Global Dental Ambassadors
ethical values & processes
The Global Dental Ambassadors (GDA) is committed to ethical values and processes, based upon the five fundamental principles from the Code for the American Dental Association (ADA):
In addition, GDA is dedicated to the four ethical principles to guide the development of its impact-driven short term experiences in global health (STEGH), as outlined in an article authored by Melby et al.
The mission of GDA is to participate in academic and cultural exchanges among oral health professionals and institutions around the globe.
As well, GDA is supportive, inclusive, and an ally of members of marginalized communities including, and not limited to, minority status due to age; race; culture; language; socioeconomic level; gender identity; sexual orientation; military service experience; or challenges with mental, cognitive, visual, hearing, and physical conditions or illnesses.
As such, and with the preceding ethical guidance, GDA-volunteers have independence and the option to participate in GDA programs to countries of their choice. If after independent research of a country’s current safety risk status, a GDA-volunteer determines a particular country’s governmental policies, political position, public health status, and/or cultural beliefs and practices present a safety risk due to the GDA-volunteer’s values, beliefs, or behaviors; GDA encourages the GDA-volunteer to exercise their independence of choice for the level of participation in a GDA program in the particular country.
- Autonomy (independence)
- Example: GDA-volunteers have independence and freedom to self-assess the level of personal risks to their health, welfare, and safety for deciding in which GDA programs they wish to participate, as these risks align with their personal values, beliefs, and behaviors
- Nonmaleficence (do no harm)
- Example: GDA-volunteers commit themselves to not inflict intentional harm and not engage in actions that risk harming others
- Beneficence (do good)
- Example: GDA-volunteers dedicate themselves to contribute to the welfare of all participants of GDA and host institution programs
- Justice (fairness)
- Example: GDA-volunteers commit themselves to treat everyone on an equal basis
- Veracity (truthfulness)
- Example: GDA-volunteers dedicate themselves to communicate truthfully with all parties
In addition, GDA is dedicated to the four ethical principles to guide the development of its impact-driven short term experiences in global health (STEGH), as outlined in an article authored by Melby et al.
- Principle 1: Skills building in cross-cultural effectiveness and cultural humility are critical components of successful STEGHs
- Principle 2: STEGHs must foster bidirectional participatory relationships
- Principle 3: STEGHs should be part of longitudinal engagement that promotes sustainable local capacity building and health systems strengthening
- Principle 4: STEGHs must be embedded within established, community-led efforts focused on sustainable development and measurable community health gains
The mission of GDA is to participate in academic and cultural exchanges among oral health professionals and institutions around the globe.
As well, GDA is supportive, inclusive, and an ally of members of marginalized communities including, and not limited to, minority status due to age; race; culture; language; socioeconomic level; gender identity; sexual orientation; military service experience; or challenges with mental, cognitive, visual, hearing, and physical conditions or illnesses.
As such, and with the preceding ethical guidance, GDA-volunteers have independence and the option to participate in GDA programs to countries of their choice. If after independent research of a country’s current safety risk status, a GDA-volunteer determines a particular country’s governmental policies, political position, public health status, and/or cultural beliefs and practices present a safety risk due to the GDA-volunteer’s values, beliefs, or behaviors; GDA encourages the GDA-volunteer to exercise their independence of choice for the level of participation in a GDA program in the particular country.