Professionalism & Ethics in Dental Practice Flashcards
7 cards from real AGD practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Professionalism & Ethics in Dental Practice flashcards as text
A dentist buys a dental supply company and then recommends its products to all patients. This arrangement must be disclosed because of which ethical principle?
Answer: Veracity
Veracity requires disclosure of financial conflicts of interest so patients can make fully informed decisions about recommended products and services.
Under the AGD's commitment to lifelong learning, a Fellow is expected to complete how many hours of continuing education over a five-year period?
Answer: 200 hours
AGD Fellowship (FAGD) requires 500 hours total, with 200 hours required within any given five-year period to demonstrate ongoing professional development.
When a patient requests a copy of their dental records, a dentist may legally charge:
Answer: A reasonable, cost-based fee for reproduction as permitted by state law
HIPAA and most state laws permit providers to charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for producing copies of medical/dental records.
A dentist is asked to testify as an expert witness against a former patient in a malpractice case. Which obligation is most relevant?
Answer: Providing honest, objective testimony regardless of the outcome for either party
Expert witnesses have an overriding duty to the court and to truthfulness; advocacy for either party compromises the integrity of the legal process.
A dentist who terminates care for a patient who has missed multiple appointments must do which of the following to avoid patient abandonment?
Answer: Provide written notice, allow adequate time for the patient to find another provider, and offer emergency care during the transition
Proper patient dismissal requires written notice, a reasonable transition period (typically 30 days), and emergency care availability to avoid charges of patient abandonment.
Which of the following best describes 'dual agency' as an ethical concern in dentistry?
Answer: A dentist serving conflicting obligations to both the patient and a third-party payer
Dual agency occurs when a dentist's obligation to a third-party payer (insurer or HMO) conflicts with their primary duty to act in the patient's best interest.
A patient brings in a printed article claiming a new, unproven treatment is superior to standard care. The most ethical response is to:
Answer: Provide balanced information about evidence levels and respect the patient's right to ask questions
Respecting patient autonomy and veracity requires engaging openly with patient-supplied information while providing an honest, evidence-based assessment.