Patient Bill Of Right
Access to Comprehensive Care:
The faculty, staff and students of Utah Valley University Department of Dental Hygiene
recognize that all patients seen at the clinic have the right to comprehensive dental care. Because
the scope of care at the clinic is limited, the following steps will be taken to assure that all
patients have access to comprehensive care and that continuity of care is not disrupted:
A. If the clinic cannot offer the care the patient needs, the patient must be informed at the end of
the initial exam, or the end of the exam at which it becomes evident, if not the initial exam. The
patient will be referred to outside dental clinics or private dentists if they do not currently have a
personal dentist. A Treatment Report listing all dental work that needs to be completed and the
urgency of that care will be given to the patient to take to the dentist.
B. At the completion of treatment, the patient will be given a Treatment Report to take to their
personal dentist. The treatment report will identify treatment given at the clinic and
recommended follow-up.
C. Radiographs will be available to the personal dentists of patients seen in the clinic.
D. The Department reserves the right not to treat certain patients that do not fit with student
requirements and learning objectives and/or the ability of the students to treat said patient.
Patient Rights:
All patients who use the Utah Valley University Department of Dental Hygiene Clinic have the
right to:
A. Information regarding the cost of treatment, length of appointment and type of services the
clinic can provide at the time the appointment is scheduled.
B. Treatment without discrimination.
C. Courtesy and consideration for themselves and any person accompanying them from all
students, faculty, and staff affiliated with the clinic.
D. Confidentiality of all information in their clinic record and/or given to any student, faculty or
staff member affiliated with the clinic.
E. Referral for further evaluation and/or treatment for any dental health needs beyond the scope
of the clinic. IF the clinic cannot offer the care needed, the patient will be informed. Before the
patient is dismissed, they will be given a referral form to take to their private dentist or a
different clinical facility. A referral slip listing all of the findings that may require additional
treatment and the urgency of need of that care will be provided to the patient.
F. Consultation of clinic personnel with the patient’s primary health care provider prior to any
dental hygiene appointment if the patient has hypertension, a bloodborne disease, heart
problems, previous cardiac surgery, unstable diabetes, kidney dialysis, joint replacement, recent
chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or recent steroid therapy. Please inform clinic staff of any
serious health problems prior to your appointment.
G. An explanation of recommended treatment and alternative treatments prior to the
administration of treatment.
H. The option to refuse treatment and to assume the risk of no treatment.
I. Continuity and completion of treatment.
J. Treatment that meets the standard of care for the dental hygiene profession.
K. Collaboration of clinic staff with the patient’s dentist to assure continuity of care; treatment
information to take to their personal dentist to assure comprehensive care.
Patient Privacy:
Our program respects the patient’s privacy. Patient information will only been seen by those
involved in your care, such as the student hygienist, and the hygiene faculty and/or staff. In
communicating with other health care professionals about your patient care, only required
information will be discussed. Charts are never to be removed from the clinic and should not be
stored in student’s lockers. As our program does not send claims or other transactions
electronically, the program is not subject to the HIPPA regulations and policies. However, every
reasonable attempt should be made to protect the patient’s privacy. For example, if your patient
wishes to discuss health information in a more private location, then inform your instructor, and
a private office area will be provided.
Never discuss or talk about a patient with your classmates in the waiting room area or in the
clinic area. If there is a valid reason to discuss your patient’s information with another student,
do so in the grading room or chart room, so others cannot hear. Your instructor should be
included in the discussion and will help you find a proper area.