Case-ethical Decision Making 366b2t

CASE..... Ms Bigelow, a dental hygienist, identifies progressive periodontal disease in a patient at a periodic recall visit. Despite Mr. Chafin's (the patient) best efforts the periodontal condition is progressing with notably deeper pocket depth this appointment than 6 months ago. She has documented in the dental record the deepening pockets, the exudate and bleeding on probing, and the radiographically observable bone loss among all the posterior teeth. Ms. Bigelow thinks Mr. Chafin should be referred the local periodontist, as her employer, Dr. Johnson, a general practitioner, only treats mild periodontal problems requiring root planing and curettage. When she informs Dr. Johnson of her findings and recommendation, he dismisses her with a wave of his hand, and enters the operatory where Mr. Chafin is seated. He probes among a few anterior teeth, and dismisses Mr. Johnson in a cordial manner, reconfirming to him the importance of returning again in 6 months for another "cleaning." Ms. Bigelow is distressed by her employer's cavalier attitude regarding Mr. Chafin's serious periodontal disease. She is confident that it is imperative that he receive substantive and definitive periodontal treatment or he will lose his teeth to the condition. What should she do?

Ethics Course Dental Hygiene Program Faculty of Dentistry Universitas Gadjah Mada 2015