Your small private dental practice, which is within anurban city, has many long-standing patients. A number of patientswithin the practice are on public assistance and struggle withmoney issues. Dr. Gordon is very generous and understanding abouther patients’ limitations and often provides free dental services.Your next patient of the morning is jason S, a 14 year old juniorhigh school soccer player. His mother has made an emergencyappointment, as he was hit in the mouth during a soccer gameyesterday. His mother is concerned that jason’s front teeth may beloose as a result. His mother reports that jason has a thorough“cleaning†in another dental office 4 months ago. Clinicalexamination reveals no trauma but some mobility, so you takeradiographs. Clinically, jason presents with no obvious signs orsymptoms of disease, with lack of tissue inflammation and minimalamounts of plaque biofilm. Jason’s radiograph, however, showsmoderate vertical bone loss around the maxillary central incisorsand mandibular central incisors. Bitewing radiographs also indicatemoderate bone loss around the maxillary and mandibular firstmolars. Probe readings on his incisors and molars are in the 4 to 6mm range. You present your finding to Dr. Gordon, who asks you toperform thorough periodontal instrumentation on jason. You remindDr. Gordon, that jason had a dental hygiene appointment in anotheroffice 4 months ago and that his insurance only allows forperiodontal instrumentation every 6 months. Dr. Gordon states thatjason is in dire need of this treatment and ask you in instruct theoffice manager to hold off on submitting jason insurance claimuntil it is within the 6 months time frame.
How would you classify jason’s periodontalcondition?
What ethical principles are in conflict in thisdilemma?
What is the best way for you to handle this ethicaldilemma?
What should you do when treating futurepatients?
