DHY 2310 (Dental Law and Ethics Final
Exam Review) Questions with
Accurate Answers
What two aspects are involved in ethics? - ANSWERS1. Ability to discern right from
wrong
2. Commitment to act on a decision
What organization established guidelines for all dental-related educational programs? -
ANSWERSThe Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) is the agency that
conducts the accreditation program for all dental education programs.
Define and give an example of the 4 categories of moral problems (moral weakness,
moral uncertainty, moral dilemma, moral distress). - ANSWERS1. Moral weakness-
when moral responsibilities point in one direction and personal inclinations in another.
(ex: a DH who forgoes providing a patient with needed dental health education because
he/she wants to get lunch early)
2. Moral uncertainty- question as to whether a moral obligation exists. (ex: when dealing
with a noncompliant perio patient, determining how far to go to attain a level of health
when the patient is unwilling or uninterested in following good dental health advice and
guidance)
3. Moral dilemma- when obligations and responsibilities are in conflict.
4. Moral distress- when the health care provider is frustrated from feelings of
powerlessness when a perceived wrong is occurring but he/she is unable to act. (ex:
when a DH feels they cannot do what they believe should be done because of a system
issue, the resistance of a powerful person, or a restraint in the situation)
Identify some of the checkpoints that apply in ethical decision making. - ANSWERS1.
Evaluate circumstances to see if moral courage is needed.
2. Determine what moral values and ethical principles are at risk.
3. Ascertain what principles need to be expressed and defended.
4. Consider the possible adverse consequences/risks with taking action.
5. Assess whether or not adversity can be endured.
, 6. Avoid stumbling blocks that might restrain moral courage.
7. Develop moral courage through education, training, practice.
Identify (in order) and explain the Six-Step Decision-Making Model. - ANSWERS1.
Identify the Ethical dilemma or Problem- Once the problem is recognized, the decision
maker must state the ethical question considering all aspects of the problem. If the
ethical question does not place principles in conflict, it's a simple matter of right and
wrong and no process of ethical decision making is required.
2. Collect Information- Decision maker must gather information to make an informed
decision. It may be factual information about the situation as it developed and may
come from more than one source. Information regarding values of parties involved,
including those of health care provider, is needed.
3. State the Options- Brainstorm to identify as many options as possible. The best
decision is not often the first that comes to mind. Brainstorming options helps us to view
a situation from all angles to identify what other people might see as alternative answers
to the problem. An enlightened and open mind is required to recognize that more than
one answer to a problem exists.
4. Apply the Ethical Principles to the Options- Focus on ethical principles (autonomy,
beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice) and ethical values and concepts (paternalism,
confidentiality, informed consent). State how each alternative will effect the ethical
principle by making a list of pros and cons. In the pro column, show alternatives that
protect each principle. In the con column, show how they could violate the principle. Do
this for each option. This will enable you to see which ethical principles are in conflict
with the situation.
5. Make the Decision- Pay attention to how many pros and cons attend each decision.
The seriousness of the cons must be weighed by the hygienist remembering that they
are obliged to put the patient's interests first.
6. Implement the Decision- Act on the decision that has been made.
What ethical dilemmas are most commonly encountered by dental hygienists? -
ANSWERS1. Substandard Care- Situations in which there is failure to diagnose, failure
to refer, or lack of proper infection control or in which dental or dental hygiene services
are provided that do not meet the accepted standard of care.
2. Overtreatment- Situations in which excessive services or services that are
unnecessary for a particular case are provided (ex: influencing of a patient's care
decision as a result of one's position of greater knowledge).
3. Scope of Practice- Instances in which the legally assigned scope of practice is
exceeded by a dental hygienist, dentist, or other member of the dental team.
Exam Review) Questions with
Accurate Answers
What two aspects are involved in ethics? - ANSWERS1. Ability to discern right from
wrong
2. Commitment to act on a decision
What organization established guidelines for all dental-related educational programs? -
ANSWERSThe Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) is the agency that
conducts the accreditation program for all dental education programs.
Define and give an example of the 4 categories of moral problems (moral weakness,
moral uncertainty, moral dilemma, moral distress). - ANSWERS1. Moral weakness-
when moral responsibilities point in one direction and personal inclinations in another.
(ex: a DH who forgoes providing a patient with needed dental health education because
he/she wants to get lunch early)
2. Moral uncertainty- question as to whether a moral obligation exists. (ex: when dealing
with a noncompliant perio patient, determining how far to go to attain a level of health
when the patient is unwilling or uninterested in following good dental health advice and
guidance)
3. Moral dilemma- when obligations and responsibilities are in conflict.
4. Moral distress- when the health care provider is frustrated from feelings of
powerlessness when a perceived wrong is occurring but he/she is unable to act. (ex:
when a DH feels they cannot do what they believe should be done because of a system
issue, the resistance of a powerful person, or a restraint in the situation)
Identify some of the checkpoints that apply in ethical decision making. - ANSWERS1.
Evaluate circumstances to see if moral courage is needed.
2. Determine what moral values and ethical principles are at risk.
3. Ascertain what principles need to be expressed and defended.
4. Consider the possible adverse consequences/risks with taking action.
5. Assess whether or not adversity can be endured.
, 6. Avoid stumbling blocks that might restrain moral courage.
7. Develop moral courage through education, training, practice.
Identify (in order) and explain the Six-Step Decision-Making Model. - ANSWERS1.
Identify the Ethical dilemma or Problem- Once the problem is recognized, the decision
maker must state the ethical question considering all aspects of the problem. If the
ethical question does not place principles in conflict, it's a simple matter of right and
wrong and no process of ethical decision making is required.
2. Collect Information- Decision maker must gather information to make an informed
decision. It may be factual information about the situation as it developed and may
come from more than one source. Information regarding values of parties involved,
including those of health care provider, is needed.
3. State the Options- Brainstorm to identify as many options as possible. The best
decision is not often the first that comes to mind. Brainstorming options helps us to view
a situation from all angles to identify what other people might see as alternative answers
to the problem. An enlightened and open mind is required to recognize that more than
one answer to a problem exists.
4. Apply the Ethical Principles to the Options- Focus on ethical principles (autonomy,
beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice) and ethical values and concepts (paternalism,
confidentiality, informed consent). State how each alternative will effect the ethical
principle by making a list of pros and cons. In the pro column, show alternatives that
protect each principle. In the con column, show how they could violate the principle. Do
this for each option. This will enable you to see which ethical principles are in conflict
with the situation.
5. Make the Decision- Pay attention to how many pros and cons attend each decision.
The seriousness of the cons must be weighed by the hygienist remembering that they
are obliged to put the patient's interests first.
6. Implement the Decision- Act on the decision that has been made.
What ethical dilemmas are most commonly encountered by dental hygienists? -
ANSWERS1. Substandard Care- Situations in which there is failure to diagnose, failure
to refer, or lack of proper infection control or in which dental or dental hygiene services
are provided that do not meet the accepted standard of care.
2. Overtreatment- Situations in which excessive services or services that are
unnecessary for a particular case are provided (ex: influencing of a patient's care
decision as a result of one's position of greater knowledge).
3. Scope of Practice- Instances in which the legally assigned scope of practice is
exceeded by a dental hygienist, dentist, or other member of the dental team.
