of Ethics Online Collection: None
American Dental Hygienists’ Association’s Policy Manual
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 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 professions.
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.
Principles [11-74]The American Dental Hygienists' Association supports the availability of preventive programs and emergency dental care to all people.
Care to All [6-79]The American Dental Hygienists' Association vigorously supports the principle that opportunities for employment and availability of health care services and educational opportunities should exist for all people regardless of race, age, creed, sex and cultural heritage.
Nondiscrimination [20-21-71]The American Dental Hygienists' Association supports that candidates for dental hygiene licensure should be evaluated on the basis of professional ability, knowledge and skill without regard to race, creed, color, age, sex or cultural heritage and without discrimination by intent or method.
Nondiscrimination [15-73]The American Dental Hygienists' Association supports those efforts which lead to the ultimate goal of increasing minority representation in the profession of dental hygiene.
Minorities [28-73]The American Dental Hygienists' Association supports inclusion of nondiscrimination clauses in all contracts awarded by federal agencies and private foundations.
Nondiscrimination [19-71]The American Dental Hygienists' Association believes that dental hygienists, as health care professionals, are responsible for reporting suspected cases of child abuse to the proper authorities.
Child Abuse [25-82]The American Dental Hygienists' Association believes that dental hygienists are ethically and morally responsible to provide dental hygiene care to all patients including those who may have or have been exposed to infectious diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis B, utilizing nationally accepted infection control and barrier techniques.
AIDS [2-88]The American Dental Hygienists' Association opposes all forms of economic coercion or threats of economic sanctions against business or individuals resulting from professional differences of opinion with respect to legislative and regulatory issues concerning the availability and accessibility of quality, cost-effective oral health care.
Economic Coercion [29-87]
