Ethics, professional conduct, and patient rights
The professional baseline
Maryland expects competence, honesty, confidentiality, and respect for patient autonomy. Obtain informed consent before treatment: explain the condition, options, risks, benefits, and consequences of refusal in terms the patient can understand. Protect patient information under HIPAA and Maryland confidentiality law. Do not discriminate, abandon a patient, guarantee outcomes, or practice while impaired. Terminate a professional relationship properly with notice, emergency instructions, and records access.
Patient rights and boundaries
Patients have a right to access their records, to refuse treatment, and to ask questions. A hygienist should not disclose identifiable information to employers, family, or social contacts without authorization or a legal exception. Report suspected child abuse or neglect as required by Maryland law. Avoid dual relationships that exploit the patient's trust.
Worked example
A patient asks for a copy of her radiographs and chart notes. The hygienist should follow the practice's authorization and fee policy, provide a copy in the required format, and document the release. She should not refuse because a balance is unpaid unless Maryland law specifically permits that; withholding records as collection leverage is an ethical and legal risk.
Traps that cost marks
Do not confuse general consent to treatment with informed consent for a specific procedure. Do not discuss cases in public areas or on social media. Do not promise a particular result.