Matilda, a dental hygienist, learns that her best friend's husband Jack has recently been diagnosed as HIV positive but has not told his wife Annie. Matilda must decide whether to tell Annie herself or involve others like Dr. Wisdom. She discusses it with Dr. Wisdom who contacts the local Board of Health to inform Annie anonymously according to policy. Annie is notified and begins couples therapy. Matilda is glad she found a way to inform Annie without damaging her friendship. The lesson is that professionals should avoid conflicts between personal and professional relationships.

1. A Moral Dilemma
Angela M.
Brooke
Nichole
Fabio
Monday, February 18, 2013

2. Introduction
Jack Bean- 43 year old male
Patient of record @ Dr. Wisdoms office for
past 7 years
Matilda, RDH of the office, is best-friends
with Jack’s wife, Annie.
Monday, February 18, 2013

3. Dilemma
Matilda has been a dental hygienist for 10
years and works full time at Dr Wisdoms
office. Her best friend`s husband, Jack Bean,
has been a patient of record for the past
seven years. Upon updating his medical
history at a recent visit, Jack stated that he
was HIV-positive. After the initial shock,
Matilda asked Jack how long he had been
aware of his current health status. He told
her that he had just been diagnosed HIV-
positive within the past month. He also
informed Matilda that his wife, Annie, was
not aware of his condition.
Monday, February 18, 2013

4. Does Jack’s wife have a right to know her
husband`s HIV status?
Is Matilda the appropriate person to tell
her?
Does she have to act alone? Can others help
her?
Should Matilda involve Dr. Wisdom?
Is the dentist required by law to report
Jack’s HIV status?
Monday, February 18, 2013

5. Pro vs. Cons
Pros:
-Getting a chance to protect your friend from getting HIV
-Reporting to the local board of health, is ethically the right thing
to do
-You aren’t breaking any core values
Cons:
-Friend feels betrayed that you didn’t tell her yourself
-Friend contracts HIV in the process of waiting for the local board
of health to inform her
-Making a wrong decision could lead to the loss of your best
friend, career, and/or loss of societal trust
Monday, February 18, 2013

6. Course of Action
Matilda made the decision to tell Dr. Wisdom about her
dilemma. After a discussion with the dentist, the dentist
called the local Board of Health for assistance. The
local Board of Health should have a specific policy and
procedure concerning partner notification. This policy
would allow a third party to inform Jack’s wife, without
identifying Jack, that she has been in contact with HIV.
The local Board of Health would not identify who
reported the contact. Some states do not require
dentists to report cases of HIV, but they do require
physicians to report such cases. Whatever the law is in
your state, a call to the local Board of Health is
appropriate.
Monday, February 18, 2013

7. Results
Annie is now aware of Husbands condition
Matilda found out they are receiving couples
therapy
Friendship is not affected and Matilda is
thankful she was able to find out!!
Monday, February 18, 2013

8. Lesson Learned
Matilda’s biggest lesson here, is that she
can’t be both a professional AND a friend.
In fact, if she did not know the couple she
wouldn’t feel the need to inform the
significant other.
The reason it is a moral dilemma is beacuse
she does know the couple, if she didn’t there
would be NO DILEMMA.
Monday, February 18, 2013