Lily E, a 17 year old high school senior, who is a routine 6-months recall patient, is your first patient of the afternoon. She received her driver’s license 3 months ag, and has driven herself to today’s appointment. You review her medical history, and she states there are “no changes,” and she has no “chief complaint.”
As you are performing your intraoral examination, you notice that the tissue between the maxillary central incisors does not appear to be normal. You observe a mushroom-shaped gingival mass projecting from the gingival papilla. It appears red, and bleeds easily upon digital palpation. You ask Lily if it bothers her, and she denies any discomfort. She also states that she was not aware of any problem.
You are concerned that the lesion may be a pyogenic granuloma associated with pregnancy. You would like to discuss the possible implication of the lesion with lily, but you are not sure how to proceed.
What is the best way for you to handle this ethical dilemma?
What is the best way to address/discuss lily’s treatment plan with her?
Under the ethical principle of confidentiality, can you discuss this with your employer dentist, without violating lily’s confidentiality?
Do you have the right to divulge your findings and concerns to her parents?
Can a 17 year old consent to treatment, or must you receive parental consent?
The best way to handle this ethical dilemma is by getting help from a senior consultant in how to proceed with the case by maintaining confidentiality without revealing the identity of the patient.As senior consultant would probably have more experience, one can reach out for help so as to assist Lily in a right way and to provide care.
The best way to address Lily's treatment with her is to maintain good rapport with Lily, explain the condition to her.Give her the details of the causes of the disease.And to explain regarding the treatment modalities of the disease.And maintain two way communication.Encourage her to clarify doubts.
Yes, under the ethical principle of confidentiality it will good to discuss about the patient without revealing the identity of the patient, so as to clarify the doubts and to gain information to how to proceed the treatment.And if its to only help in treating her.
As Lily is still minor yes the information can be passed on to her parents regarding findings and consent.
Yes as per the International rights of children, Lily has the rights to give consent for her treatment.
Lily E, a 17 year old high school senior, who is a routine 6-months recall patient,...
Your next patient, Josiah S, has recently relocated to your town, approximately 6 months ago, and is a new patient to your practice. He is a 45 year old divorced male, who admits to smoking approximately 15 cigarette per day, and drinks a night alcoholic cocktail. He works in sales, and due to his hectic travel schedule, tells you that he has had to cancel his last few dental hygiene appointments. Your intraoral exam reveals that Josiah presents with moderate...
Ethics and Values You are caring for a 17-year-old female patient with sickle cell disease who has been admitted for treatment of sickle cell crisis. Sickle cell disease is a genetic abnormality that affects hemoglobin in the red blood cells. In a sickle cell crisis weakened red blood cells clump together and impede blood flow, causing extreme pain. To prevent stroke and manage the pain of the crisis, your patient needs aggressive fluid and comfort management. At the change-of-shift report,...
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You are caring for a 17-year-old female patient with sickle cell disease who has been admitted for treatment of sickle cell crisis. Sickle cell disease is a genetic abnormality that affects hemoglobin in the red blood cells. In a sickle cell crisis weakened red blood cells clump together and impede blood flow, causing extreme pain. To prevent stroke and manage the pain of the crisis, your patient needs aggressive fluid and comfort management. At the change-of-shift report, you learn that,...
unit-4 clinical practice Ethics and Values You are caring for a 17-year-old female patient with sickle cell disease who has been admitted for treatment of sickle cell crisis. Sickle cell disease is a genetic abnormality that affects hemoglobin in the red blood cells. In a sickle cell crisis weakened red blood cells clump together and impede blood flow, causing extreme pain. To prevent stroke and manage the pain of the crisis, your patient needs aggressive fluid and comfort management. At...
unit-4 clinical practice Ethics and Values You are caring for a 17-year-old female patient with sickle cell disease who has been admitted for treatment of sickle cell crisis. Sickle cell disease is a genetic abnormality that affects hemoglobin in the red blood cells. In a sickle cell crisis weakened red blood cells clump together and impede blood flow, causing extreme pain. To prevent stroke and manage the pain of the crisis, your patient needs aggressive fluid and comfort management. At...