ADVISORY OPINION
3 . F . 1 . DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR IN THE WORKPLACE . Dentists are the leaders of the oral healthcare team . As such , their behavior in the workplace is instrumental in establishing and maintaining a practice environment that supports the mutual respect , good communication , and high levels of collaboration among team members required to optimize the quality of patient care provided . Dentists who engage in disruptive behavior in the workplace risk undermining professional relationships among team members , decreasing the quality of patient care provided , and undermining the public ’ s trust and confidence in the profession .
Section 4 PRINCIPLE : JUSTICE (“ fairness ”). The dentist has a duty to treat people fairly .
This principle expresses the concept that professionals have a duty to be fair in their dealings with patients , colleagues and society . Under this principle , the dentist ’ s primary obligations include dealing with people justly and delivering dental care without prejudice . In its broadest sense , this principle expresses the concept that the dental profession should actively seek allies throughout society on specific activities that will help improve access to care for all .
CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
4 . A . PATIENT SELECTION . While dentists , in serving the public , may exercise reasonable discretion in selecting patients for their practices , dentists shall not refuse to accept patients into their practice or deny dental service to patients because of the patient ’ s race , creed , color , gender , sexual orientation , gender identity , national origin or disability .
ADVISORY OPINION
4 . A . 1 . PATIENTS WITH DISABILITIES OR BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS . As is the case with all patients , when considering the treatment of patients with a physical , intellectual or developmental disability or disabilities , including patients infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus , Hepatitis B Virus , Hepatitis C Virus or another bloodborne pathogen , or who are otherwise medically compromised , the individual dentist should determine if they have the need of another ’ s skills , knowledge , equipment or expertise , and if so , consultation or referral pursuant to Section 2 . B hereof is indicated . Decisions regarding the type of dental treatment provided , or referrals made or suggested , should be made on the same basis as they are made with other patients . The dentist should also determine , after consultation with the patient ’ s physician , if appropriate , if the patient ’ s health status would be significantly compromised by the provision of dental treatment .
4 . B . EMERGENCY SERVICE . Dentists shall be obliged to make reasonable arrangements for the emergency care of their patients of record . Dentists shall be obliged when consulted in an emergency by patients not of record to make reasonable arrangements for emergency care . If treatment is provided , the dentist , upon completion of treatment , is obliged to return the patient to the patient ’ s regular dentist unless the patient expressly reveals a different preference .
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