Final answer:
The principles and values in the dental hygiene code of ethics center on autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice, with an emphasis on care ethics focusing on personal traits and relationships.
Step-by-step explanation:
The principles and values utilized in the dental hygiene code of ethics consist of several key elements that include respect for patients' rights, integrity in clinical practice, informed consent, and the treatment of research subjects and patients with due care. Specifically, ethical conduct in dental hygiene is underscored by autonomy, ensuring patients have the freedom to make informed decisions about their treatment; beneficence, which involves acting in the best interests of the patient; nonmaleficence, meaning avoiding harm to the patient; and justice, ensuring fairness and equity in the provision of dental care. These principles are supported by **care ethics**, which focus on interpersonal relationships and personal character traits such as compassion, sympathy, and responsibility, particularly in resolving ethical dilemmas without solely relying on rigid principles.
Furthermore, these ethics guide the conduct of microbiological studies and clinical practices where accuracy in record-keeping, honest communication, and maintaining confidentiality are paramount. Ethical guidelines for research often require the oversight of institutional review and animal care boards. In conclusion, whether it is through a societal, individual, or relationship-focused lens, ethics in dental hygiene provide a moral framework for practitioners to follow, ensuring responsible and respectful patient care.