The Code of Ethics is a set of principles of professional conduct which guides all dental hygienists and establishes the expectations for dental hygienists in fulfilling duties to their clients, to the public, and to the profession.
Code of Ethics
Guidelines for the Code of Ethics
The Code of Ethics serves several purposes, including:
- Outlining the ethical principles and responsibilities to which dental hygienists are accountable.
- Providing the public, employers, and other health professionals with benchmarks against which the professional practice of a dental hygienist can be measured.
- Fulfilling the requirements for the profession as set out by the Government of Alberta in the HPA.
- Equipping the College with a legal framework for investigating complaints and pursuing disciplinary actions.
The Code of Ethics:
- Exists to support the College’s mandate to ensure dental hygienists in Alberta have the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and judgment to provide safe, effective,
ethical, and beneficial oral health care services to the public.
- Applies to all dental hygienists in Alberta regardless of practice setting.
- Aligns with and is mutually supportive of other regulatory documents that guide the profession, including the HPA and other legislation, Dental Hygienists Profession Regulation, Health Professions Restricted Activity Regulation, and the College’s Standards of Practice, Bylaws, Guidelines and Policies.
- Will evolve over time, and substantive changes will be adopted only after consultation as prescribed by the HPA.
