The professional secret and its importance to nurses and dentists practice

Abstract

This article presents the definition of secrecy and professional secrecy in health area, as well as the criteria which prescribe it, indicating its importance for nurses and dentists. These definitions were based on extensive bibliographical research, including the legislation, electronic items in academic databases and printed literature. The discussion points out that confidentiality in health services regarding the information of the users is provided by law and by the advice of professional ethics. This legal and normative framework defines the professional duty of loyalty towards the user, emphasizing the importance of preserving it. The discussion also shows that secrecy can be broken with the permission of the user or in situations supported legally considered as just cause. It concludes by indicating the need to discuss the issue with health workers with the aim of instrumentalizing them to adopt an ethical and morally correct posture, being the actual text an initiative to provide such information.