Ethics is a critical aspect that ensures the integrity, professionalism, and quality of care provided by licensed professionals. Adhering to ethical standards is essential not only for individual practitioners but also for interprofessional collaboration. For those considering joining the Oral Motor Institute, understanding and committing to ethical practices is paramount. This page will cover the importance of ethics, including the role of training, certification, and professional identity.

Over the years, more professionals have become interested in oral motor science. The OMI supports interprofessional collaboration, but also negates the delivery of oral motor services outside a professional’s scope of practice. This page will help familiarize the reader with an ethical code of conduct.

The Role of Ethics

Professional Integrity and Trust

Ethics are the foundation of professional integrity in providing oral motor, feeding, oral placement and orofacial myofunctional therapy. They guide licensed professionals in making decisions that prioritize the well-being of their clients, maintaining honesty, and upholding the trust placed in them by clients, families, and other healthcare professionals. Adhering to ethical standards fosters a trustworthy environment where clients feel safe and respected.

Ensuring Quality of Care

Ethical practices ensure that providers maintain the highest quality of care. This involves staying informed about the latest advancements in Oral Motor science, utilizing evidence-based practices, and continuously improving one's skills and knowledge through continuing education. By committing to ethical standards, professionals can ensure that their interventions are effective, appropriate, and tailored to meet the unique needs of each client.

The Importance of Training and Certification

Comprehensive Training

Ethical practice in Oral Motor science begins with comprehensive training. Licensed professionals who have scope of practice to treat Oral Motor Disorders such as hypotonia or ankyloglossia, must undergo rigorous education and training programs that provide a deep understanding of the assessment and treatment of oral motor challenges such as dysarthria, dysphagia and organic speech sound disorders.  High-quality training programs emphasize both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, ensuring that practitioners are well-prepared to address a variety of clinical scenarios.

Orofacial myofunctional training, feeding, swallowing and oral placement therapy trainings are each unique. While orofacial myofunctional and oral motor disorders occur across the lifespan, the age and stage of life in addition to cognitive status will determine the best suited modality. Speech, occupational and physical therapists each have unique roles in identifying and treating OMDs. For example, a PT may treat TMJ, where an OT provides sensory-based feeding therapy to a toddler. An IBCLC may provide suck training for an infant. A deep understanding of what each professional has to offer is ideal to engage in interprofessional collaboration. Note that each of these modalities requires specific training. For example, SLPs undergo variegated training in orofacial myology versus pediatric feeding therapy.

Finally, it is important to understand that attending a course does not necessarily mean that a professional has scope of practice to deliver the service model. For example, one may attend a course on tongue tie, and breastfeeding is discussed as well and orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) in relation to the topic. The IBCLC would be delivering the intervention for breastfeeding while the SLP would be delivering the intervention for oral motor goals, and an RDH wound care.  Knowing one’s own scope and professional boundaries is essential in ethical service delivery.

Certification and Continuing Education

Obtaining and maintaining certification is a crucial aspect of ethical practice. Certifications and continuing education demonstrate that a provider has met stringent professional standards. Additionally, continuing education is vital for staying current with the latest research and best practices in the field (see evidence). Ethical professionals are committed to lifelong learning and regularly engage in professional development activities to enhance their competencies.

The OMI notes there are different types of certifications. A certificate from a course is not the same as a certification. Three types are most common. 1) Corporate certifications are created by a company or organization specific to that methodology. They are used to ensure the quality of training that is delivered and completed.  PROMPT is an example of a certification in methodology specific to a company teaching a standardized therapeutic technique. 2) Product specific certifications are focused on a specific product or application. Companies such as TalkTools® offer a level of training specific to the tools and methods taught by their instructors. 3) Profession wide certification teaches candidates the professional standards of practice in a particular field. For example, the Certificate of Clinical Competence is widely known for SLPs from the American Speech Language Hearing Association. OMI members should note when taking certification coursework, which type of certification or certificate they will be receiving, for ethical transparency with the public.

Adherence to Professional Standards

Licensed professionals are bound by professional standards and codes of ethics established by organizations like ASHA, and their state licensure. These standards outline the principles and practices that SLPs must adhere to, including maintaining confidentiality, obtaining informed consent, and providing services that are within the scope of their competence. Adherence to these standards ensures that professionals conduct themselves with professionalism and integrity.

Avoiding Conflicts of Interest

Ethical SLPs must avoid conflicts of interest that could compromise their judgment or the quality of care. This includes being transparent about potential conflicts, such as financial incentives from specific treatment products or services. By prioritizing the welfare of their clients over personal or financial gain, professionals uphold the integrity of their practice and the trust of their clients.

 Professional Identification

Professionals are encouraged to use their highest level of licensure when referring to themselves. For example, while SLPs may deliver orofacial myofunctional therapy as a modality of treatment, they are not licensed as a “myofunctional therapist” but as an SLP. Adhering to state legislative bylaws probits us from misrepresenting our credentials to the public. Until a “myofunctional therapist’ is a universally recognized profession, with national guidelines and local/regional established licensure and bylaws, each professional should identify with the licensure they have achieved.