Code of Ethics

1.1 Generally

a) The health and well-being of the patient is the priority in all professional interactions.

b) Dental Assistants:

i. take professional responsibility for all professional actions;

ii. engage in best practices;

iii. competently apply knowledge and skills to avoid causing harm;

iv. if harm occurs, disclose the issue to the patient and supervisor as soon as practicable and take appropriate steps to minimize the harm; and,

v. evaluate processes to prevent recurrence.

c) Dental Assistants are knowledgeable of and practice to the current standard of care, seeking sound scientific information to support practice decisions. The current standard of care encompasses, but is not limited to, patient autonomy, current infection prevention and control procedures, occupational health and safety requirements and evidence-based use of appropriate procedures and materials.

d) Services are provided without bias or discrimination and communications are respectful and truthful.

1.2 Privacy

Dental Assistants hold patient information in confidence. Comply with all applicable privacy legislation including the Health Information Act (HIA) and the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). As an Affiliate under the HIA, collect, access, disclose and use patient information only for the purposes authorized under the HIA and in accordance with the Custodian’s policies and procedures.

1.3 Informed Consent

Dental Assistants respect the patient’s right to choose and therefore confirm informed consent is given by the patient prior to providing services, recognizing the patient’s right to withdraw consent at any time.

1.4 Provision of Services

a) Dental Assistants are responsible for their own professional practice while working under the direction of another health professional regardless of role, practice area or practice setting. Working under the direction of an authorized dental health professional, provide only those services authorized by legislation and currently competent to perform. The services provided are those appropriate to the diagnosis, prescribed treatment plan, patient consent and specific circumstances.

b) Dental Assistants will seek assistance with any services they are not currently competent to perform, including referral to another health care professional who is authorized and competent to provide the necessary care.

1.5 Professional Boundaries

a) Dental Assistants maintain appropriate professional boundaries and avoid inappropriate personal relationships in accordance with Standard of Practice #4, Professional Boundaries.

b) Professional boundaries clearly separate personal/social relationships from the professional/patient relationship.

c) Dental Assistants will not allow self-interest of any kind to influence care of the patient.

2.1 Representation of Professional Qualifications

Dental Assistants represent qualifications honestly and accurately, using the protected titles of “registered dental assistant”, “RDA”, “dental assistant” or “DA” only as authorized.

2.2 Health Promotion

Dental Assistants:

a) advocate on behalf of patients including vulnerable populations; and,

b) support oral health initiatives to improve oral health knowledge and awareness in the community.

3.1 Accountability

Dental Assistants:

a) accept responsibility for decisions and behaviours.

b) know and comply with the legislation applicable to the dental assisting profession and the Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics and policies and guidelines of the College.

3.2 Conflict of Interest

Dental Assistants:

a) recognize and, where possible, avoid conflicts of interest; and,

b) if a conflict of interest cannot be avoided, take appropriate steps to mitigate the conflict in the patient’s interest.

3.3 Professional Development

Dental Assistants participate in professional activities that support and enhance their ability to provide safe, competent services meeting the current standard of care.

3.4 Professional Communication

Dental Assistants:

a) are knowledgeable, professional, respectful and timely in their communications; and,

b) demonstrate professional decorum including appropriate use of social media.

4.1 Communication and Collaboration

Dental Assistants:

a) develop and maintain positive and collaborative relationships with colleagues and other health care professionals;

b) inform colleagues and other professionals about the dental assistant’s role and capabilities. Share accurate, evidence-based information with colleagues to promote best practices in patient oral health care;

c) respect the expertise of colleagues and willingly share expertise and knowledge as appropriate; and,

d) work with colleagues and employers to create safe and healthy working conditions.

4.2 Professionalism

Dental Assistants:

a) participate willingly and meaningfully with regulators when requested, reporting unprofessional conduct by colleagues and other professionals to the appropriate regulator and self-reporting decisions about or against themselves as required in the Health Professions Act;

b) acknowledge colleagues’ roles and contributions to the inter-professional team; and,

c) commit to actions that ensure support for colleagues in achieving best practices in oral health care and optimal outcomes for patients.

5.1 Maintaining Competence

Dental Assistants:

a) recognize, acknowledge and function within personal competence level and authorized practice. Accept responsibility for knowing and acting consistently within the legislation, standards and principles that pertain to the profession and to the practice setting;

b) are responsible for maintaining their own competence;

c) participate in meaningful learning opportunities that enhance and improve competencies and professional practice; and,

d) accept and act on constructive feedback and/or criticism to improve practice.

5.2 Fitness to Practice

Dental Assistants:

a) engage in self-care to maintain the physical and mental wellness required to meet the responsibilities of role; and,

b) inform the Registrar & CEO and employer immediately if unable to practice safely, competently and/or ethically.

6.1 Compliance

Dental Assistants comply with College Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics, bylaws, and policies and procedures as well as with the legislation and regulations that apply to the profession.

6.2 Participation

Dental Assistants:

a) support the advancement of the dental assisting profession for current and future generations of dental assistants through giving back to the profession by volunteering and contributing time, skill, talent and expertise throughout career whether formally or informally;

b) participate in the affairs of the College in a responsible, professional and meaningful way; and,

c) communicate with the College and stakeholders in a professional and timely manner. Correspondence, communications and requests from the College and/or other stakeholders are given timely attention and appropriate professional response.

• Health Professions Act
• Dental Assistants Profession Regulation
• Standards of Practice
• Competency Profile

Ethical challenges arise in a variety of contexts and require careful reflection and analysis to determine the best decision or course of action under the circumstances. Ethical decisions should not be rushed, but should be made carefully after considering all relevant factors and perspectives.

1. Collect information to identify the issue.

a) What is the issue?

b) Who does the issue impact and how? What is their view of the situation?

c) What ethical principles are at stake?

d) What legislation, policy or regulation is involved?

e) Who needs to be involved in the decision making process?

2. Determine feasible alternatives.

a) Identify alternatives for dealing with the issue.

b) What makes each a good alternative? What are the drawbacks of each alternative?

c) Identify morally significant factors for each alternative.

d) If you were one of the principle people affected by the alternative chosen, which alternative would you want?

e) Which alternative will provide the best outcome for the patient?

3. Propose and test possible solutions.

a) What is the impact on the patient? The public? Colleagues? Who else would be impacted and how?

b) What is the impact on systems, protocols and procedures?

c) Would a good person make this choice?

d) Does it feel right?

4. Make your choice.

a) Choose the solution which provides the best possible outcomes, considering all the information you have.

b) Accept responsibility for your decision. Learn from it.

c) Would you do the same thing again? Why? Why not?

d) Could a better outcome have been achieved? How?

e) Do policies, procedures or practices need to be revised? Who will do it?