DENTAL ASSISTANT LAW AND ETHICS EXPECTED
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
Question 1.
describe ethics
ANSWER
moral conduct, includes values, high standards of conduct, and personal obligations reflected in our
interactions with other professionals and patients. ETHICAL STANDARDS ARE ALWAYS HIGHER
Question 2.
How are ethical standards higher than the minimum legal standards?
ANSWER
A behavior can be unethical and still be legal, but it can not be illegal and still be ethical.
Question 3.
What are the two basic questions that a study of ethics seeks?
ANSWER
1. what should I do?
2. Why should I do it?
Question 4.
List the sources of personal ethics
ANSWER
- basic instinct -parents -teachers -religion -observation of other people's behavior
Question 5.
List and describe the basic universal principles of ethics that have been developed over time.
ANSWER
- Autonomy: self determination -non-maleficence: Do no harm -beneficence: well being; providing a
benefit -justice: fairness -confidentiality: not releasing patient's personal information -veracity: to tell
the truth
Question 6.
what are some examples of the rights of the dental patient regarding their self determination
ANSWER
patients have the right to make decisions on dental care, as well as refuse treatment
1
,Question 7.
what is the basic element in morality
ANSWER
Do no harm
Question 8.
how might the dental healthcare worker demonstrate beneficence?
ANSWER
volunteering in dental health education programs
Question 9.
describe the dental philosophy that will demonstrate a regard for justice in treating dental
patients
ANSWER
all patients should receive quality dental care
Question 10.
what may threaten the trust between the patient and the dentist?
ANSWER
Giving the patient incomplete information
Question 11.
is respecting a patient's privacy a legal or ethical obligation?
ANSWER
BOTH
Question 12.
what are the legal requirements regarding suspected child or elder abuse?
ANSWER
must be reported to protect the individuals from harm
Question 13.
what law was enacted in 1996 to put forth very definite legal requirements related to
confidentiality of patient's health information?
ANSWER
HIPAA-- health insurance portability and accountability act
2
, Question 14.
what is required by DANB for dental assistants to remain certified and is recense or register
dental assistant as part of the renewal process, explain?
ANSWER
continuing education programs in order to keep the dental assistant up on their skills
Question 15.
what are the options for obtaining continuing education?
ANSWER
- professional association meetings -home study courses/ online
Question 16.
what establishes a guide to professional behavior?
ANSWER
code of ethics
Question 17.
what professional organization has developed a written code of ethics for dental assistants
ANSWER
american dental assistants association
Question 18.
why do professional organizations establish a code of ethics?
ANSWER
- demonstrate a standard of care - enhance ethical consciousness and responsibility - guide members
in making informed ethical decisions - establish a standard of professional judgement
Question 19.
REVIEW THE EXAMPLES THAT APPLY THE ETHICAL PRINCIPLES page 30
ANSWER
Question 20.
what is an ethical dilemma?
ANSWER
when one or more ethical principles are in conflict
3
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
Question 1.
describe ethics
ANSWER
moral conduct, includes values, high standards of conduct, and personal obligations reflected in our
interactions with other professionals and patients. ETHICAL STANDARDS ARE ALWAYS HIGHER
Question 2.
How are ethical standards higher than the minimum legal standards?
ANSWER
A behavior can be unethical and still be legal, but it can not be illegal and still be ethical.
Question 3.
What are the two basic questions that a study of ethics seeks?
ANSWER
1. what should I do?
2. Why should I do it?
Question 4.
List the sources of personal ethics
ANSWER
- basic instinct -parents -teachers -religion -observation of other people's behavior
Question 5.
List and describe the basic universal principles of ethics that have been developed over time.
ANSWER
- Autonomy: self determination -non-maleficence: Do no harm -beneficence: well being; providing a
benefit -justice: fairness -confidentiality: not releasing patient's personal information -veracity: to tell
the truth
Question 6.
what are some examples of the rights of the dental patient regarding their self determination
ANSWER
patients have the right to make decisions on dental care, as well as refuse treatment
1
,Question 7.
what is the basic element in morality
ANSWER
Do no harm
Question 8.
how might the dental healthcare worker demonstrate beneficence?
ANSWER
volunteering in dental health education programs
Question 9.
describe the dental philosophy that will demonstrate a regard for justice in treating dental
patients
ANSWER
all patients should receive quality dental care
Question 10.
what may threaten the trust between the patient and the dentist?
ANSWER
Giving the patient incomplete information
Question 11.
is respecting a patient's privacy a legal or ethical obligation?
ANSWER
BOTH
Question 12.
what are the legal requirements regarding suspected child or elder abuse?
ANSWER
must be reported to protect the individuals from harm
Question 13.
what law was enacted in 1996 to put forth very definite legal requirements related to
confidentiality of patient's health information?
ANSWER
HIPAA-- health insurance portability and accountability act
2
, Question 14.
what is required by DANB for dental assistants to remain certified and is recense or register
dental assistant as part of the renewal process, explain?
ANSWER
continuing education programs in order to keep the dental assistant up on their skills
Question 15.
what are the options for obtaining continuing education?
ANSWER
- professional association meetings -home study courses/ online
Question 16.
what establishes a guide to professional behavior?
ANSWER
code of ethics
Question 17.
what professional organization has developed a written code of ethics for dental assistants
ANSWER
american dental assistants association
Question 18.
why do professional organizations establish a code of ethics?
ANSWER
- demonstrate a standard of care - enhance ethical consciousness and responsibility - guide members
in making informed ethical decisions - establish a standard of professional judgement
Question 19.
REVIEW THE EXAMPLES THAT APPLY THE ETHICAL PRINCIPLES page 30
ANSWER
Question 20.
what is an ethical dilemma?
ANSWER
when one or more ethical principles are in conflict
3
