034-6 Wyo. Code R. §§ 6-2 - Nonmaleficence
This principle expresses the concept that professionals have a duty to protect the patient from harm. Under this principle, the dentist's primary obligations include keeping knowledge and skills current, knowing one's own limitations and when to refer to a specialist or other professional, and knowing when and under what circumstances delegation of patient care to auxiliaries is appropriate.
(a)
Education. The privilege of dentists to be accorded professional status rests
primarily in the knowledge, skill and experience with which they serve their
patients and society. All dentists, therefore, shall keep their knowledge and
skill current through continuing education.
(b) Consultation and Referral. Dentists shall
seek consultation, if possible, whenever the welfare of patients will be
safeguarded or advanced by utilizing those who have special skills, knowledge,
and experience. When patients visit or are referred to specialists or
consulting dentists for consultation:
(i) The
specialists or consulting dentists upon completion of their care shall return
the patient, unless the patient expressly reveals a different preference, to
the referring dentist, or, if none, to the dentist of record for future care;
and
(ii) The specialists shall be
obliged when there is no referring dentist and upon completion of their
treatment to inform patients when there is a need for further dental
care.
(c) Use of
Auxiliary Personnel. Dentists shall be obliged to protect the health of their
patients by only assigning to qualified auxiliaries those duties which can be
legally delegated. Dentists shall be further obliged to prescribe and supervise
the patient care provided by all auxiliary personnel working under their
direction.
(d) Patient Abandonment.
Once a dentist has undertaken a course of treatment, the dentist shall not
discontinue that treatment without giving adequate notice and the opportunity
to obtain the services of other dentists. Care shall be taken that the
patient's oral health is not jeopardized in the process.
(e) Personal Relationships. Dentists, because
of their position of power and authority over both patients and staff, shall
exercise extreme discretion in their conduct and avoid any form of sexual
coercion and/or harassment.
(f)
Personal Impairment. It is unethical for a dentist to practice while abusing
controlled substances, alcohol, or other chemical agents that impair the
ability to practice. All dentists have an ethical obligation to urge chemically
impaired colleagues to seek treatment. Dentists with first-hand knowledge that
a colleague is practicing dentistry when so impaired have an ethical
responsibility to report such evidence to the professional assistance committee
of a dental society.
(g) Duty to
inform. When, during the course of dental treatment, an unexpected or
undesirable outcome is obtained, the dentist has the duty to inform the patient
of such outcome and to make arrangements for any follow up or additional
treatment deemed necessary.
Notes
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