What is a major ethical issue facing dentistry today?
The interviewer wants to assess your awareness of concerns and active participation within the profession of dentistry. We recommend answering the question with a concern that emphasizes the dental hygienist's role in addressing that concern. In responding to this question, also emphasize the importance of ethics in the way you practice dental hygiene. The dental hygienist code of ethics emphasizes patient autonomy, confidentiality, justice, fairness, veracity, non-maleficence, and beneficence.
"There is an unequal distribution of access to high-quality oral healthcare. Many patients are often uninsured or underinsured, and they feel like they don't have the ability to afford quality dental treatment. This leads to progression of disease that is preventable with early intervention. The field of dentistry is trying to figure out how to address this issue with roles like dental therapists, expanded function dental assistants, and others."