The Surgeon General's Report: Oral Health in America (2000) increased the county health department's interest in reducing facial injuries and trauma for citizens in the community. The dental hygienist employed by the health department is given a budgeted amount of state and county funds and also the authority to determine how the funds will be allocated. One colleague in the health department suggests that the funds be used to improve lighting at senior centers to assist senior citizens in seeing better and hence preventing injuries. The dental hygienist wants to target all high school athletic programs in the county by planning a district-wide sports mouth guard program. The dental hygienist decides to implement the countywide sports mouth guard program. What ethical theory or perspective guides the dental hygienist's decision?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The dental hygienist acted as a utilitarian by choosing a program that would do the most good for the larger target group. A deontologist makes decisions because of duty, not consequences. A person following the perspective of virtue ethics makes a decision based on excellence of character. Kant is credited with establishing deontologic ethics.

The Surgeon General's Report: Oral Health in America (2000) Increased