Which item is one of the ADHA Code's five fundamental principles rather than one of its seven core values?

Complementarity. The ADHA Code lists five fundamental principles: universality, complementarity, ethics, community, and responsibility. Confidentiality, societal trust, and veracity are among its seven core values, along with individual autonomy and respect, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice and fairness.

A hygienist notices that a colleague at another office repeatedly performs inadequate care that harms patients. Under the ADHA Code's standards of responsibility to the community and society, what does the Code call for?

Documenting and reporting the inappropriate, inadequate, or substandard care to the responsible authorities. Among its responsibilities to the community and society, the ADHA Code directs hygienists to document and report inappropriate, inadequate, or substandard care, or illegal activities, by a health care provider to the responsible authorities. It also directs them to use peer review to identify substandard care. In New Hampshire, the Board is the licensing authority.

How does the ADHA Code describe the core value of confidentiality?

Hygienists respect the confidentiality of client information and relationships as a demonstration of the value placed on individual autonomy, and must justify any violation of confidence. The ADHA Code's core value of confidentiality states that hygienists respect the confidentiality of client information and relationships as a demonstration of the value they place on individual autonomy. They acknowledge an obligation to justify any violation of confidence. Confidentiality is listed as a core value, not a fundamental principle.

ADHA Code of Ethics for Dental Hygienists | Free Guide 2026

The ADHA Code of Ethics for Dental Hygienists

Legal status in New Hampshire

Den 501.01(a) adds the Board's ethical duties to "the obligations of dental hygienists under the Code of Ethics of the American Dental Hygienists' Association adopted June 2024." Knowingly or willfully violating the ADHA Code, as approved by the Board, is professional misconduct for hygienists (RSA 317-A:17, II(j)(2); Den 407.01(l)(2)). The ADHA's posted 2024 Code document is dated "Adopted: October 2024."

Structure of the Code

Preamble: hygienists are a community of professionals devoted to preventing disease and promoting the public's health through educational, clinical, and therapeutic services.
Purpose: four objectives. The Code aims to increase ethical consciousness; help hygienists recognize ethical issues and make informed decisions; set a standard for professional judgment and conduct; and tell the public what ethical behavior to expect.
Key concepts: beliefs, principles, values, and ethics are interrelated and mutually dependent.
Basic beliefs
Fundamental principles (5)
Core values (7)
Standards of professional responsibility

Basic beliefs

Hygiene services contribute to the health and well-being of society.
Education and licensure qualify hygienists to prevent and treat oral disease.
Individuals have intrinsic worth, are responsible for their own health, and may make their own health choices.
Dental hygiene care is essential to overall health care, and hygienists work interdependently with other providers.
All people should have access to health care, including oral health care.
Hygienists are individually responsible for their actions and the quality of their care.
Hygienists must be inclusive and diverse and promote equity in access and careers.

The five fundamental principles

Principle	Meaning in the Code
Universality	If one person judges an action right or wrong in a situation, others considering the same action in the same situation would judge it the same way
Complementarity	Recognizes an obligation to justice and basic human rights; requires considering others' values and perspectives before acting in ways that affect them
Ethics	General standards of right and wrong, judged by how far actions promote good and minimize harm; they compel health promotion and disease prevention
Community	Concern for the bond between individuals, community, and society, including preserving natural resources and the global environment
Responsibility	Central to the Code: knowing and applying ethical guidelines and accepting the consequences of acting or failing to act

The seven core values

Core value	Summary
Individual autonomy and respect for human beings	People have the right to respect, to informed consent before treatment, and to full disclosure of relevant information
Confidentiality	Respect client information and relationships, and justify any violation of confidence
Societal trust	Public trust in the profession rests on hygienists' actions and behavior
Non-maleficence	Provide services in a way that protects clients and minimizes harm to them and others involved in their treatment
Beneficence	Promote well-being through health promotion and disease prevention
Justice and fairness	Support fair and equitable distribution of resources and access to high-quality, affordable oral health care
Veracity	Tell the truth, expect the same from others, and value self-knowledge and honesty

Standards of professional responsibility (selected)

To clients: provide care with high knowledge, judgment, and skill; minimize risk; serve without discrimination; keep relationships confidential; give clients the information needed for informed decisions; refer clients whose needs exceed the hygienist's ability or scope of practice; and recognize that cultural beliefs influence decisions.
To colleagues, employees, and employers: be honest and candid; manage conflicts constructively; promote safe, healthy workplaces; and respect employment rights.
To the profession: avoid conflicts of interest and declare them when they occur; advance the profession; and promote public understanding of oral health.
To the community and society: uphold the laws and regulations governing the profession; document and report inappropriate, inadequate, or substandard care or illegal activities by a health care provider to the responsible authorities; use peer review; comply with public health laws; promote access; and provide pro bono service.
To scientific investigation: follow human-subject review, get informed consent, protect data confidentiality, and report findings completely, honestly, and promptly.

Comparing the two codes

	ADA Code (dentists)	ADHA Code (hygienists)
Organizing concepts	5 principles: patient autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, veracity	5 fundamental principles (universality, complementarity, ethics, community, responsibility) plus 7 core values
Shared values	Autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, veracity	Includes all five, plus confidentiality and societal trust as separate core values
Binding rules	Code of Professional Conduct and advisory opinions	Standards of professional responsibility
New Hampshire hook	Den 501.01(a); RSA 317-A:17, II(j)(1)	Den 501.01(a); RSA 317-A:17, II(j)(2)

Applying the ADHA Code to New Hampshire practice

A hygienist working under public health supervision agrees to tell program participants that the services do not replace a dentist's examination (Den 405.02(a)(6)). This honors veracity and full disclosure.
Referral beyond scope reflects the statutory limit that no independent hygiene practice is permitted (RSA 317-A:21-d) and that diagnosis stays with the dentist (RSA 317-A:23, I).
The duty to report substandard care or illegal activity works together with the Board's complaint process and the CPHDH training on New Hampshire law for reporting patient abuse (Den 302.08(a)(3)e).

New Hampshire Dental Jurisprudence

9.2 ADHA Code of Ethics for Dental Hygienists

Key Takeaways