Military Dental Ethics & Protocols
Why is informed consent an essential part of military dental practice?
What is to ensure the patient understands the treatment, risks, and alternatives, and agrees voluntarily?
What is the main reason dental professionals must protect patient information?
What is to maintain patient confidentiality and trust?
If a patient asks you to keep a secret about their dental health that could affect their treatment, what is the most ethical response?
What is to encourage honesty and explain the importance of full disclosure for safe and effective care?
What is the primary goal of maintaining high standards of care in military dentistry?
What is to ensure patient safety and provide the best possible treatment?
What is the main purpose of rules of engagement in military dental practice?
What is to ensure care is provided ethically, legally, and within established military protocols?
In a military dental clinic, what must a provider do if a patient requests treatment that is not supported by clinical guidelines or protocol?
What is explain the reasons, provide professional advice, and follow established protocols or seek further consultation?
True or False: Sharing patient information with a colleague without the patient’s consent is acceptable if it improves the patient's care.
What is false? (Patient information must be shared only with proper consent or as legally required)
True or False: It is ethical to perform a procedure without informed consent if you believe it’s in the patient’s best interest.
What is false? (Informed consent is always required unless in an emergency or legal exception)
True or False: Following established clinical guidelines is part of maintaining professional conduct in military dental practice.
What is true?
True or False: Military dental professionals can provide treatment to anyone they see fit, regardless of their status or orders.
What is false? (Treatment must follow authorized protocols and orders)
True or False: It is acceptable for a military dental officer to share patient information with a colleague if they believe it will improve patient care.
What is false? (Patient confidentiality must be maintained unless permission is explicitly granted or in cases of legal/mandatory reporting)
In military dentistry, what should a provider do if they accidentally disclose a patient’s confidential information?
What is report the breach to the appropriate authority and follow protocol to mitigate the impact?
You discover that a colleague has made a mistake that could harm a patient. What is the most ethical action you should take?
What is report the mistake to the appropriate authority and ensure the patient receives proper care?
If a military dental provider notices a colleague consistently performing substandard care, what should they do?
What is report the concern to the appropriate authority and follow the chain of command?
If a military dental provider witnesses a colleague performing an unauthorized procedure, what should they do?
What is report the incident through the proper chain of command and follow established protocols?
When faced with a potential conflict of interest, what is the most appropriate course of action for a military dental professional?
What is disclose the conflict to superiors and recuse oneself from decision-making if necessary?
Which ethical principle emphasizes avoiding actions that could compromise the integrity of military dental practice?
What is honesty or integrity?
During a busy military dental clinic, a patient offers a gift to the provider in exchange for expedited treatment. What is the ethical course of action?
What is to politely decline the gift and adhere to professional and military policies on gifts and conflicts of interest?
Why is it important for military dental professionals to adhere to licensing and certification requirements?
What is to ensure competence, uphold legal standards, and maintain public trust?
Why is it important for military dental professionals to adhere to both military regulations and professional dental standards?
What is to maintain discipline, ensure legal compliance, uphold ethical standards, and protect patient safety?
Describe the steps a military dental team should take if they discover a colleague has knowingly bypassed protocols, risking patient safety.
What is a Patient Safety Report/Training/Briefing
Describe the steps a military dental team should take if they suspect a breach of confidentiality has occurred.
What is investigate the situation, document the incident, notify the appropriate chain of command, and take corrective actions to prevent future breaches?
You are asked to authorize a treatment plan that you know does not fully meet the patient’s needs due to resource constraints. What is the ethical decision?
What is to communicate openly with the patient about limitations, seek alternative solutions, and prioritize patient safety and well-being?
Describe the responsibilities of a military dental professional when they encounter a situation that conflicts with their personal values but is required by professional standards.
What is to uphold the standards of care and conduct, seek advice if needed, and prioritize patient welfare over personal beliefs?
Describe the key considerations a military dental professional must keep in mind when providing care in a deployed or combat environment.
What is to prioritize patient safety, follow lawful orders, work within resource constraints, and adhere to military and professional ethical standards?