Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice (RDHAP) Law and Ethics Practice Exam

What is the primary focus of ethics in dental hygiene?

1. Technical skills and procedures

2. Moral values and moral reasoning

3. Client profitability and satisfaction

4. Legal compliance only

The correct answer is: Moral values and moral reasoning

The primary focus of ethics in dental hygiene centers around moral values and moral reasoning. This aspect is essential because ethical principles guide dental hygienists in making decisions that respect the dignity and rights of clients. It involves understanding and applying values such as beneficence (promoting the well-being of clients), non-maleficence (doing no harm), autonomy (respecting clients' choices), and justice (ensuring fairness and equality). By prioritizing moral values and reasoning, dental hygienists can navigate complex situations where clinical judgment and ethical considerations intersect. This focus ensures that patient care is provided with integrity and aligns with the standards of the profession, ultimately fostering trust and positive relationships between hygienists and their clients. In contrast, while technical skills and procedures are critical to the practice of dental hygiene, they do not encompass the ethical dimensions that guide a professional’s conduct. Client profitability and satisfaction, although important for a practice’s success, do not inherently address the values and reasoning essential to ethical practice. Finally, legal compliance is necessary, but it is just one component of a broader ethical framework, which considers moral values beyond mere adherence to the law.