Title: Jurisprudence
Course: DEH 2811 Ethics > Section: Module 6 - Jurisprudence

Introduction

This module introduces various legal concepts and relates these concepts to the practice of dental hygiene. The professional duties of dental hygienists, along with the rights of the dental hygiene patients, will be considered. The module provides the dental hygiene student with the opportunity to access state dental practice acts and to understand the meaning of the levels of supervision required for various types of dental hygiene treatment.

As licensed health care providers, dental hygienists must have a thorough understanding of the laws governing the practice of dental hygiene. This understanding allows the dental hygienist to practice within his or her scope of practice. The study and understanding of jurisprudence is foundational in maintaining a license in good standing in the state in which the dental hygienist practices.

Objectives

Upon completion of this module, the student will be able to:

- Recognize the difference between civil law and criminal law in the U.S. legal system.
- Define and distinguish between the following terms: intentional tort and unintentional tort, malpractice and negligence, libel and slander, assault and battery, and implied contract and expressed contract.
- Discuss the rights of patients protected by law and duties of providers regulated by law from both ethical and legal perspectives.
- Discuss the role of lobbying in developing legislation for the practice of dental hygiene.

Readings & Resources

Required textbook reading: (Chapter #5, pp. 62-85).  Ethics, Jurisprudence, and Practice Management in Dental Hygiene, Vickie Kimbrough-Walls & Charla Lautar, 3rd Edition.

Assignments and Activities

- Post to the Module 6 Discussion Board.
- Complete the Module 6 Presentation Assignment.
- Complete the Module 6 Quiz.