American Dental Hygienists’ Association calls for adherence to Code of Ethics for public safety

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) issued a statement calling on all dental hygienists to uphold the integrity of the profession and prioritize public safety by adhering to the ADHA Code of Ethics, coinciding with National Ethics Awareness Month in March.

The Code serves as the ethical cornerstone of dental hygiene practice, providing a framework centered on professional responsibility, development, and the well-being of the public. It embodies the profession’s core values of individual autonomy, confidentiality, societal trust, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice and fairness, and veracity.

The ADHA statement highlights that the Code creates clear professional standards, builds public confidence, and holds practitioners accountable to individuals, fellow professionals, and communities. It supports hygienists in standing up for vulnerable populations, pushing back against workplace exploitation, and fighting for access to care.

“The safety of those in our care remains non-negotiable in dental hygiene practice,” ADHA president Erin Haley-Hitz said. “Our Code of Ethics directly protects individuals by establishing clear boundaries for professional conduct. When hygienists follow these ethical standards, they create a shield that guards against harm and neglect.”

The statement emphasizes that unified dedication to ethical practice helps prevent harm, reduces care inequality, and safeguards community health.

The ADHA urges all dental hygienists to incorporate the Code of Ethics into daily practice, describing it as “a testament to our collective commitment to public safety, professional excellence, and the advancement of oral health for all.”

For the full position statement, visit adha.org/positions.