Dental Hygienist Ethics & Practice Standards: ADHA Code & X-Rays

Bylaws and the Code of Ethics adopted by the American Dental Hygienists Association (ADHA) outline duties and responsibilities of licensed dental hygienists. The ADHA defines hygienist duties and responsibilities in its "Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice."

General Provisions

• One of the stated purposes for adoption of the Code of Ethics for dental hygienists is to establish standards for "professional judgment and conduct" and outline ethical responsibilities of hygienist practice. One of the "Core Values" in the Code is to prevent malfeasance by hygienists by protecting all clients and minimizing harm to clients.

Code of Ethics

• Section 7 of the Code contains Standards of Professional Responsibility owed to clients. The Code requires that hygienists provide clients with information about their oral health so clients can make informed decisions concerning their treatment options.

Standards of Care

• In terms of radiographs (i.e., X-rays), clients must be provided with information about risks of harm due to exposure to radiation. (such as X-ray radiation exposure risks to women during pregnancy). Standards of Care require that hygienists collect adequate personal health information from clients to permit proper assessment and diagnosis.

  Standard 1 of the ADHA Standards of Practice requires assessment of patient needs using various methods, including use of radiographs (i.e., X-rays).