Dental Law & Ethics Latest 2025
Questions and Correct Answers
What happens if you notice at a later date that you forgot to write something in the chart
at your exam appointment?
DO NOT change a prior entry, make a NEW entry and sign with your initials
What do you do if a patient asks for a copy of their records, but still has a balance for
the treatment?
You must give patient a copy of their records, despite the balance
If a patient requests a copy of their records, what is the maximum number of days the
dentist can take to deliver them?
15 days
You write a prescription to relieve pain due to a RCT, how long do you have to keep
this prescription form in their chart?
3 years
How long must a dentist keep records of controlled drugs being dispensed to patients in the
dental office?
3 years
What information must be included in the inventory log in dispensing meds from the office?
patients personal info, type of medicine, dosage, number dispensed
If a patient comes in for a fourth refill of hydrocodone for a toothache without
being evaluated, what should the dentist be concerned with?
overprescribing medication
,when a dentist is retiring, how long do records need to be stored / accessible?
7 years
How many days do you have to notify the board following a death / cardiac arrest related
to dentistry?
7 days
If you dont complete a planned procedure due to an emergency, but the office
manager billed the insurance company already, what do you do?
notify insurance company and reimburse the money
If a patient is in a financial bind and the dentist waives their copay without disclosure to
the insurance company, the dentist has participated in what?
overbilling
A patient comes in for ER and is in between insurance plans. She asks if you can back date
the bill OR bill for a later date. What do you tell the patient?
Tell her she will be responsible for the payment. Do not ever tamper with the date of service to
bill old or new insurance companies
How many days do you have to notify the board if you change the business or mailing address
of record that is filed with the board?
30 days
A patient's dental insurance is ending soon and she wants to extract all of her teeth and
place dentures to never deal with billing again. What do you tell her?
Review all possible risks, alternatives, and treatments available before making any decisions
A patient calls you for pain medications due to an emergency. They would like the
medication now and then to go back to their regular dentist later for treatment. What should
you do prior to writing the prescription?
,do an oral exam first
A patient that you have not seen before comes in for an emergency service and you
notice that extensive dental work needs to be done. What do you do?
do the emergency services and refer back to the regular dentist for comprehensive care
What should be your main ethical concern when you are trying to explain a treatment plan
to a non-english speaking patient?
make sure that the patient really understands the RBCA
A patient paid for half of their crown. You have prepared the tooth and now are ready to
cement. The patient reports that they cannot pay anymore. What is your legal obligation
to the patient?
cement the crown , finish the procedure
If you are the dentist and you have a drug addiction or alcohol problem, what should you do?
do not practice until you are clean
A patient is in the middle of treatment and is not happy with the treatment. The dentist does
not reach the patient expectation and now, the dentist-patient relationship is not good.
What should the doctor do?
Terminate with written notification to the patient with adequate amount of time of notice
A 17 year old patient of record comes straight from school to your office for a prophy.
Can you treat this patient without a parent/ guardian present?
if the patient has consent forms from the parent/guardian for treatment on file
a 7 year old child presents with bruises. When you ask what happened, the child says "i dont
know". What do you do?
Report the case for possible child abuse
, An 83 year old patient with a broken front tooth says 25 year old grandson pushed him down
when he was drunk. What do you do?
Report it!!
A patient of record invites you to a date or romantic getaway. What do you do?
DECLINE! it is against the doctor - patient relationship
A patient asks you about the risks of amalgam. What should you say?
go over scientific evidence and research available
After doing an RCT, a patient asks for more medication for their back pain. What should you
do?
dont give them more medicine. Only prescribe medication for what is within your scope
of practice.
A patient with diabetes and periodontal disease needs complete dentures. Patient reports
that they want to look younger with their dentures. What should the dentist state?
their dentures may not cover their expectations
After doing an RCT, what services must be offered to the patient?
after hour contact info in case of emergency
If you are doing a RCT and a patient ends up needing crown lengthening that was not
previously treatment planned, what do you do?
Educate the patient about all of the steps now needed for the procedure and disclose all
new fees.
A patient is unhappy with their current dentist and you see that the treatment performed
was not to the standard of care. What should you do?
Questions and Correct Answers
What happens if you notice at a later date that you forgot to write something in the chart
at your exam appointment?
DO NOT change a prior entry, make a NEW entry and sign with your initials
What do you do if a patient asks for a copy of their records, but still has a balance for
the treatment?
You must give patient a copy of their records, despite the balance
If a patient requests a copy of their records, what is the maximum number of days the
dentist can take to deliver them?
15 days
You write a prescription to relieve pain due to a RCT, how long do you have to keep
this prescription form in their chart?
3 years
How long must a dentist keep records of controlled drugs being dispensed to patients in the
dental office?
3 years
What information must be included in the inventory log in dispensing meds from the office?
patients personal info, type of medicine, dosage, number dispensed
If a patient comes in for a fourth refill of hydrocodone for a toothache without
being evaluated, what should the dentist be concerned with?
overprescribing medication
,when a dentist is retiring, how long do records need to be stored / accessible?
7 years
How many days do you have to notify the board following a death / cardiac arrest related
to dentistry?
7 days
If you dont complete a planned procedure due to an emergency, but the office
manager billed the insurance company already, what do you do?
notify insurance company and reimburse the money
If a patient is in a financial bind and the dentist waives their copay without disclosure to
the insurance company, the dentist has participated in what?
overbilling
A patient comes in for ER and is in between insurance plans. She asks if you can back date
the bill OR bill for a later date. What do you tell the patient?
Tell her she will be responsible for the payment. Do not ever tamper with the date of service to
bill old or new insurance companies
How many days do you have to notify the board if you change the business or mailing address
of record that is filed with the board?
30 days
A patient's dental insurance is ending soon and she wants to extract all of her teeth and
place dentures to never deal with billing again. What do you tell her?
Review all possible risks, alternatives, and treatments available before making any decisions
A patient calls you for pain medications due to an emergency. They would like the
medication now and then to go back to their regular dentist later for treatment. What should
you do prior to writing the prescription?
,do an oral exam first
A patient that you have not seen before comes in for an emergency service and you
notice that extensive dental work needs to be done. What do you do?
do the emergency services and refer back to the regular dentist for comprehensive care
What should be your main ethical concern when you are trying to explain a treatment plan
to a non-english speaking patient?
make sure that the patient really understands the RBCA
A patient paid for half of their crown. You have prepared the tooth and now are ready to
cement. The patient reports that they cannot pay anymore. What is your legal obligation
to the patient?
cement the crown , finish the procedure
If you are the dentist and you have a drug addiction or alcohol problem, what should you do?
do not practice until you are clean
A patient is in the middle of treatment and is not happy with the treatment. The dentist does
not reach the patient expectation and now, the dentist-patient relationship is not good.
What should the doctor do?
Terminate with written notification to the patient with adequate amount of time of notice
A 17 year old patient of record comes straight from school to your office for a prophy.
Can you treat this patient without a parent/ guardian present?
if the patient has consent forms from the parent/guardian for treatment on file
a 7 year old child presents with bruises. When you ask what happened, the child says "i dont
know". What do you do?
Report the case for possible child abuse
, An 83 year old patient with a broken front tooth says 25 year old grandson pushed him down
when he was drunk. What do you do?
Report it!!
A patient of record invites you to a date or romantic getaway. What do you do?
DECLINE! it is against the doctor - patient relationship
A patient asks you about the risks of amalgam. What should you say?
go over scientific evidence and research available
After doing an RCT, a patient asks for more medication for their back pain. What should you
do?
dont give them more medicine. Only prescribe medication for what is within your scope
of practice.
A patient with diabetes and periodontal disease needs complete dentures. Patient reports
that they want to look younger with their dentures. What should the dentist state?
their dentures may not cover their expectations
After doing an RCT, what services must be offered to the patient?
after hour contact info in case of emergency
If you are doing a RCT and a patient ends up needing crown lengthening that was not
previously treatment planned, what do you do?
Educate the patient about all of the steps now needed for the procedure and disclose all
new fees.
A patient is unhappy with their current dentist and you see that the treatment performed
was not to the standard of care. What should you do?
