ethics question re periodontal disease - sci.med.dentistry

Message from discussion ethics question re periodontal disease

Dartos

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More options Nov 2 2009, 9:30 am

Newsgroups: sci.med.dentistry

From: Dartos <tuthjoc...@myturbonet.com>

Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:30:10 -0600

Local: Mon, Nov 2 2009 9:30 am

Subject: Re: ethics question re periodontal disease

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> Hypothetical question: If a dental hygienist gets an off-duty whiff
> (literally)
> of periodontal disease, is it unethical to mention strong suspicion of
> that disease to the source of the odor? My hygienist says that
> professional ethics forbids any mention. It's hard for me to
> understand
> the basis, as I'd feel only embarrassment and gratitude for a
> gratuitous professional intervention. Comments?

> Thanks, Jake

When legalese gets down to defining professional ethics, you come up
with some strange conclusions.

I don't think physicians run around town telling every overweight smoker
that they are probably suffering from circulatory and lung disease.

You could argue this either way. Unethical to stick your nose into
someones business when they haven't asked you for professional help
or it could also be construed as unethical for you to see a problem
and not inform the individual of that problem.

For me, I try and use common sense. I don't tell everyone I see of
dental maladies that they exhibit. However, I will certainly try to
find ways to enlighten them if the setting allows this to be done in
a friendly, tasteful manner.

JMO,
D

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