Professional Ethics Flashcards
7 cards from real ADAP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Professional Ethics flashcards as text
A dental assistant is offered a gift by a grateful patient. Under professional ethics guidelines, what is the most appropriate response?
Answer: Use professional judgment; modest tokens are generally acceptable, but expensive gifts should be declined
Most ethics guidelines permit accepting modest, token expressions of appreciation while discouraging gifts of significant value that could compromise objectivity.
What is 'dual loyalty conflict' in dental ethics?
Answer: A situation where a professional's obligations to an employer conflict with duties to the patient
Dual loyalty conflict arises when an employer's interests (e.g., productivity) clash with the dental professional's ethical duty to patient welfare.
Which action by a dental assistant demonstrates the ethical concept of 'fidelity'?
Answer: Keeping promises made to patients, such as following up on test results
Fidelity means being faithful to commitments and honoring promises made to patients.
A dental assistant witnesses the dentist performing a procedure that the assistant believes is clinically unnecessary. What is the ethical obligation?
Answer: Raise concerns privately with the dentist or, if unresolved, through appropriate reporting channels
Dental assistants have an ethical duty to voice concerns about potentially unnecessary treatment through appropriate and constructive means.
Under the principle of justice, how should dental professionals allocate treatment time and resources?
Answer: Treat patients fairly and without discrimination based on personal characteristics
Justice requires equitable treatment and non-discrimination, ensuring all patients receive fair access to care.
A patient discloses a domestic violence situation to a dental assistant during a visit. What ethical consideration is most relevant?
Answer: Provide information about resources and follow mandatory reporting laws while supporting the patient
Dental professionals must balance confidentiality with mandatory reporting obligations and patient safety in domestic violence situations.
Which professional behavior best reflects ethical competence in a dental assistant?
Answer: Recognizing the limits of their scope and seeking guidance when uncertain
Ethical competence includes knowing one's limitations and seeking supervision or guidance rather than exceeding scope of practice.