Self-policing: it's our duty.

As professionals, dental hygienists have a duty to protect the public from incompetent and unethical behaviour. This literature review was completed to provide a guide for dental hygienists who may not feel confident addressing errant behaviour. It discusses principles of biomedical ethics and uses Morriem's system of evaluating levels of adverse outcome as an assessment tool. Pertinent examples in dental hygiene practice are included. Investigation and resolution of dilemmas are also discussed with the aim of upholding the integrity of dental hygiene practice.