In the world of dentistry, ethical considerations play a pivotal role in ensuring that patients receive the best possible care. Dental professionals are entrusted with the responsibility of not only preserving oral health but also upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct. In this article, we will explore the ethical aspects of various dental procedures and products, including gum grafting, toothpaste, root canals, and night guards.
Dental Ethics: A Foundation for Patient Trust
Before delving into specific dental procedures and products, it’s essential to understand the overarching principles of dental ethics. Dental ethics is a branch of healthcare ethics that guides dental professionals in their interactions with patients, colleagues, and the broader community. The four fundamental principles of dental ethics are autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice.
- Autonomy: Patients have the right to make informed decisions about their oral health care. Dental professionals must respect their patients’ autonomy by providing them with accurate information, explaining treatment options, and obtaining informed consent.
- Beneficence: Dental professionals have a duty to act in the best interests of their patients. This involves providing the highest quality care and striving to improve patients’ oral health and overall well-being.
- Non-Maleficence: This principle emphasizes the duty to do no harm. Dental practitioners should avoid procedures or treatments that could harm their patients and should always prioritize patient safety.
- Justice: Dental care should be provided equitably, without discrimination or bias. All patients, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status, should have access to quality dental care.
Now, let’s explore how these principles apply to specific dental procedures and products:
Gum Grafting: Ethical Considerations
Gum grafting is a common procedure used to treat gum recession, which can lead to tooth sensitivity and other oral health issues. From an ethical standpoint, it’s crucial for dental professionals, such as those at Compton & Broomhead Services, to ensure that patients fully understand the need for gum grafting and the potential benefits and risks associated with the procedure. Informed consent is paramount, and patients should have the autonomy to choose whether to undergo the treatment.
Additionally, dental professionals must prioritize the well-being of their patients by performing gum grafting procedures with skill and precision. The principle of non-maleficence comes into play here, as any harm caused during the procedure would be a breach of ethical duty.
Toothpaste: Ethical Product Considerations
Toothpaste is a daily oral care product that many people use without much thought. However, ethical considerations also extend to dental products. Dental professionals have an ethical obligation to recommend toothpaste that is safe and effective for their patients you can get straighter teeth without the hardware and inconvenience of traditional braces with SureSmile. They avoid promoting or endorsing products that make false or misleading claims about their benefits.
Furthermore, the principle of beneficence comes into play when dental professionals recommend toothpaste. They should choose products that will genuinely benefit their patients’ oral health and well-being, taking into account factors such as fluoride content, sensitivity relief, and specific oral health needs.
Root Canals: Balancing Autonomy and Beneficence
Root canals are often necessary to save a severely damaged or infected tooth. When recommending a root canal, dental professionals must strike a balance between respecting the patient’s autonomy and acting in their best interests. Patients should be informed of the need for a root canal, the procedure itself, and the alternatives.
In cases where patients are hesitant or anxious about undergoing a root canal, dental professionals should address their concerns, provide reassurance, and discuss pain management options. This demonstrates a commitment to both autonomy and beneficence, ensuring that the patient’s oral health is preserved while respecting their preferences.
Night Guards: Promoting Patient Well-Being
Night guards are devices used to protect teeth from the harmful effects of bruxism (teeth grinding) during sleep. From an ethical standpoint, dental professionals should recommend night guards when there is a genuine need to prevent damage to a patient’s teeth and maintain their oral health.
Promoting patient well-being is the primary ethical consideration when recommending night guards. Patients who grind their teeth may not always be aware of the potential damage, and dental professionals play a crucial role in educating them about the risks and benefits of using night guards.
In conclusion, dental ethics is a cornerstone of quality oral healthcare. Whether it involves procedures like gum grafting and root canals or everyday products like toothpaste and night guards, ethical considerations should guide dental professionals in their interactions with patients. Upholding principles such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice ensures that patients receive the best possible care while maintaining their trust in the dental profession. Ultimately, the ethical practice of dentistry not only preserves oral health but also promotes the overall well-being of patients.
Munster, Indiana
Munster is a suburban town in North Township, Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is in the Chicago metropolitan area, approximately 30 miles (48 km) southeast of the Chicago Loop, and shares municipal boundaries with Hammond to the north, Highland to the east, Dyer and Schererville to the south, and Lansing and Lynwood directly west of the Illinois border. Its population was 23,603 at the 2010 US Census.
Geography
Munster is located at 41°56′45″N 87°51′25″W (41.551457, -87.501431),[7] at a point on an ancient shoreline of Lake Michigan (known as the Calumet Shoreline) which is today Ridge Road. This ridge runs east and west through the north part of town, hence the town’s nickname “Town on the Ridge”.
The town’s boundaries contain three small lakes, one of which, located within Centennial Park, is marshy and undeveloped. Munster is bordered on the north by the Little Calumet River, a shallow river surrounded by a thin strip of wooded area; and on the West by the Illinois state line.
According to the 2010 census, Munster has a total area of 7.65 square miles (19.81 km2), of which 7.57 square miles (19.61 km2) (or 98.95%) is land and 0.08 square miles (0.21 km2) (or 1.05%) is water.[8]
History
The Ibach House and Stallbohm Barn-Kaske House are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.[9][10]
Early history
The earliest known inhabitants of the area were the Potawatomi. Although a village did not exist in what was to become Munster’s town boundaries, a trail along the dry sandy ridge now known as Ridge Road was well traveled by the indigenous inhabitants. Today, Munster’s downtown area, the Town Hall, Police and Fire Department headquarters, the Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, and the Munster Post Office are all situated on Ridge Road.[11]
In the late 17th and early 18th centuries, the area that is today Munster was part of land claimed by France as French territory. In the 1760s the British claimed the land where the Potawatomi lived as part of the British Empire. Twenty years later George Rogers Clark overran the British in the American Revolutionary War, claiming the land for the newly independent United States of America.
In the 1850s, as the numbers of Native Americans dwindled, pioneer settlers began to inhabit the area which would become Munster to grow crops and provide dairy products to the profitable markets in Chicago.[1]
When Jacob Munster, a young man from the Netherlands who until the 1860s spelled his surname “Monster,”[12] opened an area general store complete with a U.S. postal station on the back, the local farmers and settlers came to rely on the postal station, which soon became a United States Post Office. The post office was named Munster, as it was located in Jacob Munster’s general store.
Before long more and more people moved to the “Munster” area, and in 1907 Munster was incorporated as a town, with 76 residents voting “yes” for the incorporation and 28 voting “no.”[11]
Modern times
Munster soon became a booming town that attracted many people. Munster saw difficult times through the rough years of the Great Depression. During the Cold War, Munster served as the site of the Nike-Zeus Missile defense base C-46. The site was closed in 1971 and is now under private ownership.[13]
In September 2008, Munster’s northern portions suffered flooding resulting from the impact of Hurricane Ike, which caused the Little Calumet River to overflow. A main break occurred in the levee located near the intersection of Calumet Avenue and River Drive in the northwest quadrant of the town. Munster has requested the Army Corps of Engineers to elevate the levee in low-lying areas. The levee improvements have been completed and the majority of homes destroyed have been rebuilt, in most cases, with larger, more amenity-filled homes.[14][15]
The 2010 Comprehensive Plan for Munster’s next twenty years includes plans for a new town center with shopping and dining to be organized around a proposed train station.[16]
Demographics
As of 2011, the median income for a household in the town was $75,349 while the mean income for a household in the town was $97,222. The median income for a family was $95,108, and the mean income for a family is the highest in Lake County at $117,985. The estimated per capita income for the town was $36,914. About 2.3% of families and 3.1% of the population were estimated to be below the poverty line.[17]
2010 census
As of the census[4] of 2010, there were 23,603 people, 9,015 households, and 6,540 families residing in the town. The population density was 3,118.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,203.9/km2). There were 9,393 housing units at an average density of 1,240.8 per square mile (479.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 85.6% White, 3.5% African American, 0.2% Native American, 5.8% Asian, 3.1% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.2% of the population.
There were 9,015 households, of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.1% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.5% were non-families. 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.10.
The median age in the town was 44.8 years. 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.1% were from 25 to 44; 30.9% were from 45 to 64; and 18.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.0% male and 52.0% female. The average was done in 1999.
2000 census
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 21,511 people, 8,091 households, and 6,141 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,852.8 inhabitants per square mile (1,101.5/km2). There were 8,339 housing units at an average density of 1,105.9 per square mile (427.0/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 92.28% White, 1.03% African American, 0.06% Native American, 4.49% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.10% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.88% of the population.
There were 8,091 households, out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 65.5% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.1% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.3% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $63,243, and the median income for a family was $74,255. Males had a median income of $53,387 versus $34,490 for females. The per capita income for the town was $30,952. About 2.8% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 2.9% of those age 65 or over.
Political affiliation
Munster consistently leans towards the Democratic Party. Federally, Munster is situated in Indiana’s 1st congressional district, which is represented by Democrat Frank J. Mrvan. Munster also supports Democrats in Presidential elections; Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden both defeated Republican Donald Trump by margins as high as 50 percentage points.[18]
Businesses and attractions
The town is home to a number of local, regional and national companies and extensive community resources. Among them are the Community Hospital, the Center for Visual and Performing Arts, The Times of Northwest Indiana newspaper, a PepsiCo bottling and distribution facility, a Whole Foods Market distribution center, the Community Veterans Memorial, the LEED-certified Centennial Park and Golf Course, Kaske House Museum at Heritage Park, Bieker Woods Nature Area, eleven miles of bike paths, an innovative Public Art and Sculpture Program, the new Munster Music Festival, the Munster Centennials Vintage Baseball Team, and the Babe Ruth Baseball.
Munster is also home to the Three Floyds Brewing Company, a microbrewery and craft beer-drinker’s destination noted for its “Dark Lord Day” event, which draws 6,000 people every April.[19][20]
Lake Business Center
In spring 2011, Simborg Development revitalized plans for a $60 million renovation of the 72-acre Lake Business Center site fronting Calumet Avenue that will open new commercial opportunities for the Town of Munster. This development, originally to be named Munster Town Center that would have created a mixed-use center of retail shops and restaurants, commercial offices, medical facilities as well as an extended-stay hotel, was modified to maintain the warehouse facility and maintain a high-tech image exterior for the development.
Current tenants include DaVita Dialysis, MAC Medical Supply Co. Inc., Tec Air Inc., and Community Hospital Therapy Center while Noodles & Company and Meatheads have their restaurants in a two-unit outlot building. Additional tenants include Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, as well as Starbucks and Potbelly which each have standalone restaurants just south of the Noodles & Meatheads building.[21][22] A Homewood Suites by Hilton hotel anchors the north end of the development.[23]
Centennial Village
One of Munster’s newest redevelopment projects is the area immediately surrounding the former Munster Steel site, located to the north of the town’s Centennial Park.[24] The area, named “Centennial Village,” will be a mixed-use transit-oriented development that will feature both retail and multi-unit residential housing once it is completed.[25][26] The Calumet Avenue grade separation has been planned since the early 1940s, with Henry Ford leading the change. However, American involvement in World War II and the creation of the federal highway system stopped these plans until the present day.[27]
The project will be completed in two phases; it is part of the larger 45th Avenue/Calumet Avenue underpass and realignment project in which Phase 1 includes extending 45th Avenue east into the Centennial Village development with two new stoplights and creating an underpass under the Canadian National railroad tracks to align with 45th at Columbia Avenue. Meanwhile, Phase 2 includes creating an underpass at Calumet Avenue.[25] So far, Phase 1 has been completed.[28]
Transportation
The commercial airport closest to Munster is the Gary/Chicago International Airport in Gary, but most Munster residents and visitors travel from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport or the Chicago Midway International Airport. Lansing Municipal Airport, located immediately west of Munster in Lansing, Illinois, serves the area’s general aviation market.
Munster lies just south of the Borman Expressway (I-80/94). Calumet Avenue is a major North-South artery in the town, and becomes U.S. Route 41 just north of the Borman. Interstate 65, the Indiana Toll Road, and U.S. Routes 12, 20, and 30 are within a 20-mile (32 km) radius.
Education
The School Town of Munster is the town’s public school system. All five schools in the system are recognized as Indiana Blue Ribbon schools and have been awarded five-star ratings. Munster High School is one of several schools from Indiana on Newsweek‘s 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 Top Schools list. The school is also ranked on The Washington Post‘s 2011 “The High School Challenge”.[29] Additionally, Munster was cited by Neighborhood Scout for offering the best combination of public school quality and affordable neighborhoods in the Chicago Metropolitan Area.[30]
In 1875, Munster’s school board (which at the time was not officially designated School Town) operated a single three-room school house located on the corner of Calumet Avenue and Ridge Road. According to local records, enrollment did not exceed 50 students in any given year before 1920. In 1913, the school board decided to add a second school building due to increased enrollment. The new Munster school was dedicated in 1915. By the 1940s, the building had expanded to include twelve classrooms, a new gymnasium, and a 60-seat basement auditorium. The school was renamed Lanier School in 1950.
These new additions were not enough to accommodate Munster’s rapidly growing population. By 1948, James B. Eads Elementary School was built on Harrison Avenue, for students residing west of Calumet Avenue. In 1952 Earnest R. Elliot Elementary School was built on White Oak Avenue. With the two new elementary schools in operation, Lanier School became a Junior High School (grades 7-9). Following graduation from grade 9, students attended high schools in either Hammond or Highland to complete grades 10-12.
A new, modern facility was planned for the junior high students in the late 1950s. Wilbur Wright Junior High opened in 1960, causing Lanier to downsize to an elementary school. Several classrooms and a resource center were added in the following years. Amid the continuing expansion of the school system, the board gave serious consideration to adding a high school. The initial proposal encompassed a spacious building designed for 1,200 students and included an athletic facility with a swimming pool. However, the cost of more than $6.2 million did not appeal to the public. In response, a modified design was submitted, and construction began in June 1965. The doors to the new high school opened to students in September 1966.
In 1969, a new elementary school was added. Frank H. Hammond boasted 25 classrooms, an auditorium, and a learning center. When the outdated Lanier school’s enrollment dipped in the late 1970s, the board decided to close the facility in 1980.
Modernization
As of 2011, two of Munster’s three elementary schools have since been completely rebuilt; the new buildings for James B. Eads Elementary and Earnest R. Elliot Elementary were completed in 2003 and 2006, respectively. Wilbur Wright Middle School has undergone significant expansions and renovations as well. Munster High School dedicated a state-of-the-art football, track and soccer complex in 2010, as well as a $17,000,000 Aquatic Center in January 2011. The latter facility is one of two scholastic aquatic centers in Indiana and the only one that is connected to a high school (the other is IUPUI’s natatorium). In 2012, a two-story classroom addition was constructed at Munster High School to accommodate the growing student population.
The School Town of Munster implemented a curriculum/technology initiative termed 1 to 1 Technology for the 2011-2012 school year. Designed to enhance the school system’s instructional technology infrastructure, the program provides leases on laptop computers to all students in grades 5-12. Initially focused on STEM fields curricula, the impact of the initiative is eventually expected to reach all subjects, and will better accommodate web-based student assessments.[31]
Compton and Broomhead Dental Center
Address: 901 Fran-lin Pkwy, Munster, IN 46321, United States
Call: +1 (219)-836-0460
Email: office@munsterdentist.com
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