What constitutes "unprofessional conduct" for dental hygienists in New Jersey?

Unprofessional conduct for dental hygienists in New Jersey is defined by actions that significantly deviate from the accepted standards of professional behavior within the practice. Dishonesty, substance abuse, and failure to maintain patient confidentiality are all serious breaches that compromise the trust essential to the dentist-patient relationship and the integrity of the profession.

Dishonesty can manifest in various forms, including falsifying patient records or billing for services not rendered. Substance abuse directly impairs a dental hygienist's ability to perform their duties safely and competently, which can endanger patients. Failure to maintain patient confidentiality is a violation of federal regulations (such as HIPAA) and ethical guidelines, and it undermines the patient's right to privacy regarding their health information.

These actions threaten the welfare of patients and the overall credibility of the dental hygiene profession, thus clearly fitting the criteria for unprofessional conduct. Other options may involve ethical considerations or procedural expectations, but they do not rise to the level of unprofessional conduct as defined by the laws and regulations governing dental hygiene practice in New Jersey.