believe in societal trust where the patients trust our profession based on our deeds and conducts. Sheila’s behavior of tricking patients into buying unnecessary products can lead to deleterious impacts such as loss of clients’ trust in the team. The theory of deontology insists on having positive attitude while doing what is moral. Sheila’s behavior is not just and fair and I believe that everyone should be treated fairly and justly, regardless of whom they are or the situations we are in. Beneficence is a code that demands professional dental hygienist act in a manner, which benefits patients on moral foundations. The three rudiments of this code include advocating for good, deterrence of harm, and riddance of harm. Consequentialism theory insists on doing the right thing that maximizes the good while the theory of Aristotelianism insists on acquiring good practices (Wilkin 36). Active experimentation I believe that unethical conducts must be dealt with the instance they arise. I advocate that all personnel must adhere to the code of ethics, and the organization should communicate effectively concerning its code of ethics. In case of an ethical situation, the first thing would be conversing with persons involved as well as the team leader(Kolb 45). I have learnt that unethical conducts can put a team into jeopardy, and it should be dealt with the moment it arises. I advocate talking to the persons with unethical behavior. If talking to them does not work, then one can involve the team leaders. I would put the interest of the team and the organization first. Tackling the issue is more rational than ignoring it since it affects everyone including the organization (Wilkin 37). Conclusion Dental hygienists have a responsibility to the wellbeing of their patients. Sheila’s conduct towards the clients was unethical and immoral. She violated ADHA code of ethics. Dental hygienists have a duty to tell the truth to the patients and they should not hoax patients to benefit themselves. Unethical behavior in an organization can result in so many problems. Principally, the patients will lose faith in the dental team and the organization as well. The team could also lose focus and trust in one another. Overall, the organization could lose potential clients. The lesson learnt from the experience is that unethical behavior must be reported to the team leader and dealt with accordingly. Inappropriate behavior within a work place can be damaging to the organization. To avoid unethical behavior, the organization should put in place effective communication channels concerning code of ethics. The organization should advocate for strict adherence to the code of ethics too (Wilkin 34). Bibliography Kolb, David A. Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Prentice Hall, 2007. Print. Wilkin, Esther. Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2012. Print. Read More