Tough Problems: Artful, Ethical Solutions

Core Competency Credit Course

Friday, October 31, 2008

Are you grappling with current or emerging ethical dilemmas? Come and reflect with us on how your responsibility as a professional influences your roles with patients, their families, the health care profession and the community at large.

This timely continuing dental education course will help the dental team reflect on ways they have handled ethical challenges presented by individuals with complicated needs including: 1) rampant dental disease and personally destructive health habits, 2) extreme financial challenges and lack of access to dental care, and 3) medical conditions with family and social ramifications. Outstanding educators from the University of Minnesota will share tough cases they have experienced and will ask you to reflect on the ways that you have handled such problems in the past. Conceptual frameworks for reliably identifying barriers to acceptance of treatment recommendations will be suggested, followed by strategies for artfully and ethically addressing such barriers. Participants will have several opportunities to collaboratively explore ways to incorporate new insights with their current strategies for artful solutions to tough problems.

You will consider strategies for:

• enhancing your sensitivity toward patients with complex medical conditions and dental needs.
• interpreting the moral implications of a treatment plan.
• using your role as a health professional to empower your patients to achieve their health goals.
• promoting access to oral health care in your community.

Special Course Benefit: You will complete your entire core competency requirements for Minnesota relicensure since this contining dental education course includes core credit in two subject areas.

Muriel J. Bebeau, Ph.D., Professor, Division of Health Ecology, Department of Primary Dental Care, School of Dentistry, Faculty Associate, Center for Bioethics, University of Minnesota. Dr. Bebeau is the Course Director.

Kate M. Hathaway, Ph.D., Adjunct Associate Professor, Division of Health Ecology, Department of Primary Dental Care, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota.

Nina Huntington, R.D.H., B.S., R.F., Collaborative Practice Dental Hygienist, Access to Dental Care; part-time dental hygiene practice, Owatonna, Minnesota; Assistant Adjunct Professor, Minnesota State University at Mankato.

Steven H. Miles, M.D., Professor, Center for Bioethics, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School.

Nelson Rhodus, D.M.D., M.P.H., Distinguished Professor and Director, Division of Oral Medicine, Oral Diagnosis and Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota; Diplomate, American Board of Oral Medicine.