Dental Ethics and Legal Responsibilities
Complete Study Guide with Review
Questions
What does ethics deal with?
➢ Moral standards of conduct; rules or principles that govern proper conduct.
Can a behavior be unethical and still be legal?
➢ Yes, but it cannot be illegal and still be ethical.
What basic principles of ethics guide healthcare providers?
➢ Ethical standards; autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, and veracity.
What is the most basic element in morality?
➢ Nonmaleficence.
How is the principle of justice defined?
➢ Fair treatment of the patient.
What protects confidentiality of patient health information?
➢ HIPAA.
What does the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) code of ethics provide?
➢ Legal and ethical guidelines expected by patients and employers in many dental areas.
What ethical principle is demonstrated by returning a wallet to its owner?
➢ Justice.
What occurs during an ethical dilemma?
➢ A dentist and patient are discussing a treatment plan or payment.
What is the last step in solving an ethical dilemma?
➢ Choose a course of action.
What is negligence or omission?
➢ Failure to perform an act that a reasonable professional would perform.
,What is true of informed patient consent?
➢ The dentist must provide enough information about diagnosis and treatment options.
What indicates implied consent?
➢ The patient's actions indicate a willingness to undergo treatment.
Who must give consent for treatment of a minor?
➢ A parent or legal guardian.
What does informed consent involve?
➢ A process and a form including a discussion about treatment and risks.
When does a dentist usually refer a patient?
➢ When the case is beyond their abilities.
How should a dental assistant correct a chart entry?
➢ Strike a line through the wrong information.
Who owns the patient's original dental records?
➢ The dentist.
What is a misdemeanor in dental practice?
➢ An offense that may result in penalties like fines or license loss.
What offenses are most likely to result in imprisonment?
➢ Felonies.
What is an expressed contract?
➢ A category of civil law established through written or verbal agreement.
What types of law does violation of OSHA regulations involve?
➢ Criminal and civil law.
What regulations govern dental assistants?
➢ State dental practice act.
What forms of licensure allow practice across state lines?
➢ Licensure by credentials and endorsement (reciprocity).
Under what condition can a dentist refer an HIV positive patient?
, ➢ If the patient requires specific treatment outside the dentist's abilities.
What must a dentist do to avoid claims of abandonment?
➢ Provide reasonable notice.
What is the responsibility of a dental assistant if the dentist's conduct violates ethical
standards?
➢ Responsible to protect the patient from harm.
What does the philosophy of justice in dental care entail?
➢ All patients should receive the same quality of dental care.
What is a violation of veracity in dental practice?
➢ Incomplete information about treatment options.
What is the 'Golden Rule' in personal ethics?
➢ 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'
What is a violation of veracity?
➢ Reassuring a child that a treatment will not hurt when it may.
What obligation does the ADAA impose regarding patient confidentiality?
➢ Legal and ethical obligation.
What constitutes informed consent?
➢ Permission for a procedure granted by a patient after being informed about the details.
What is true regarding membership in the ADAA?
➢ It is an ethical decision, not a legal requirement.
What principle of ethics refers to a person's freedom to think and act independently?
➢ Autonomy.
What does respondeat superior state?
➢ An employer is responsible for harm caused by an employee during work.
What does direct supervision mean in dental practice?
➢ A dentist is physically present while a dental auxiliary performs expanded functions.
What is the duty of care in dentistry?
Complete Study Guide with Review
Questions
What does ethics deal with?
➢ Moral standards of conduct; rules or principles that govern proper conduct.
Can a behavior be unethical and still be legal?
➢ Yes, but it cannot be illegal and still be ethical.
What basic principles of ethics guide healthcare providers?
➢ Ethical standards; autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, and veracity.
What is the most basic element in morality?
➢ Nonmaleficence.
How is the principle of justice defined?
➢ Fair treatment of the patient.
What protects confidentiality of patient health information?
➢ HIPAA.
What does the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) code of ethics provide?
➢ Legal and ethical guidelines expected by patients and employers in many dental areas.
What ethical principle is demonstrated by returning a wallet to its owner?
➢ Justice.
What occurs during an ethical dilemma?
➢ A dentist and patient are discussing a treatment plan or payment.
What is the last step in solving an ethical dilemma?
➢ Choose a course of action.
What is negligence or omission?
➢ Failure to perform an act that a reasonable professional would perform.
,What is true of informed patient consent?
➢ The dentist must provide enough information about diagnosis and treatment options.
What indicates implied consent?
➢ The patient's actions indicate a willingness to undergo treatment.
Who must give consent for treatment of a minor?
➢ A parent or legal guardian.
What does informed consent involve?
➢ A process and a form including a discussion about treatment and risks.
When does a dentist usually refer a patient?
➢ When the case is beyond their abilities.
How should a dental assistant correct a chart entry?
➢ Strike a line through the wrong information.
Who owns the patient's original dental records?
➢ The dentist.
What is a misdemeanor in dental practice?
➢ An offense that may result in penalties like fines or license loss.
What offenses are most likely to result in imprisonment?
➢ Felonies.
What is an expressed contract?
➢ A category of civil law established through written or verbal agreement.
What types of law does violation of OSHA regulations involve?
➢ Criminal and civil law.
What regulations govern dental assistants?
➢ State dental practice act.
What forms of licensure allow practice across state lines?
➢ Licensure by credentials and endorsement (reciprocity).
Under what condition can a dentist refer an HIV positive patient?
, ➢ If the patient requires specific treatment outside the dentist's abilities.
What must a dentist do to avoid claims of abandonment?
➢ Provide reasonable notice.
What is the responsibility of a dental assistant if the dentist's conduct violates ethical
standards?
➢ Responsible to protect the patient from harm.
What does the philosophy of justice in dental care entail?
➢ All patients should receive the same quality of dental care.
What is a violation of veracity in dental practice?
➢ Incomplete information about treatment options.
What is the 'Golden Rule' in personal ethics?
➢ 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'
What is a violation of veracity?
➢ Reassuring a child that a treatment will not hurt when it may.
What obligation does the ADAA impose regarding patient confidentiality?
➢ Legal and ethical obligation.
What constitutes informed consent?
➢ Permission for a procedure granted by a patient after being informed about the details.
What is true regarding membership in the ADAA?
➢ It is an ethical decision, not a legal requirement.
What principle of ethics refers to a person's freedom to think and act independently?
➢ Autonomy.
What does respondeat superior state?
➢ An employer is responsible for harm caused by an employee during work.
What does direct supervision mean in dental practice?
➢ A dentist is physically present while a dental auxiliary performs expanded functions.
What is the duty of care in dentistry?
