Literature review

PLEASE READ FULL ASSIGNMENT!!!

The goal of this project is for you to take the problem/issue/question from your intended field that you worked with in Project 2, and use it to develop an academic literature review and proposal of the genre this literature review is MEANT for (i.e. this literature review would go into a grant application, or a study proposal, or an IRB application, etc.).Literature reviews are a particular genre that helps researchers across disciplines position their work within larger scholarly conversations, so that readers can understand the relevance of a project or argument.  Often composed as parts of larger projects (to frame research proposals, as an overview of best practices, as part of a longer publication or as a standalone meta-review), writers use literature reviews to synthesize information, compare and contrast ideas, and clearly describe relationships between well-cited texts to present their own work accurately and persuasively in the context of the scholarly conversation. Ito draw on some of those methods to conduct your research for this .The skill of writing this common scholarly genre is one that will be of use to writers in nearly all disciplines. We will engage with focused analysis of this genre to develop familiarity with the specific writerly moves needed to compose it with confidence.

Learning Objectives

• Conduct secondary research to investigate a research question, problem or issue in a profession, field, or discourse community (RESEARCH).
• Analyze the genre of the literature review from the student’s discipline or profession to understand the ways professionals in the field engage with and rhetorical conventions they use to communicate their research and findings (READ).
• Use a flexible writing process and varied technologies to compose a scholarly literature review that attends to the expected organization, format, and style of the assignment ().
• Use reflective writing to describe developing knowledge about writing (especially writing in one’s discipline or profession) and about oneself as a writer (including one’s ability to plan, monitor, and evaluate one’s writing process and texts) (REFLECT).

Task

????

For this , you will continue your work with the research problem/issue/question you’ve been working with in Projects 1 and 2.  For most, you will begin by presenting a brief introduction of the major historical developments contributing to this topic in your field, and then spend the rest of the Literature Review mapping out the contemporary work being done on the topic. Alternative approaches are certainly valid but should be decided in consultation with your instructor.By the time you begin working on drafting your literature review, you will have already done most of the significant work required for this project. You will have identified and revised research questions, identified key texts, created a working bibliography, and organized notes to help you synthesize sources and identify gaps, questions, problems, or tensions in the scholarly conversation.To develop a revised, literature review , we will continue to move through several smaller, yet still formal scaffolding steps:

• Developing a detailed genre analysis of literature reviews 
• Examining syntax and transitions at a sentence level 
• Submitting a draft for peer review, and
• Using that peer and teacher feedback to work through – and sentence-level revision and to craft the literature review for a specific audience and purpose.

In your literature review, you will follow the standard genre conventions uncovered during our early analyses. At minimum, your review should include a discussion of the central topic you are investigating and at least two sub-topics that help you focus your research, but it can have more.As implied above, we will review examples of published literature reviews to analyze how writers organize discussions of a major topic and then help readers navigate through a set of related sub-topics. We will also discuss how to frame sources such that readers understand the “broader conversation” about these topics and sub-topics, and how to establish a “scholarly niche” for yourself–a corner of the conversation you would be interested in entering as a professional.

Reflective Memo

“I suppose I think this reflection is so important because without it, we live the stories others have scripted for us: in a most unreflective, unhealthy way. And I think the stories we make-whether inside the classroom or out, whether externalized or not-construct us, one by one by one. Cumulatively. So I think it’s important to tell lots of stories where we get to construct many selves for us to attempt, some we continue to inhabit.”Kathleen Yancey, Reflection in the Writing Classroom, p. 53Your final  for this project must also include a 350- to 500-word reflective memo addressed to either yourself or your instructor. This memo will tell the story of your learning and writing during this project. Please address the following prompts in your reflection:

• What were your personal goals for the project? How would you rate your progress toward those goals?
• How would you rate your progress toward achieving the project’s learning outcomes (listed below)?
• Tell your story of learning in this project. Relate one or more key moments from class, from your independent work, or from communicating with peers or the instructor. How has your work on this project connected with what you already knew/know? Is this what you expected to learn? Why or why not? What else do you need to learn? How will you go about learning it?

Evaluation

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• Write an introduction that includes brief context and a mapping statement for this literature review.
• Integrate discussion of a minimum of 8 scholarly sources relevant to your research question.
• Write body  (as many as needed) synthesizing the secondary sources you’ve located and evaluated for this project
• Write a paragraph or two in which you indicate/propose a specific academic genre where you might plan for this literature review to go, as well as providing a rationale for why this proposed genre would be a good fit for your project.
• Cite your sources, both throughout the project and in a works cited or references section, using the citation conventions appropriate to your field (I.e., MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.)
• Design and format your project for accessibility. Use section (H1) and (if necessary) subsection (H2) headers to organize your content.
• Revise and edit your writing, preparing a clear final draft (2500-3000 words) for submission.
• Reflect on your research and writing process and learning and compose your post-project reflective memo following the guidelines for that task. Submit your memo to Canvas along with your final version of your project

https://docs.google.com/file/d/1tynR9HbyiWmNZ-mTmep1UGMhiBqIuvXD/edit?usp=docslist_api&filetype=msword
this is the intro, be sure to follow directions very carefully and relate it to the research question in my previous projects.

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Hawra alabdulla

Dr.Varty

ENG 3010

26 January 2025

Discourse community of dental hygiene

For my research essay, I’ll be focusing on the dental hygiene field. This discourse
community is one I plan on entering in the future. As someone who has many family members in
this field or in the dental field in general, I have a good amount of knowledge on this topic. To
get more information on my essay, I’m going to approach my brother-in-law for an interview and
pose the question, do you feel comfortable in your field?

I once was at my sister’s house, and my brother-in-law had just come home from work
with a glum-looking face on. My sister immediately noticed and asked him what happened. He
told her he thought he hated his job. I looked at him, confused, he used to be so excited to
graduate and work with his degree. What happened? He mentioned how his superiors would treat
him differently and would constantly be harsher on him than anyone else. This raised the
question for me: was it because he’s clearly Middle Eastern, or was it because his name was
Mohammed? My brother-in-law engaged with dentists and other hygienists. He would say he
puts all he can into his work and to his patients. I know these are topics that matter because, in
this day and age, we shouldn’t be experiencing discrimination in the workplace.

To see how my brother-in-law felt at this discourse community I decided the first piece of
research I would do is an interview. The first question I asked him was: Were you mistreated
during the program? He answered pretty clearly and said no. My next question was, would you
say this discourse community is comfortably yours? He said not really, this community is
predominantly white females. Next I asked do you think it’ll be easier if I’m a woman in the
field? He said possibly, but the fact that you’re a hijabi might cause some discrimination. Then I
asked him, If you could go back, would you change your career? He said even though I’ve had
bad moments I do like my job. Next, Do you think their mistreatment is purposeful or it’s
underlying racism? He said it could be a little bit of both but people won’t want to admit that it’s

Mobile User

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racism. And my last question was, what should I do differently than you? He said he couldn’t tell
me that because everyone has their own experience.

Dental hygienists all form a distinct discourse community with a shared goal: their
commitment to advancing and caring for oral health. An important part of this community is the
ADHA, the american dental hygiene association. This association consists of over 185,000
dental hygienists who all share the common goal of oral health. Through the journal of dental
hygiene I explored topics like fluoride treatment , patient compliance and more. Our current
administration in the United States would like to remove fluoride from water which increases
cavity rates. They wish to do this under the idea that they want chemical free water. If you were
to ask any person in the dental field they would be able to tell you how ridiculous that statement
is and would only take oral care backwards.

My last source would be from a local clinic of a hygienist I shadowed. She took her time
to explain to me everything within her discourse community. As a hijabi woman in the field, she
and I share a very similar experience. Except her experience would be what my future might
look like. She told me one particular thing that stood out to me, she said in this community she
wasn’t only working against low quality or bad oral health. As a hijabi woman in this field she
felt as though she had to consistently prove to people that she was just as good as anyone else at
her job. She said her experience was a bit harder than expected because she’s had patients who
would refuse treatment as long as she was their hygienist. I asked her what she did in those
situations, she told me “what could I do but step back and honor their request?” Hearing her
experience didn’t discourage me though, rather it motivated me to prove people like that wrong.
My hijab wasn’t a testimony on how well I will be able to do my job and the fact that people do
believe that is truly saddening.

My findings from the two interviews and journal I read was that people like me, my
brother-in-law, and Fatima, the dental hygienist I spoke to, would likely always face that
discrimination. But what I found more interesting is regardless of those hardships they would all
have one thing in common in this discourse community: their love for oral health. These
professionals always have to adapt with new technology, advance patient care, and maintain their
professionalism.

In conclusion, this research essay showed me that dental hygienists are way more than
just the people who clean your teeth. They are educators,advocates for oral health, researches,
they offer so much more than what we thought to the community. Reflecting on my research, I’m

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amazed by this discourse community’s continual learning and inclusivity . With that being said
I’m left with 3 questions for the remainder of the semester, the first one being how can dental
hygienists reach more underserved communities? My second question is what role will AI have
in the advancement of patient care? My last question is what can cultural competent training do
to improve patient trust and outcomes in places that aren’t as used to diversity?

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Reflective memo

Goals and Achievement

My primary goal was to familiarize myself with the dental hygiene discourse community,

the potentials and challenges it as a field offers especially to people of my background. I also

sought to develop my ability to conduct research and writing in a narrative format. To that end, I

would categorize my progress towards these goals as significant. The interviews conducted, and

the journal articles read expanded my knowledge base, and the draft that I prepared deepened my

understanding while helping me to structure my insights. There is still scope to be more effective

in my writing with respect to clarity and engagement, however.

Progress Made Towards Learning Outcomes

This project required me to engage in critical discourse analysis, appropriate research

techniques, and organize my arguments in an effective manner. I think I have made relevant

progress towards these outcomes. For example, their analysis of the interviews allowed me to

relate individual’s experiences to the broader picture. Utilization of the ADHA journal was a

good demonstration of the fact that I am able to use credible literature in my narrative. On the

other hand, the improvement I want to make is to the ability to evaluate how systemic issues

affect the discourse communities.

During my learning, my brother in law’s interview was quite revealing. His anecdotes

brought forth the detailed patterns of discrimination that exist within the dental profession. This

encounter forced me to question how their culture is likely to influence their professional

identity. My exchange with Fatima, the dental hygienist brought into focus the need to be

resilient and the need for representation in overcoming these obstacles. These conversations

made sense with what I had learnt about cultural prejudice.

I was unaware of the degree of disenfranchisement minority groups encounter in

professional spaces. This understanding has made me think deeper about inclusivity and

advocacy in compassion. There is a lot more that I need to learn about how to effectively combat

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these barriers, including cultural sensitivity and policy changes. I intend to review more literature

and try to find ways to speak to those who practice so that I can learn how it is done in reality.

This project is commendable and it has uplifted me to take some steps towards developing and

advocating for inclusiveness and equitability within the dental hygiene profession.

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CITATIONS:

“Fluoride Varnishes in Caries Prevention.” Journal of Dental Hygiene, vol. 78, no. 1, 2004, pp.
10–15. https://jdh.adha.org/external-ref?access_num=15467304&link_type=MED

https://jdh.adha.org/external-ref?access_num=15467304&link_type=MED

DENTAL
ETHICS

By: Hawra Alabdulla

Mobile User

TABLE OF
CONTENTS

Introduction

Introduction to Ethical
Practices in Dentistry

1

Narrowed Focus:
Aesthetic Dentistry

4
Problem
Statement:

Ethical Conflicts in
Dentistry

2

Research Strategies and
Source

5

Refined Research
Question:

Are aesthetic
dental

professionals
ethical in patient

care?

3

Key numbers

6

TABLE OF
CONTENTS

Ethical Implications and
Overtreatment Concern

7
Conclusion:

Key Insights and
Future Direction

8

Introduction to Ethical Practices in Dentistry
Understanding the Foundations of Dental Ethics

Overview of ethical practices

Ethical practices in dentistry
encompass a range of principles that
guide professionals in their
interactions with patients, ensuring
respect, fairness, and
transparency in all procedures.

Importance of patient care

At the core of ethical dentistry is a
commitment to patient-centered care,
which prioritizes the health and
wellbeing of patients above all else,
fostering trust and long-term
relationships.

Consent in dentistry

Informed consent is a critical
component, entailing that patients
are fully educated about their
treatment options and the potential
risks involved, allowing
for autonomous decision-making.

As we dive into the realm of ethical practices in dentistry, it is crucial to understand
the foundational principles that guide the profession. Ethical practices encompass
respect for patient autonomy, ensuring informed consent, and promoting honest
communication. The importance of patient care cannot be overstated; it lays the
groundwork for trust and rapport, which are indispensable in the doctor-patient
relationship. Moreover, informed consent serves as a protective measure for both
patients and practitioners, ensuring that individuals are fully informed about the
treatment they are receiving and empowering them to make educated choices about
their dental care.

Problem Statement: Ethical Conflicts in Dentistry
Navigating Complex Situations in Dental Ethics

Ethical conflicts overview

Dentists often face ethical dilemmas
when balancing professional duties
with patient desires, leading to
conflicts over treatment priorities and
recommendations

Informed consent issues

Challenges in obtaining informed
consent arise from varied patient
understanding, leading to potential
exploitation or misunderstanding of
procedures and risks.

Impact of social media on
aesthetics

The rise of social media has
transformed patient expectations,
sometimes pressuring
practitioners to conform to trends
rather than prioritize ethical
consideration.

Today, I confront various ethical conflicts in the field of dentistry that challenge our integrity and commitment to
patients. These conflicts often arise when practitioners are torn between their responsibility to recommend
treatments based on clinical necessity and patients’ desires influenced by social trends, particularly as shaped by
social media. Furthermore, the transparent requirement of informed consent can sometimes be an elusive goal, as
the differing levels of patient comprehension can lead to detrimental misunderstandings regarding the implications
of various treatments. This not only places ethical dilemmas at the forefront but also highlights the overarching
impacts that social media trends are increasingly having on patient expectations and treatment choices in aesthetic
dentistry. Infection, nerve damage, and allergic reactions are just SOME of the risks of cosmetic surgeries, you
won’t see that tik tok doctor tell you about this will you? Over 44.7% patients who received veneers complain of
discomfort and overall have a negative opinion on their choice.

Refined research question:

Are aesthetic dental professionals adhering to ethical standards
in patient care?

This question addresses the integrity of practices in a field where
social media shapes patient expectations and demands. I refined
my research to this specific question taking in my classmates
recommendations during our circle time. To be honest, I switched
to aesthetic dentistry last minute because the more I dug, the
more information I found.

Photo by Quang Tri NGUYEN on Unsplash

Trends in cosmetic dentistry

The rising popularity of cosmetic
procedures reflects evolving societal
standards of beauty and the
increasing demand for
aesthetic enhancements.

Teeth whitening and
veneers

Common aesthetic treatments,
such as teeth whitening and
veneers, epitomize the intersection
of ethical analytics and patient
desires in modern dentistry.

Narrowed Focus: Aesthetic Dentistry
Trends and Ethical Implications in Cosmetic Procedures

Social media’s role in patient
expectations

These platforms amplify aesthetic
standards, setting unrealistic
benchmarks for dental outcomes and
creating pressure on practitioners to
deliver.58.3% of patients rely on social
media for dental information, which
shapes their treatment choices,
highlighting a shift in trust from traditional
sources to online platforms.

In my narrowed exploration of aesthetic dentistry, I was confronted with notable trends shaping
contemporary practice, such as increasing demand for procedures like teeth whitening and veneers.
These advancements illustrate not only shifts in consumer preferences but also ethical concerns
regarding the impact of these practices on patient health and expectations. As social media further
amplifies and propagates idealized beauty standards, dental professionals are faced with heightened
pressure to fulfill these often unrealistic desires. This intersection raises critical questions about the extent
to which cosmetic enhancements should be pursued in light of ethical patient care principles.

Research Strategies and Sources
Framework for Ethical Inquiry in Aesthetic
Dentistry

Case studies:

Exploring real-world case studies
allows for practical insights into
ethical dilemmas faced by dental
professionals in real clinical
settings

Peer-reviewed journals:
Utilizing peer-reviewed journals
ensures that our research is grounded
in scientifically validated findings while
reflecting contemporary ethical
standards.

Ethical guides from PubMed and
ADA:
Resources such as ethical guides from
PubMed and the American Dental
Association offer essential frameworks
for navigating patient care dilemmas in
aesthetics

To navigate the complex ethical landscape within aesthetic dentistry, my research will employ a multifaceted
strategy grounded in reputable sources. Reviewing peer-reviewed journals is paramount, as these publications
leave us with sourced evidence and discussions surrounding dentistry ethics as substantiated by research.
Incorporating case studies will provide a practical lens through which to analyze the ethical dilemmas encountered
by dental professionals in everyday practice. Furthermore, referring to ethical guidelines from trusted organizations,
such as the American Dental Association and PubMed, will further anchor our inquiry in established ethical
standards, ensuring our approaches are not only reflective but also prescriptive in guiding practitioners towards best
practices in patient care.

KEY
NUMBERS

58.3% of patients rely on
social media for dental

information

58.3%

Veneer requests.

11.9%

90.7% of dental practitioners
report increased requests for

aesthetic treatments

90.7%

Teeth whitening requests.

54.7%

Ethical Implications and Overtreatment Concerns
Navigating the Complexities of Cosmetic Enhancements

Misleading marketing tactics:
Cosmetic dentistry marketing can
sometimes exploit naive patients,
promoting procedures as
‘necessary’ rather than
highlighting them as elective
enhancements; this misrepresents
ethical obligations.

Patient autonomy issues: While
patients have the right to seek
aesthetic treatments, it is crucial that
dentists also promote informed
decision-making, preserving patient
autonomy in the face of commercial
influences.

Financial incentives and
professional integrity:
The pressures from financial incentives
can lead to a conflict of interest for
dental professionals, raising questions
about whether patient well-being is
genuinely prioritized over profit
motives.The ethical implications surrounding the aesthetic dentistry landscape are multifaceted, often

resulting in dilemmas that challenge both professional integrity and patient welfare. Misleading
marketing practices can trick patients into believing that certain cosmetic procedures are
necessary when, in fact, they are elective, posing a significant ethical concern. Moreover, while
patients have autonomy in their treatment choices, it is imperative that dental professionals
ensure informed decision-making that encourages their patients to understand the implications
fully. Finally, the potential for financial incentives may compromise the ethical standards within
aesthetic practices, creating a delicate balance between profitability and patient care that must
be critically examined.

Research gaps and excluded voices

The current literature primarily represents the perspectives of dental professionals and
industry stakeholders, while patient voices particularly those impacted by overtreatment are
underrepresented. There is also limited representation of marginalized communities who may
face different ethical challenges in accessing aesthetic dentistry. I would like to see more of
this from a patient’s point of view considering ethical dilemmas in dentistry have been around
for close to 200 years.

Conclusion: Key Insights and Future Directions
Reflecting on Ethics in Aesthetic Dentistry

Summary of ethical practices:

An overview of the critical ethical
practices reviewed highlights the
ongoing necessity to balance
patient care with aesthetic desires
in dentistry

Importance of informed consent:

Informed consent remains
foundational in ethical dentistry,
ensuring patients are knowledgeable
and comfortable with their treatment
choices

Need for further research:

As the field evolves with new practices
and technologies, further research is
needed to address emerging ethical
concerns and continuously foster best
practices

In conclusion, our examination of ethical practices in aesthetic dentistry has revealed critical insights that
underscore the delicate balance professionals must maintain between patient care and the pressures of
cosmetic demands. We reaffirm the foundational significance of informed consent throughout this
practice, as it empowers patients and promotes transparency. However, it is clear that as the dental
landscape evolves, so too must our understanding of the ethical ramifications that arise within it.
Continued research is essential to navigate these complex challenges, ensuring that ethical standards
are upheld and that the integrity of patient care is preserved in the face of changing societal
expectations.

CITATIONS

PMC.NCBI.NLM.NIH.GOV. (2022). The impact of social media on aesthetic dentistry: Perceptions, trends, and implications.
Journal of Aesthetic Dentistry, 12(5), 45-52.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9602612/

Lacantera Dental. (2021). The impact of social media on cosmetic dentistry. Lacantera Dental Blog.
https://www.lacanteradental.com/post/the-impact-of-social-media-on-cosmetic-dentistry

BMC Medical Ethics. (2025). Ethical considerations in aesthetic dentistry marketing practices: A review of commercial
pressures and patient autonomy. BMC Medical Ethics, 26(1).
https://bmcmedethics.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12910-025-01169-6

Dental Update. (2021). Ethical marketing in aesthetic dentistry: Part 2. Dental Update, 48(6), 342-348. https://www.dental-
update.co.uk/content/cosmetic-dentistry/ethical-marketing-in-aesthetic-esthetic-or-cosmetic-dentistry-part-2/:

Graskemper, J. P. (2011). Ethical advertising in dentistry. Journal of the American College of Dentists, 78(1), 14–18.
https://www.dentalethics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/jacd-76-1-graskemper

The Doctors Company. (2021). Unethical treatment leads to lawsuit and dental board action. The Doctors Company.
https://www.thedoctors.com/articles/unethical-treatment-leads-to-lawsuit-and-dental-board-action/