Ethics Reflection Paper

INSTRUCTIONS:

This paper consists of an ethical dilemma you have experienced, either in a clinical or

classroom situation during your junior or senior year, or in a dental or workplace

environment in the past. Use of appropriate ethics & dental (if applicable) terminology is

required. (For example, use oral prophylaxis NOT dental cleaning; scaling and root planing

NOT deep cleaning)

Paper is three content pages in length:

Page 1: Title page

Pages 2, 3, & 4: Content

Page 5: Blank page

Format: Times New Roman or Calibri, 12-point font, 1.5 spaced lines; 1-inch margins

Since this is a reflection paper, please document your thoughts and opinions as well as

facts. Do not directly quote or paraphrase from any source. Plagiarism will result in a

zero on the paper and fail the class.

For the paper, use the following format for writing the paper: This paper is from YOUR

perspective, as a dental hygiene student (use dental (if applicable) terminology not

layman’s terms). Write complete sentences throughout the paper, unless noted.

1. Introduction & identify the ethical dilemma or problem (5 points)

a. State the question

b. List the ethical principles in conflict

2. Collect information (10 points)

a. Factual

b. Additional sources

3. Brainstorming for options/alternatives that could have been done (minimum of

at least 3 options)

a. State each option (5 points)

4. For each option/alternative, apply an ethical principle and discuss pros

(principles that support YOUR choice) and cons (principles that do not support

YOUR decision) of each option (20 points for all options/principles) [this section

may be in a table format]; see below for example:

Ethical Principal Knowledge of

Term

Pros Cons

Option 1:

Autonomy

Right to make

own decision

The person is

informed of

potential risk and

benefits prior to

authorizing

treatment

preferred.

The person

declines ideal

treatment due to

fear of treatment.

5. Make the decision (10 points)a. Discuss your choice (what did you or would you do, and would you do it

differently if it happened again), provide rationale.

b. Use Hierarchy of Values and pillow test to justify your decision

6. Implement the decision

See Rubric (next page) for detailed grading information

DH 211 Ethics Reflection Paper Rubric

Criteria <C “C” “B” “A” Points earned

Introduction &

identify the

ethical

dilemma or

problem;

states

question; lists

ethical

principles in

conflict

0-3.20 points

Lacks question

and/or ethical

principles in

conflict

3.75-4.20

points

States question

and ethical

principles in

conflict, identifies

1-2 conflicts

4.25-4.5 points

States question

and ethical

principles in

conflict/

identifies at least

three conflicts;

lacks clarity of

content

4.6-5 points

States question

and ethical

principles in

conflict;

identifies three

or more conflicts;

clearly stated

5 points

Collect

information

a. Factual

b. Additional

sources

0-7.4

Lacks factual or

additional

sources

7.5-8.4

States factual

and additional

sources

8.5-9.2

States factual &

additional

resources; lacks

clarity and/or

completeness

9.3-10

States factual &

additional

resources;

clearly stated

and complete (all

info presented)

10 points

Brainstorm

and list at

least three

options

0-3.20 points

Fewer than three options listed.

3.75-4.20

points

States three

options

4.25-4.5 points

States three

options, clearly

communicated

4.6-5 points

States more than

three options,

clearly

communicated

5 points

For each

option, apply

ethical

principles;

pros & cons

0-14.9

Lacks several

ethical principles;

pros/cons not

clear

15-16.9

States most

ethical principles

and most

pros/cons

17-18.5

States most

ethical principles

and all

pros/cons; lacks

complete clarity

18.6-20

States all ethical

principles and all

pros/cons;

clearly

communicated

20 points

Make the

decision;

discuss choice

& provide

rationale;

Hierarchy of

Values & pillow

test to justify

decision

0-7.4

Determines

choice but lacks

rationale,

Hierarchy of

Values, pillow

test

7.5-8.4

Determines

choice, lacks

rationale or

Hierarchy of

Values or Pillow

test

8.5-9.2

Determines

choice, provides

rationale,

Hierarchy of

Values & pillow

test, lacks

complete clarity

9.3-10

Determines

choice, provides

rationale,

Hierarchy of

Values, & pillow

test, clearly

communicated

10 points

Mechanics