Abstract The paper argues that there is no need to reveal personal health issues to patients when proper preventative measures have been taken to protect the health and well-being of the patient. The paper maintains that it is not important for a dentist to reveal the fact that he carries HBV (hepatitis B virus) in terms of ethics and then shows how the chances of a dentist with HBV passing along that virus to a patient is extremely remote. The paper concludes that telling a patient about the presence of a hepatitis B virus needlessly creates unjustified anxiety and even panic.
Outline:
Thesis
Body of Paper
What Can Happen When an HBV Person Puts in Motion the Potential to Expose an HBV Infected Person
Ethical Issues
Conclusion
From the Paper "Should a dentist necessarily inform the patient that she (we will use "she" in this paper) has the disease Hepatitis B positive? It is my contention and belief that a dentist is not obliged legally or ethically to make that health condition known to patients. And providing that all responsible healthcare-related precautions are taken, I see no good reason why a dentist should alarm a patient with an announcement of startling personal healthcare information. Would a dentist or doctor be obligated ethically to tell a patient that she is in the midst of a genital herpes outbreak? How about the fact that the dentist was out of work for 6 weeks due to mononucleosis? I don't think there is any moral, rational, or ethical justification for having to reveal personal health information of that nature."
A critique of the article, "Salivary Dysfunction and Quality of Life in Sjogren Syndrome" by Carol M. Stewart, Kathleen M. Berg, Seunghee Cha and Westley H. Reeves.
Abstract The paper examines the study's research questions, literature review, quantitative approach to the research, sample selection, data collection and analysis and interpretation of the data. The paper learns from this study that dentists must promote oral health especially in patients with Sjogren Syndrome (SS) for them to have a good quality of life (QoL). The paper agrees that dentists have a significant role in the management of patients with SS.
Outline:
Introduction
Critique of the Research Paper
Conclusion
From the Paper "This paper is a critique on the paper about the impact of salivary dysfunction secondary to Sjogren syndrome (SS) to a person's quality of life. Sjogren syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by dryness of the mouth and eyes. Hyposalivation makes patients with SS at risk for oral problems such as dental caries, oral candidiasis, ulceration, and early tooth loss. Oral health is very important in giving the patient a good quality of life. Oral-health related issues and how they affect a person's overall well-being is imperative to dentists and doctors. Identification of such issues allows dentists to appropriately address this."
Abstract This paper examines the Florida Dental Practices Act (2001). It identifies why and in what specific ways it is important to dentists practicing in the state of Florida.
Abstract This paper examines the nature of a training program, the process of developing such a program and how one should evaluate it. It uses the specific example of surgical microscopes in dental surgery.
Abstract This paper examines the problem of low sales turnover among the salespeople of 1800Dentist, a service company that provides referrals to dentists through television advertising. The paper suggest three alternative solutions that could be marketed in order to try and increase sales.
From the Paper "Solution One is the recommended solution, with several packages being offered. These will include half the price for half the guarantee. To encourage long-term clients the length of the packages will not be varied, only the referrals guaranteed and the price. This means 1800Dentist will vary the advertising schedules for each client. This solution is recommended because it encourages long-term use of the service, which is the best result for 1800Dentist as it reduces administration costs, reduces the sales prospecting required and means that 1800Dentist will have a more reliable and constant income. Having long-term clients effectively ensures stable and uniform demand for 1800Dentist, this stable demand described as allowing an organization to "reduce costs and improve service; better utilize capacity; and enhance profit potential" (Slack, Chambers, Harland, Harrison, & Johnston 406)."
Addresses the dilemma of healthcare workers and the treatment of patients and employees infected with HIV/AIDS with considerations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Abstract Dentists and health care workers in general find themselves in unfamiliar territory when it comes to dealing with patients and employees who are infected with HIV/AIDS. This is especially true when dealing with current and future employees covered under the Americans With Disabilities Act. This paper reviews cases in federal and state courts as well as a case in Florida in which a HIV positive dentist infected six of his patients with the virus.
From the Paper "In 1991 the Centers for Disease Control announced that a dentist in Florida had possible transmitted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS, to a patient while providing her with routine care. The CDC has since reported that the dentist also infected five other people with HIV. These are the first, and up to this point, the only cases of a health care worker apparently infecting patients with the deadly virus."
This paper looks at the issue that UK courts reserve the right to decide that even accepted medical practice may be negligent, yet seldom seem to use it.
4,000 words (approx. 16 pages), 6 sources, 2001, $ 108.95
Abstract This paper looks at the topic of court cases which dealt with negligence by medical institutions or persons. It explains the definition of the law that medical services have the duty to provide as best care as possible. The paper brings down numerous cases as examples.
From the paper:
"Medical litigation cases have been rising rapidly with patients? awareness of the laws designed to protect them against harm from those who they should be able to trust the most, their doctors and dentists. The most widely litigated issue us that of medical negligence. The term negligence refers to a various failures including the failure to guard against the risks of harm to others. An example of negligence is professional malpractice where professional standards of practice are not met. Negligence can be filed in two ways criminal and civil. The standard of guilt is the same for both of them, however the burden of proof is different. In a civil case, the plaintiff must prove the balance of probabilities, where in a criminal negligence the burden of proof is beyond reasonable doubt [Kian, 2001]."
From the Paper "Mental retardation is not a term that is currently commonly used. Instead, it has generally been replaced by the concept of developmental disabilities which covers a range of conditions. The term "mental retardation" has been associated with stigma and stereotypes, and often interferes with people's perceptions of individual children or adults. It can cover a wide continuum of potentialities and personalities, although all involve some developmental incapacities."
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to examine issues that arise from the phenomenon of advertising and marketing on the part of professional personal-service providers of specialist expertise who are required to obtain occupational licensing, such as doctors, lawyers, CPAs, and psychologists. The plan of the research will be to set forth the background and context in which issue fronts have attained prominence in recent years, and then to discuss the attitudes of the affected service providers themselves as well as attitudes of the public and policies of governing bodies toward the phenomenon. The principal focus will be on services advertising by dentists and lawyers, although much of the commentary on such advertising appears equally applicable across professions affected by the deregulation of relevant advertising protocols."
Abstract The paper brings many sources to examine the controversy surrounding the use of fluoride supplements. Some of the articles show that fluoride supplements for young children are associated with some serious risks to dental health, many of which dentists may not even be aware of. Others defend fluoride as a solely positive addition to a child's oral hygiene.
From the Paper "In terms of the relationship of each article to the central premise of Riordan (1997)---which is that fluoride supplements should only be prescribed within certain limited parameters---the Ismail (1994) article is merely an example of a poor methodological approach to investigating this premise. The Wang and Riordan (1999) article assist in establishing one of the parameters in that it found a weak but beneficial relationship for supplements in preventing carries in deciduous teeth. The Wang, Gropen and Ogaard article support certain dosage parameters than are delineated by Riordan (1997) in the main review article."
Abstract This paper discusses some of the career choices available for a student who graduated after four years of dentistry medical studies. The options examined include the military, opening one's own practice, public health and partnership practice.
From the Paper "After obtaining an undergraduate education and spending four years in dental school, a freshly licensed dentist is finally ready to make his or her mark in the world of oral care. They?re ready to begin a career that includes ?gratification and prestige of working in the health care field, job security, flexibility, and a sense of personal satisfaction from helping others.? (Careers) But, where should they go? What should they do? As diversified as the oral healthcare industry, so are the options of a recent dental school graduate. Maybe the military is an option the recent grad will consider, or charitable services. Possibly a career involving prison dentistry or even forensic dentistry could be a choice. (Links) Someone else may never consider an option that is most attractive to another graduate. In the end, a graduate's choice is a personal one, and may set the direction of their future career."
Abstract This paper explains that the health services industry, representing one of the largest sectors of the US economy, is broadly divided into four categories: professional services (including physicians, dentists and other health professionals), hospital services, nursing home services and insurance services. The paper states that the Tenet Health Care Corporation represents one of the largest hospital chains in the U.S.. Its subsidiaries own or operate 115 acute care hospitals in 16 states, as well as one in Europe. The author recommendations that the Tenet Healthcare Corporation strengthen efforts to establish and market the company's presence within communities and resolves its many legal difficulties.
Table of Contents
The Hospital Environment
Economic Trends and Conditions
Cultural and Social Values and Trends
Political and Legal Issues
Summary of Environmental Opportunities and Threats
The Hospital Industry
Classification and Definition of Industry
Analysis of Existing Competitors
Analysis of Potential New Entrants
Analysis of Substitute Products
Analysis of Buyers/Suppliers
Summary of Industry Opportunities and Threats
Tenet Healthcare Marketing Strategy
Objectives and Constraints
Analysis of Sales, Profits, and Market Share
Analysis of Marketing Mix
Summary of Marketing Strategy's Strengths and Weaknesses
Marketing Strategy Recommendations
Potential Future Issues/Problems
From the Paper "Potential buyers include other health services companies and networks interested in mergers and acquisitions. When reviewing Tenet's own history, evidence of the role that potential buyers can play is evident. Tenet had its beginnings in National Medical Enterprises founded by attorneys in 1969. After being sued in 1992 by several insurance companies for fraudulent psychiatric claims and later investigated by the Federal government, the company changed its name in 1994 to Tenet Health Care, coinciding with new purchases throughout the South in 1995 and 1996. In 1999, merger discussions began with embattled market leader Columbia/HCA. While Tenet has continued to purchase other hospitals, the company began feeling the effects of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, which mandated more scrutiny of Medicare expenditures to healthcare providers. In response, the company began divesting some of its hospitals; it also shed its practice management business and reorganized its corporate structure. Tenet has continually rebounded and the company has been acquiring hospitals in 2001 and 2002. Also, in 2002, Federal authorities announced that Tenet was being investigated for its Medicare billing practices, and for performing unnecessary surgeries."
Tags: merger, acute, cornerstone, lawsuit, community
Abstract This paper explains that, as the graying of America grows, so does the industry aimed directly at keeping these older people at least looking young. The author discusses the "beauty" companies including the men's anti-aging business, dentists, plastic surgeons, hundreds of books of healthy eating and vitamin supplements. The paper relates that a major fear of getting older is the loss of one's mental capacity because, with the discovery of Alzheimer's disease, the journals and newspapers constantly remind aging readers about the dire effects of losing one's mental and physical capacities and ending up a near-vegetable, subject to the care of family or long-term facilities.
From the Paper "Want to live longer and be in better physical condition? Now there are books out suggesting hypnosis, both self-hypnosis and going to so-called professionals. The idea is to learn to relax, to literally "think" unpleasant thoughts, such as aging and looking it, out of your mind. Obviously, there are those who believe self-hypnosis can work. "As you relax more and more...the relaxation causes all the muscles and nerves in the affected area to become completely relaxed...your body feels....completely free from discomfort." (Goldberg, p. 184) One can shrug one's shoulders and say, "whatever works for you." Unfortunately, no matter how long one lives, aging will occur, in some people sooner, in others, thanks to medications and surgeries and more attention to diets, longer."
Abstract This paper examines dentistry from a sociological/psychological perspective. The paper begins by defining oral health, as well as sociology and psychology. Next the paper investigates the sociological and psychological problems a dentist may encounter in his practice. The paper offers many researched recommendations for addressing these issues.
From the Paper "Sociology is concerned with the social and political organizations of society and how these affect the behavior of a person living in a particular community, whereas psychology is concerned with individuals and their relationships with others."