Patient Bill of Rights
Each patient is entitled to
Considerate, respectful, and confidential treatment
- Continuity and completion of treatment
- Access to complete and current information about his/her condition
- Advance knowledge of the cost of treatment
- Informed consent
- Explanation of recommended treatment, alternate treatment, the option to refuse treatment and risk of no treatment
- Emergency, incremental, and total patient care
- Treatment that meets the standard of care in the profession
- Access to a patient advocate
Standards of Care for Dental Hygiene Division:
- At least 80% of all patients will receive dental hygiene preventive maintenance at their designated recall interval
- 100% of all adult patients will be screened for hypertension.
- 100% of all patients will be screened for head, neck and oral cancer.
- 100% of all dental hygiene patients will receive oral hygiene instruction.
- 95% of all patients with treatment needs will be referred to the appropriate individual(s) for treatment, e.g., undergraduate dental student, post-graduate specialty clinic, etc.
Please also review additional standards on the ADHA website
General Policies and Initial Consent
- The Dental School treats patents and trains future dental hygienists, dentists and dental specialists. Students provide patent care under faculty supervision. If your dental needs are too complex for students, you may be referred to graduate dental clinics, other treatment facilities including the Dental School’s Faculty Practice office, or private practices.
- Emergency dental service is provided for the treatment of dental emergencies only (pain, swelling, acute infection, bleeding, etc.), and is limited to only such care as is necessary to relieve the emergency. Routine treatment cannot be obtained through this service. Patents desiring regular dental care may make an appointment and be subject to the rules and regulations of the clinical teaching program of the Dental School. A treatment plan examination, including dental x-rays and necessary diagnostic aids, will be required at an additional cost.
- The Dental School may accept you as a patient for comprehensive care after your diagnostic evaluation and treatment plan are complete.
A small diagnostic fee may be charged for your initial screening and x-rays. This fee is non-refundable. Another small fee may be charged for the formulation of a treatment plan. This may require more than one visit to the Dental School by you so that faculty can evaluate your oral health. The additional treatment plan fee, if charged is also non-refundable.
- After initial evaluation, you may need further diagnostic work or preventive and/or emergency procedures before the Dental School can develop a comprehensive treatment plan for you. These preliminary services might include:
| Photographs, other x-rays and models of teeth |
Restoration of teeth (fillings) |
| Examination of teeth and other oral soft tissues |
Use of local Anesthetic |
| Cleaning of teeth |
Root Canal treatment (endodontic) |
| Fluoride treatment |
|
Charges for preliminary services are not included within the diagnostic fee. You will be advised of costs of recommended preliminary services:
You may refuse any proposed preliminary service. However, if you do so, you may not be able to receive a comprehensive treatment plan and further care.
- Fees for additional services will be explained when the comprehensive treatment plan is presented to you. An estimate of the cost for each service will be given to you before treatment. The estimated cost of a service must be paid at the initiation of that treatment. Actual costs will reflect services provided, and may be higher or lower than the estimates. Any additional payment due from you will be due upon completion of services. Any refunds will be made only by University check which may take 4-6 weeks to process.
- The Dental School cannot assure you that one student dentist will complete treatment within one school year. Another student may need to complete your treatment in a subsequent school year.
- Your treatment may be discontinued if you do not keep two appointments without notifying the Dental School, you repeatedly cancel appointments, you repeatedly are late for appointments, or you are uncooperative with students or staff.
- The Dental School accepts applications from all people, regardless of age, sex, sexual orientation, race creed, color, national origin, or disability.
- All Dental School patient records are the property of the Dental School. Upon your written request, the Dental School will release copies of the information in your records. There is a charge for duplication or delivery costs. Since the School is a teaching institution, your written records, photographs, casts and other clinical information may be used for education purposes. Your patient identifying information will be removed before such uses. Your case may be discussed confidentially amongst students, faculty and professional staff.
- Infrequent risks and complications are known to occur as a result of dental procedures. The most common risks are biting the tongue or lip following the administration of local anesthetic and soreness around the area treated. Less common complications include infection, swelling and reaction or allergy to anesthesia or dental care products.
- By signing below you acknowledge that the nature and purpose of the diagnostic procedures have been explained to you in general terms.
You realize that good results are expected, but that no guarantees, express or implied, are given for treatment results. You acknowledge that alternative procedures, if any, have been explained, along with their advantages, disadvantages and risks, and that you have had the opportunity to ask questions about the treatments listed above. You understand that you have the right to ask questions and be provided answers to questions during the course of treatment.
- You are free to withdraw consent to treatment at any time.
- By signing below you acknowledge that you have read and understood this document. Your signature constitutes acceptance of the policies discussed above and an initial consent for diagnostic examination (including x-rays) and treatment.
- I hereby acknowledge that I received a copy of this institution’s Notice of Privacy Practices.
- I will provide an accurate and up to date medical and dental history for myself or person I am legally responsible for (Must be a legal guardian).
Privacy Officer: Kent Buckingham
Director of IT and Facilities Management, HIPAA & IT Security Officer, Dental School Center for Information Technology Services,
University of Maryland,
650 West Baltimore St., Room G424, Baltimore, MD 21201 KBuckingham@umaryland.edu
(410) 706-0343
(410) 706-3389 FAX
Dress Regulations within the Dental School Clinical Facilities
Failure to adhere to the Dress code Policy may result in a U for the daily Professionalism Grade and/or an inability to attend clinic.
It is the responsibility of all students, faculty, and staff in the clinics, clinic simulators and clinical laboratories to maintain personal dress and cleanliness that is consistent with professional patient care and MOSH regulations. It is also the responsibility of the aforementioned persons to promote this policy with others. Research lab staff will not be impacted by the dress regulations other than for MOSH requirements.
Attire in clinical simulation area should be identical to the attire considered appropriate for the patient treatment areas. Attire should be neat, clean and professional, conveying the respect inherent in the practitioner-patient relationship.
- Informal attire such as denim jeans, shorts, and Bermuda shorts are not permitted. Clean athletic shoes (with socks) may only be worn with scrub attire. Mesh-style athletic shoes are not permitted.
- All students will wear white or blue clinic coats or disposable gowns, provided by the school, during patient treatment. Selection of the coat or gown is based on the procedure being performed. Clinic coats/gowns will be worn in all patient care areas, and must be fully buttoned (including the top snap or button) during patient treatment. A clean coat or gown will be worn each day; it will be changed should it become visibly stained or contaminated during the clinic session. CLINIC COATS SHOULD NOT BE WORN OUTSIDE THE BUILDING OR INTO NON-CLINICAL AREAS OF THE BUILDING
- Surgical scrub attire may be worn while delivering patient care provided that a clean white or blue clinic coat and/or disposable gown are worn over the scrubs. Clean, pressed scrubs in solid colors (with the exception of navy blue which is reserved for faculty) will be purchased and maintained by the individual. Individuals choosing to wear scrubs for patient treatment may either change at school prior to patient treatment or arrive and leave the building in scrub attire.
- If scrub attire is not worn in the clinic setting, men and women will wear attire appropriate for a professional environment. Men should wear clean, neat slacks and a collared dress shirt. T-shirts are not permitted. Women may wear slacks, Capri pants, skirts or dresses. Skirts and/or dresses may be no shorter than two inches below the knee. Socks must be worn in the clinic. Open toed shoes or other shoes with openings on the tops of the shoes (e.g., Crocs or flip flops) cannot be worn.
- Combination scrubs” are permitted as defined: Students may wear a dark solid-colored scrub top tucked into neat slacks with a belt and dress shoes. Female students may wear dark solid-colored scrub bottoms with a solid colored fitted top (t-shirts with logos are not permitted) and athletic shoes.
- With the exception of a smooth band, rings should not be worn. Earrings should not interfere with personal protective equipment or patient treatment.
- An individual's hairstyle should prevent hair from contacting patients, instruments, or equipment. Hair should be clean and neatly groomed. Hair longer than chin/shoulder length should be worn away from the clinician’s face.
- Fingernails should be clean, short (no longer than the fingertip) and well-manicured. Clear or light-colored unchipped fingernail polish is permissible. In the clinical setting at UMB and affiliated off-campus sites only clear, light-colored beige or pink hue, or French-manicure is permissible. Acrylic fingernails are not permitted.
Addendum for students only:
Greater flexibility in attire is permitted in the classroom and seminar areas (i.e. clean non-distressed denim jeans, sandals for women, casual but modest attire), provided that the standards of professionalism are maintained and that the student does not enter the clinic or simulation areas.
Additional Dress code items for Dental Hygiene Students
- Two acceptable earrings through the ear lobes (e.g., studs, small hoops) per ear are permitted. Gauges in the ear lobes and bars through any part of the ear are not permitted.
- No bracelets are permitted.
- Intra-oral piercings are unacceptable (e.g., tongue) Piercings through the brow, lip, nose etc. are not permitted. (If you have a piercing in your nose you can place a flesh colored stud so the hole will not close).
- Men must be cleanly shaven or close bearded
- Hair, if colored must be a natural shade.
- In the clinical setting at UMB and affiliated off campus sites only a light-colored beige or pink hue nail polish is permissible. A French manicure is a suggestion. NO ACRYLIC NAILS.
- Pending the official date; all hygiene scrubs must be Eggplant in color.