A timely media statement from the Minister

Please do everything to support keeping fluoride in water supplies-it is safe and most ethical means of community prevention of dental decay http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/getting-facts-fluoride

Physicians Spending Less Time with Patients

"When speed is of the essence, patience, curiosity, and compassion can cease to be virtues. Instead they often become expensive liabilities that must be weeded out." The above line describes the current practice reality with target orientated healthcare overtaking the true essence of healthcare systems, which is to act as the environment to ensure better well being. Please read the article below which I found really interesting. http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/09/a-hazard-of-impatient-medicine/279270/

The Centre for Bioethics and Human Dignity

Hey Everyone I found this link to a wonderful site that covers a wide range of ethical scenarios; some of which we have been talking about through the course so far. Its got recordings, case discussion and is categorised into different areas. Plese have a look if you have a chance http://cbhd.org/resources/case-studies An example from the page regarding an adolescent -whole scenario explained http://cbhd.org/content/adolescent-confidentially-uneasy-truce

Ethics-The Heart of Healthcare-David Seedhouse

The hospital librarian recommended this book for reading which covers different areas of health when it comes to ethics. The book hasn't dissapointed and identifies ethicals situations, provides analysis and is a sound basis for practical ethical decision making. I would recommend fellow course participants to read this if they have an opportunity Cheers Arish

Ethical Dilemma in Dental Hygiene along with methodical way of solving it(6 step system)

http://www.rdhmag.com/articles/print/volume-32/issue-4/features/solving-ethical-dilemmas-in-dental-hygiene-practice.html

Responses to the Ethical Decision Making article questions

I read the article and found the systematic approach using the 10 guided steps quite useful. The case of elder abuse as discussed in the article is becoming quite common in ethnic and migrant families in New Zealand. I am involved with a number of migrant settlement groups and we hear these type of stories quite frequently. Below are my responses to the questions: Q1. A Q2. A Q3. A Q4. B Q5. D Q6. A Q7. A Q8. A Q9. A Q10. D

Nurse suspended for not keeping proper records

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11111550

Article on developments in Health Law for NZ

http://www.hli.ualberta.ca/en/Health%20Law%20Journals/~/media/hli/Publications/HLR/12-2-3_Tigerstrom.pdf

Dental Aspects of Child Abuse- although not reported as widely as it should be. It is ethically and legally important to consider the early signs from dental abuse as a flag to other forms of abuse the child may be facing. The law does not punish carers for dental neglect at this stage but it is paramount for the law makers to re look at the legislation so that children do not have to endure dental pain which has lot of psychological effects on the child and also limits their nutritional intake . The early loss of baby teeth further compromises occlusion of the child and creates aesthetic problems which means the child is embrassed to smile. Just trying to highlight this to fellow course participants as often dental abuse is not recorded as it is not considered life threatening

http://www.nzda.org.nz/pub/resources/a_dentalAspChildAbuse_Nov06.pdf

Congress Paper from Nursing Congress on HPCA

https://stti.confex.com/stti/congrs11/webprogram/Paper47895.html

UK Case of not providing enough information and appropriate referral during care

http://www.dentallaw.co.uk/uploads/casereportpdf/49_Varma%2017_04_13.pdf

Formulation of HPCA ACT
Ministers document-link below

http://www.moh.govt.nz/notebook/nbbooks.nsf/0/AE2C2B92A23154E2CC2571CB007B2754/$file/HWACfuturedirections03.pdf

Case of a 3 year old

I did temporary restorations for a 3 year old who requires 8 fillings in total(a lot) in my practice as the family is against the child going in for dental treatment under GA

While GA is the best option for the child and i explained this in detail to the parent, their reluctance meant that the child had to have the treamtent in the clinic.

The child did cope but I could only do temporary restoration compared to permanent restoration which could have been placed in theatre.

American Dental Association Ethical Guidelines

http://www.ada.org/194.aspx

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