Positions, Policies & Statements, Code of Professional Conduct

STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT

As a professional dental assistant, I will promote the advancement of the careers of dental assistants and the dental assisting profession in matters of education, legislation, credentialing and professional activities which enhance the delivery of quality dental health care to the public.

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ADAA CREED FOR DENTAL ASSISTANTS

To be loyal to my employer, my calling and myself.
To develop initiative – having the courage to assume responsibility and the imagination to create ideas and develop them.
To be prepared to visualize, take advantage of, and fulfill the opportunities of my calling.
To be a co-worker – creating a spirit of cooperation and friendliness rather than one of fault-finding and criticism.
To be enthusiastic – for therein lies the easiest way to accomplishment.
To be generous, not alone of my name but of my praise and my time.
To be tolerant with my associates, for at times I too make mistakes.
To be friendly, realizing that friendship bestows and receives happiness.
To be respectful of the other person’s viewpoint and condition.
To be systematic, believing that system makes for efficiency.
To know the value of time for both my employer and myself.
To safeguard my health, for good health is necessary for the achievement of a successful career.
To be tactful – always doing the right thing at the right time.
To be courteous – for this is the badge of good breeding.
To walk on the sunny side of the street, seeing the beautiful things in life rather than fearing the shadows.
To keep smiling always.
- Juliette A. Southard, Founder ADAA

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ADAA PLEDGE

I solemnly pledge that, in the practice of my profession, I will always be loyal to the welfare of the patients who come under my care, and to the interest of the practitioner whom I serve.
I will be just and generous to the members of my profession, aiding them and lending them encouragement to be loyal, to be just, and to be studious.
I hereby pledge to devote my best energies to the service of humanity in that relationship of Life to which I consecrated myself when I elected to become a Dental Assistant.
Dr. C. N. Johnson

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ADAA POLICY ON PRINCIPLES OF ETHICS AND CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

FOREWORD:

As an organization charged with representing a part of the profession involved in the practice of dentistry, the American Dental Assistants Association has delineated the Principles of Ethics and the Code of Professional Conduct for members, officers and trustees. The Principles of Ethics are general goals to
which each member should aspire and are not intended to be enforceable as rules of conduct for dental assistants. The Code of Professional Conduct is intended for use as a guide for the evaluation of elected officials and members.

AMERICAN DENTAL ASSISTANTS ASSOCIATION PRINCIPLES OF ETHICS

Each individual involved in the practice of dentistry assumes the obligation of maintaining and enriching the profession. Each member may choose to meet this obligation according to the dictates of personal conscience based on the needs of the human beings the profession of dentistry is committed to serve.
The spirit of the Golden Rule is the basic guiding principle of this concept. The member must strive to at all times maintain confidentiality, and exhibit respect for the dentist/employer. The member shall refrain from performing any professional service which is prohibited by state law and has the obligation to prove competence prior to providing services to any patient. The member shall constantly strive to upgrade and expand technical skills for the benefit of the employer and the consumer public. The member should additionally seek to sustain and improve the Local Organization, State Association, and the American Dental Assistants Association by active participation and personal commitment.

CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

As a member of the American Dental Assistants Association, I pledge to:

  • Abide by the Bylaws of the Association;
  • Maintain loyalty to the Association;
  • Pursue the objectives of the Association;
  • Hold in confidence the information entrusted to me by the Association;
  • Serve all members of the Association in an impartial manner;
  • Recognize and follow all laws and regulations relating to activities of the Association;
  • Maintain respect for the members and the employees of the Association;
  • Exercise and insist on sound business principles in the conduct of the affairs of the Association;
  • Use legal and ethical means to influence legislation or regulation affecting members of the
    Association;
  • Issue no false or misleading statements to fellow members or to the public;
  • Refrain from disseminating malicious information concerning the Association or any member or
    employee of the American Dental Assistants Association;
  • Maintain high standards of personal conduct and integrity;
  • To not imply Association endorsement of personal opinions or positions;
  • Cooperate in a reasonable and proper manner with staff and members;
  • Accept no personal compensation from fellow members, except as approved by the Association;
  • Promote and maintain the highest standards or performance in service to the Association;
  • Assure public confidence in the integrity and service of the Association.
(HOD 1980)

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