Final answer:
The dental hygienist exhibits the ethical quality of confidentiality by not sharing patient information without consent, ensuring trust and adherence to healthcare privacy laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ethical quality the dental hygienist exhibits by refusing to divulge patient information to a caregiver without patient permission is confidentiality. This is a crucial aspect of healthcare ethics, which requires health professionals to maintain the privacy of patients’ personal and medical information. The principle of confidentiality is fundamental in building trust between patients and healthcare providers. It is supported by various laws and professional guidelines, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, which sets standards for protecting sensitive patient health information.