Q&A Sexual boundary violations guidelines
The ADA Board of Trustees at its June meeting approved the Council on Ethics, Bylaws and Judicial Affairs question-and-answer informational document on the American Association of Dental Examiners’ new Guidelines on Unprofessional Conduct Involving Sexual Boundary Violations.
Explained Dr. James F. Smith, CEBJA chair, “These Q&As are the product of a request from the ADA Board of Trustees to the council,” concerning the AADE guidelines. “Our council did an extensive review of the 2002 ADA House of Delegates actions concerning sexual boundary guidelines, as well as reviewing the guidelines of other professions. We strongly support and believe that our existing ADA Code of Ethics adequately addresses the issues, and any changes to that Code should be accomplished through the ADA House of Delegates.”
The council’s Q&A follows here:
ADA Q&A on the AADE’s New Guidelines on Unprofessional Conduct Involving Sexual Boundary Violations
Q. Who developed these guidelines?
A. The American Association of Dental Examiners.
Q. When were these guidelines adopted?
A. The Guidelines were approved by the AADE General Assembly at its annual meeting in September 2007, and then sent to state boards of dentistry in November 2007.
Q. What role did the ADA have in the development of these guidelines?
A. These are not ADA guidelines, nor did the ADA develop or recommend them.
Q. Does the ADA have a published statement on sexual boundaries?
A. Yes. The ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct, Principle 2, Nonmaleficence (“do no harm”), Section 2.G. states:
Personal Relationships with Patients. Dentists should avoid interpersonal relationships that could impair their professional judgment or risk the possibility of exploiting the confidence placed in them by a patient.
Q. Do the AADE guidelines address only the conduct of dentists?
A. No, they also include the conduct of dental hygienists and other members of the dental health care team.
Q. Have these guidelines been enacted by state licensing boards?
A. The AADE guidelines are only suggestions to state dental boards. Several state legislatures and licensing agencies have already adopted laws and regulations as they relate to dental professionals and patients, and some of those adopted regulations are more stringent than those proposed in the AADE guidelines.
Q. What can I do?
A. You may wish to contact your state and/or local dental society, or your state board of dentistry for information.
Q. Where can I get a copy of the AADE guidelines?
A. They are available for purchase from the AADE at www.aadexam.org/aade.htm.