034-6 Wyo. Code R. § 6-2
This principle expresses the concept that professionals have a duty to protect the patient from harm. Under this principle, the dentist's primary obligations include keeping knowledge and skills current, knowing one's own limitations and when to refer to a specialist or other professional, and knowing when and under what circumstances delegation of patient care to auxiliaries is appropriate.
(a) Education. The privilege of dentists to be accorded professional status rests primarily in the knowledge, skill and experience with which they serve their patients and society. All dentists, therefore, shall keep their knowledge and skill current through continuing education.
(b) Consultation and Referral. Dentists shall seek consultation, if possible, whenever the welfare of patients will be safeguarded or advanced by utilizing those who have special skills, knowledge, and experience. When patients visit or are referred to specialists or consulting dentists for consultation:
(c) Use of Auxiliary Personnel. Dentists shall be obliged to protect the health of their patients by only assigning to qualified auxiliaries those duties which can be legally delegated. Dentists shall be further obliged to prescribe and supervise the patient care provided by all auxiliary personnel working under their direction.
(d) Patient Abandonment. Once a dentist has undertaken a course of treatment, the dentist shall not discontinue that treatment without giving adequate notice and the opportunity to obtain the services of other dentists. Care shall be taken that the patient's oral health is not jeopardized in the process.
(e) Personal Relationships. Dentists, because of their position of power and authority over both patients and staff, shall exercise extreme discretion in their conduct and avoid any form of sexual coercion and/or harassment.
(f) Personal Impairment. It is unethical for a dentist to practice while abusing controlled substances, alcohol, or other chemical agents that impair the ability to practice. All dentists have an ethical obligation to urge chemically impaired colleagues to seek treatment. Dentists with first-hand knowledge that a colleague is practicing dentistry when so impaired have an ethical responsibility to report such evidence to the professional assistance committee of a dental society.
(g) Duty to inform. When, during the course of dental treatment, an unexpected or undesirable outcome is obtained, the dentist has the duty to inform the patient of such outcome and to make arrangements for any follow up or additional treatment deemed necessary.
034-6 Wyo. Code R. § 6-2
Amended, Eff. 4/7/2015.
Amended, Eff. 9/26/2017.