Professional Ethics, Unprofessional Conduct, and Patient Rights
Unprofessional conduct
Nevada law lists conduct that can trigger discipline even without poor clinical technique. Examples include fraud or deceit, misrepresentation of credentials, incompetence, practicing outside scope, impairment, abandoning a patient, breaching confidentiality, fee-splitting, false advertising, and failing to cooperate with the Board. Discipline focuses on public protection, not punishment alone.
Patient rights and ethics
Patients are entitled to informed consent, privacy, a clear explanation of treatment and alternatives, and access to their records. Ethical practice includes treating within competence, avoiding conflicts of interest, and not pressuring patients into unnecessary care. A hygienist who disagrees with a dentist's plan should advocate for the patient through proper channels, not silently undermine care.
Boundaries
Dual relationships, accepting gifts that influence care, and social-media posting about patients can create ethics problems. Even de-identified posts can risk re-identification in a small community.
Worked example
A hygienist posts a 'before and after' photo of a distinctive tattoo visible in the background. The patient did not consent. Even if the face is cropped, the post may breach confidentiality and constitute unprofessional conduct. The safer course is no post without a valid written authorization and removal of identifying details.
Traps
'Everybody does it' is not a defense. A consent form for treatment is not consent to advertise. Do not confuse patient dissatisfaction with unprofessional conduct; the Board looks for statutory grounds, not merely a bad review.