Student-Professor and Dental Practitioner-Patient Relationship - Essay Example

"Student-Professor and Dental Practitioner-Patient Relationship" is an excellent example of a paper on medical ethics.

What Kind of Expectations Should Students and Dental Practitioners Have Related To the Student-Professor, and Dental Practitioner-Patient Relationship?

There is a need for an ethical relationship in both instances. This means that relationships in both cases should be guided by trust between the human beings involved in the relationships. Additionally, an ethical relationship in this context means that the relationship does not have abstract descriptions other than trust. This relationship is characterized by the protection of human bodies, and honesty must be a leading focus, in the relationship. It is essential to note that a dental practitioner, a patient, teacher, and student have the capabilities to form ethical relationships (Fitzpatrick, & Bronstein, 2006). Under basic conditions, an ethical relationship depends on favorable conditions meaning that a breakdown in the relationships in both cases will lead to challenges in attaining the objectives of the relationship. In the case of a teacher-student relationship, the objective is educationally based and, in dental practitioner-patient, the objective is healthcare based.

In this case, it is necessary for the different elements to understand their roles in the relationship and to avoid sexism and feminism but engage in professional and desirable manners. It is necessary to note that each person, in this case, creates environments for effective relationships. Efforts from the individuals are crucial in developing, supporting and strengthening the relationship. In addition, these efforts can also pollute or weaken the relationship. The student should expect a relationship based on educational objectives. This means that the teacher’s role is to ensure the student attains the educational objectives as outlined in the curriculum (Fitzpatrick, & Bronstein, 2006). The expectations of the dental practitioner based on their association with the patient should be based on the provision of healthcare. This means that the practitioner should not think of harming the patient’s body, but seek the best approaches and strategies for dealing with their dental healthcare problems.

How Does One Deal With The Following Dilemma? Constitutional Right to Free Association vs. Adherence to Restrictive Professional Standards.

The constitutional right to free association secures everybody’s rights to associate freely. This means that teachers and dentists can associate freely with patients and students. However, it is crucial to note that the association of the teachers and dentists with students and patients respectively should be based on professionalism and ethical standards that dictate association within these professions. This means that the teacher should strictly adhere to the restrictive standards that guide the profession and the dentist should follow the professional standards outlined in the medical code of conduct. In the case of unprofessional sexual advances, the patient or student should have the capabilities to create sexual boundaries (Fitzpatrick, & Bronstein, 2006). This does not only give the student or patient the prerogative over the creation of sexual boundaries because the dentist, teacher or other professions should have the capabilities to create these boundaries. In both instances, individuals should have the capabilities to say no and stand by their choice. Besides, stopping the sexual advances, the individual should also report any unethical and unprofessional conduct and approaches to the authorities (Fitzpatrick, & Bronstein, 2006). The restrictive professional standards should act as guidance in relationships between students and teachers, as well as patients and dentists. The association between the two sets of individuals should be seen as partnerships where both sets benefit in a professional and ethical manner.