Professional Conduct, Ethics, Patient Records, and Confidentiality
Professional duties
Ohio expects hygienists to act competently, obtain informed consent, keep accurate records, and protect patient information. Records should identify the patient, date, services, findings, anesthesia and supervision, and instructions. Entries must be timely and attributable; corrections should be dated and explained, not erased.
Confidentiality
Disclose protected health information only for treatment, payment, or operations, with patient authorization, or as law requires-such as abuse or neglect reporting, public-health reporting, or a court order. HIPAA sets a floor; Ohio law and Board rules may add requirements. Minimum necessary disclosure applies.
Retention and access
Keep records for the period required by Board rule and at least as long as HIPAA requires; never destroy records during an investigation or complaint. When a patient requests a copy, provide it promptly and charge only permitted fees. Do not alter the record after a dispute.
Worked example
A patient asks for a copy of hygiene records and mentions a possible lawsuit. The hygienist should copy the existing record exactly, document the request, and route it through the privacy officer. Adding late “clarifications” to make the chart look better is improper; a separate addendum dated today is acceptable only if truthful.
Traps
Discussing a patient in a public elevator, posting images without consent, or using unsecured texting can violate confidentiality. Backdating entries is falsification. Refusing a lawful records request can trigger discipline.