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INBDE Ethics & Professionalism Practice
Exam 2026 | 100 Advanced Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Integrated National Board Dental
Examination Prep & Study Guide
1. A dentist discovers that a patient’s previous radiograph contains an obvious
diagnostic error made by another dentist. The patient has not yet
experienced harm. What is the most appropriate initial action?
A. Immediately report the previous dentist to the state board
B. Ignore the error because no harm occurred
C. Inform the patient appropriately and address the patient’s current clinical
needs
D. Tell the patient that the previous dentist was incompetent
Correct answer: C. Inform the patient appropriately and address the patient’s
current clinical needs
Rationale: The dentist’s primary ethical obligation is to protect the patient and
provide appropriate care. Disclosure should be truthful, professional, and
focused on the patient’s interests rather than disparaging another practitioner.
, 2. A competent adult patient refuses a recommended extraction after the
dentist explains the diagnosis, risks, benefits, and alternatives. What should
the dentist do?
A. Perform the extraction because it is medically necessary
B. Obtain consent from the patient’s family
C. Respect the refusal and document the informed refusal
D. Discharge the patient immediately
Correct answer: C. Respect the refusal and document the informed refusal
Rationale: A competent adult has the right to accept or refuse treatment.
Respect for autonomy requires the dentist to ensure the refusal is informed and
document the discussion and decision.
3. A dentist posts a clinical photograph online for educational purposes. The
patient’s face is not visible, but a distinctive tattoo and unusual dental
condition make the patient recognizable to acquaintances. What is the
primary ethical concern?
A. Beneficence
B. Confidentiality and privacy
C. Justice
D. Veracity
Correct answer: B. Confidentiality and privacy
Rationale: Removing a patient’s name does not necessarily make information
anonymous. Identifiable clinical photographs or combinations of details may
compromise confidentiality, particularly without appropriate authorization.
4. A patient asks a dentist to prescribe antibiotics before every dental cleaning
because the patient believes this prevents all dental infections. What is the
best response?
A. Prescribe antibiotics to preserve rapport
B. Explain the evidence-based indication for antibiotic prophylaxis
,C. Prescribe a reduced antibiotic dose
D. Allow the patient to select the antibiotic
Correct answer: B. Explain the evidence-based indication for antibiotic
prophylaxis
Rationale: Ethical prescribing requires appropriate clinical indications. Patient
requests do not justify unnecessary antibiotics, which may cause adverse effects
and contribute to antimicrobial resistance.
5. A dentist realizes after treatment that an instrument fragment remains in a
patient’s tissue. The patient is asymptomatic. What is the most ethical
response?
A. Say nothing unless symptoms develop
B. Document it privately but do not tell the patient
C. Disclose the event, explain its significance, and discuss management options
D. Remove the record of the procedure
Correct answer: C. Disclose the event, explain its significance, and discuss
management options
Rationale: Patients have a right to truthful information about significant
treatment-related events. Disclosure supports autonomy, trust, and appropriate
clinical management.
6. Which principle most directly supports a patient’s right to make an
informed decision about dental treatment?
A. Justice
B. Autonomy
C. Nonmaleficence
D. Fidelity
Correct answer: B. Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy recognizes the patient’s right to make voluntary, informed
decisions regarding healthcare.
, 7. A dentist owns a laboratory and routinely directs patients to use it without
disclosing the financial relationship. What is the principal ethical issue?
A. Informed consent only
B. Conflict of interest
C. Patient abandonment
D. Scope of practice
Correct answer: B. Conflict of interest
Rationale: A financial interest can influence—or appear to influence—
professional judgment. Disclosure and appropriate management of conflicts are
essential to preserve patient trust and professional integrity.
8. A patient asks for a copy of their dental records. What is the dentist’s most
appropriate response?
A. Refuse because the dentist owns the records
B. Provide appropriate access according to applicable law and professional
requirements
C. Release only radiographs
D. Release records only after the patient changes dentists
Correct answer: B. Provide appropriate access according to applicable law and
professional requirements
Rationale: Patients generally have rights concerning access to their health
information, subject to applicable legal requirements. Dentists should follow
governing privacy and records-access rules.
9. A dentist suspects that a colleague is practicing while impaired and
potentially endangering patients. What is the most appropriate ethical
approach?
A. Ignore the issue because it is a personal matter
B. Discuss the concern publicly with coworkers
INBDE Ethics & Professionalism Practice
Exam 2026 | 100 Advanced Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Integrated National Board Dental
Examination Prep & Study Guide
1. A dentist discovers that a patient’s previous radiograph contains an obvious
diagnostic error made by another dentist. The patient has not yet
experienced harm. What is the most appropriate initial action?
A. Immediately report the previous dentist to the state board
B. Ignore the error because no harm occurred
C. Inform the patient appropriately and address the patient’s current clinical
needs
D. Tell the patient that the previous dentist was incompetent
Correct answer: C. Inform the patient appropriately and address the patient’s
current clinical needs
Rationale: The dentist’s primary ethical obligation is to protect the patient and
provide appropriate care. Disclosure should be truthful, professional, and
focused on the patient’s interests rather than disparaging another practitioner.
, 2. A competent adult patient refuses a recommended extraction after the
dentist explains the diagnosis, risks, benefits, and alternatives. What should
the dentist do?
A. Perform the extraction because it is medically necessary
B. Obtain consent from the patient’s family
C. Respect the refusal and document the informed refusal
D. Discharge the patient immediately
Correct answer: C. Respect the refusal and document the informed refusal
Rationale: A competent adult has the right to accept or refuse treatment.
Respect for autonomy requires the dentist to ensure the refusal is informed and
document the discussion and decision.
3. A dentist posts a clinical photograph online for educational purposes. The
patient’s face is not visible, but a distinctive tattoo and unusual dental
condition make the patient recognizable to acquaintances. What is the
primary ethical concern?
A. Beneficence
B. Confidentiality and privacy
C. Justice
D. Veracity
Correct answer: B. Confidentiality and privacy
Rationale: Removing a patient’s name does not necessarily make information
anonymous. Identifiable clinical photographs or combinations of details may
compromise confidentiality, particularly without appropriate authorization.
4. A patient asks a dentist to prescribe antibiotics before every dental cleaning
because the patient believes this prevents all dental infections. What is the
best response?
A. Prescribe antibiotics to preserve rapport
B. Explain the evidence-based indication for antibiotic prophylaxis
,C. Prescribe a reduced antibiotic dose
D. Allow the patient to select the antibiotic
Correct answer: B. Explain the evidence-based indication for antibiotic
prophylaxis
Rationale: Ethical prescribing requires appropriate clinical indications. Patient
requests do not justify unnecessary antibiotics, which may cause adverse effects
and contribute to antimicrobial resistance.
5. A dentist realizes after treatment that an instrument fragment remains in a
patient’s tissue. The patient is asymptomatic. What is the most ethical
response?
A. Say nothing unless symptoms develop
B. Document it privately but do not tell the patient
C. Disclose the event, explain its significance, and discuss management options
D. Remove the record of the procedure
Correct answer: C. Disclose the event, explain its significance, and discuss
management options
Rationale: Patients have a right to truthful information about significant
treatment-related events. Disclosure supports autonomy, trust, and appropriate
clinical management.
6. Which principle most directly supports a patient’s right to make an
informed decision about dental treatment?
A. Justice
B. Autonomy
C. Nonmaleficence
D. Fidelity
Correct answer: B. Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy recognizes the patient’s right to make voluntary, informed
decisions regarding healthcare.
, 7. A dentist owns a laboratory and routinely directs patients to use it without
disclosing the financial relationship. What is the principal ethical issue?
A. Informed consent only
B. Conflict of interest
C. Patient abandonment
D. Scope of practice
Correct answer: B. Conflict of interest
Rationale: A financial interest can influence—or appear to influence—
professional judgment. Disclosure and appropriate management of conflicts are
essential to preserve patient trust and professional integrity.
8. A patient asks for a copy of their dental records. What is the dentist’s most
appropriate response?
A. Refuse because the dentist owns the records
B. Provide appropriate access according to applicable law and professional
requirements
C. Release only radiographs
D. Release records only after the patient changes dentists
Correct answer: B. Provide appropriate access according to applicable law and
professional requirements
Rationale: Patients generally have rights concerning access to their health
information, subject to applicable legal requirements. Dentists should follow
governing privacy and records-access rules.
9. A dentist suspects that a colleague is practicing while impaired and
potentially endangering patients. What is the most appropriate ethical
approach?
A. Ignore the issue because it is a personal matter
B. Discuss the concern publicly with coworkers
