Dental codes and Codes of ethics discussion - Assignment Example

Ethic Discussion Ethic Discussion Why the Dental Profession Would Appear To Have More Than One Set of Core Values The dental profession would appear to have more than one set of core values because the different bodies affiliated to the profession seem to provide varied sets of core values. For example, the code of professional conduct provided by the American Dentists Association (ADA), is underpinned by five fundamental principles representative of the core values of the profession including justice, nonmaleficence, patient autonomy, beneficence and veracity (American Dental Association, 2013).

On the other hand, the American College of Dentists (ACD), recognizes additional core values to those provided by ADA such as compassion, integrity, competence, professionalism and tolerance (American College of Dentists, 1996). This implies that dentists relying on the ADA dentists’ professional code of conduct may not be aware of the additional important core values that they need to observe during their practice. In this case, some dentists may choose to ignore some of the values such as showing compassion to patients, maintenance of integrity and tolerance.

These differences in core values may create differences in the understanding of the professional requirements among the dentists. Although the key ethical principles identified by ADA and ADHA may capture most the ethical issues likely to arise in the process of delivering dental care, additional core values identified by ACD can be ignored because they contribute immensely in determining how dentists conduct themselves (American Dental Hygienists Association, 2008). The ACD core of values is the most comprehensive of the three with more core values and explanation on what is expected of the dentistry profession.

In conclusion, these differences call for the need to have a consensus in the core of values of the dentistry profession. Code of Ethics Organizations are compelled to explicitly articulate values that place a strong emphasis on ethical behavior which they achieve by drafting a code of ethics, a formal statement of the ethical priorities that all professionals within the organizations must adhere to (Condrey, 2010). However, some organizations may fail to establish a specific code of ethic due to lack of perceived need to duplicate the regulations of behavior already covered by the jurisdiction of state ethics.

In this case, this most states have codes of ethics for all professionals in place, lack of a code of ethics in a profession or organization does not imply that those professionals cannot upload the expected behavior standards in a given state. The behavior or conduct by professions lacking a specific code of ethics to guide their action is regulated by the general state ethics code for workers (Condrey, 2010). Therefore, professionals working under such circumstances cannot afford to misbehave because their actions can be judged based on the states’ or universal code of conduct.

However, a code of ethics is necessary for every profession to address issues specific to a given profession. This is usually importance in eliminating misunderstanding and overlook of important issues that should be taken into account in a given profession. Every profession or business has an obligation to the society and expectations from the society hence such obligations and expectations should serve as a guideline to their actions and behavior in the absence of a specific code of ethics (Condrey, 2010).

A code of ethics can be enforced through education of the professionals on their expected behavior or conduct as well as holding individuals responsible for their behaviors or actions in a court of law or at the workplace. ReferencesAmerican College of Dentists. (1996). Core values & aspirational code of ethics. Retrieved from http://www.acd.org/aspirationalcode.htmAmerican Dental Association. (2013). ADA principles of ethics and code of professional conduct. American Dental Association. Retrieved from http://www.ada.org/194.

aspxAmerican Dental Hygienists Association. (2008). Standards for clinical dental hygiene practice. Retrieved from http://www.adha.org/resources-docs/7261_Standards_Clinical_Practice.pdfCondrey, S. (2010). Handbook of human resource management in government. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.