For new patients, personal details, reason for participation and medical and dental history are easily recorded by completing a medical history form, such as the British Dental Association (BDA) confidential medical history form, prior to the first home visit. During this visit, it would be evaluated, signed and dated by the dentist and included in the patient`s file. Clinical details of the visit and subsequent visits are recorded in a dental record and kept on file. All details regarding past and present illnesses and other medical issues should be updated regularly, ideally at each reminder appointment such as a full turnaround time and updating the medical history form itself, which is then signed and dated to be updated at that time. Verbal confirmation that there are no changes at each treatment appointment is then satisfactory. The evaluation of any updated registration or statement is the sole responsibility of the dentist, although information may be collected by the dental assistant. Forms of anamnesis vary widely, but the basic areas of interrogation should include the following. We conclude that the dentist faced many ethical challenges in his practice. The present study could rank them as the ten most important challenges, from knowledge to advertising. However, quantitative analysis is needed to see the strength and severity and other factors associated with these challenges, as well as to resolve or adjust these challenges by dentists in their current practice. Among subject matter experts in the first phase of an in-depth interview, dentists who were involved with academics for 10 years, recognized PA teachers who had an interest in ethics research, as well as experience in clinical practice were included in the study. In the second phase of the focus group, dentists were selected who had at least 6 years of academic experience, had a research interest in ethics and law, and were also active in clinical practice. The study aimed to focus on individual, collective and societal frameworks related to ethical issues in dental practice.

At the individual level, it helps assess the opinion, perception, learning, and personality of experts on the ethical challenges of dental practice. At the group level, the study will be useful in assessing the opinion of experts on ethical issues in the work team, in the interpersonal network and in the interaction of the expert`s experience. At the social level, the study assesses ethical issues related to the relationship between professional organizations, rules, globalization, advertising and interaction with professional associations. The deliberate and discretionary sampling method was used to collect data from subject matter experts and general practitioners. Targeted sampling was conducted because these individuals were considered experts in the field of ethics and law in dental practice due to their experience in research interests, science and clinical practice. Due to the interest generated by the research, the selected participants also hoped to provide a rich source of data on ethical challenges in dental practice. [8] An in-depth qualitative interview was conducted with 20 dentists to assess the ethical challenges of dental practice in the Indian scenario. After receiving the responses, the wording was divided into categories and eventually 36 topics emerged. Later, from two groups of 6 panelists each, after conducting group discussions, the topics of ethical issues that arise in dental practice were ranked according to the order of significant impact on practice, the patient and society using the Delphi method. Qualitative research was used to assess ethical issues in dental practice. [6] As the available data on ethical challenges in the Indian scenario was very weak, qualitative research was chosen because it provides a better understanding and perception of the ethical expert in dental practice. He also uses interpretive and naturalistic approaches to the research question.

Since the qualitative method uses the inductive method of data analysis, qualitative research can be used in the absence of any theory. [7] This exploratory qualitative research is an attempt to assess the ethical challenges of health in dental practice in an Indian scenario. How common are ethical dilemmas in dentistry? This question is very difficult to answer, as perception and awareness of ethical issues depends on the people involved. There are no studies or evidence documenting the extent of the problems. However, dental boards often cite ethics as causal in cases reviewed by these bodies. Each situation involving people will be unique, as each problem or dilemma will have different aspects. The following list contains general categories that have been recognized as ethical dilemmas in the dental ethics literature.8,10,11 Twenty-five individuals who met the eligibility criteria were selected for the study. Because of their interest and experience in research, science and clinical practice, these professionals were considered experts in the field of study. Like our physician colleagues, whose professional responsibilities include the phrase „First, do no harm,“ the dentist`s first duty of care can be described as „always acting in the best interests of the patient.“ This theme runs through the different sections of this chapter, and it will become clear that GCC`s guidelines for the standards expected of dentists at all times are to always put the patient`s interests first and act to protect them.

This is the duty of care that all registrants must follow towards all patients. Given that clinical governance in dentistry has been around for over 7 years, it is hard to imagine that not all workplaces already meet the required standards, although many may not refer to it under this heading. The 12 topics covered by the framework and examples of key measures and policies required for compliance are listed in Table 3.2, and all potential dental assistants should find equivalent examples of compliance in their own dental workplace. #4 is the first option chosen in this situation, since the children are in the dental office and all signs indicate that the mother will proceed with the treatment. Informing Child Protection Services (CPS) would likely not receive dental care for these children more quickly. Option #5 would also be part of the treatment plan. The tenth ethical challenge was the poor handling of medical records at our dentists: as consumer negligence increases, it is important to keep medical records. The subject matter experts were of the opinion that „Medial Record is a legal document and a reference for future cases. It protects dentists from fraud or misrepresentation by patients with the intent to harm or defame them.

The qualities required to be employable are good personal skills and acceptable attitudes and behaviours, as well as successful academic qualifications – together they produce the professional dental assistant. Dental records are also extremely valuable as a means of establishing identity. In fatal accidents where facial features are destroyed, teeth are often not affected and can be compared to dentists` records to identify a victim. (See also: ADA Council on Ethics, Regulations and Court Affairs Report on Advisory Opinion 5.F.3. Unearned, non-health-related credentials (PDF).) 5.F.4. Referral services. There are two basic types of referral services for dental care: non-profit and commercial. The non-profit organization is usually organized by dental societies or community services. It is open to all qualified practitioners in the service area. Sometimes the practitioner has to pay a fee to be listed with the service.

The fee for these referral services is intended to cover the cost of the service and is disproportionate to the number of patients referred to it. On the other hand, some commercial intermediary services limit access to the referral service to a limited number of dentists in a given geographical area.