AGD Professionalism & Ethics in Dental Practice 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A dental patient requests that you not share their HIV-positive status with any specialist you refer them to. How should you respond?
- Honor the request completely and share no information
- Explain that you must disclose information necessary for safe treatment (Correct answer)
- Refuse to refer the patient to any specialist
- Document the refusal and dismiss the patient from the practice
Correct answer: Explain that you must disclose information necessary for safe treatment
Dentists may disclose health information to other treating providers when it is necessary for safe and appropriate care, even over patient objection.
Question 2: Which ethical principle is most directly violated when a dentist performs unnecessary procedures to increase production?
- Justice
- Autonomy
- Nonmaleficence (Correct answer)
- Veracity
Correct answer: Nonmaleficence
Nonmaleficence—the duty to do no harm—is violated when unnecessary procedures expose patients to risk without clinical benefit.
Question 3: A colleague confides that they have been practicing while impaired by alcohol. What is the most appropriate first action?
- Report immediately to the state dental board
- Encourage the colleague to seek help through a peer assistance program (Correct answer)
- Confront the colleague publicly at the next staff meeting
- Document the conversation and take no further action
Correct answer: Encourage the colleague to seek help through a peer assistance program
Most dental organizations recommend encouraging a colleague to seek help through peer assistance programs as the preferred initial step before formal reporting.
Question 4: The ADA Principles of Ethics classify which of the following as a duty rather than a virtue?
- Compassion
- Integrity
- Patient autonomy (Correct answer)
- Commitment to professional growth
Correct answer: Patient autonomy
Patient autonomy is a codified ethical duty requiring dentists to respect patients' right to self-determination, while compassion and integrity are described as virtues.
Question 5: A dentist discovers mid-treatment that the planned procedure is more complex than anticipated and the fee will double. What is the ethical obligation?
- Complete the work and charge the new fee without discussion
- Pause treatment, inform the patient of the change, and obtain consent before proceeding (Correct answer)
- Complete the work at the original fee to avoid conflict
- Refer the patient to a specialist without explaining the complexity
Correct answer: Pause treatment, inform the patient of the change, and obtain consent before proceeding
Informed consent is an ongoing process; material changes in scope or cost require updated disclosure and consent before proceeding.
Question 6: Which scenario best illustrates a conflict between beneficence and patient autonomy?
- A patient declines recommended periodontal treatment despite being fully informed (Correct answer)
- A dentist recommends the least expensive treatment option
- A patient requests a second opinion before agreeing to a crown
- A dentist waives a copay for a patient experiencing financial hardship
Correct answer: A patient declines recommended periodontal treatment despite being fully informed
When a fully informed patient refuses treatment the dentist believes is in their best interest, the principle of beneficence conflicts with the patient's autonomous choice.
Question 7: Under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, which person may NOT authorize release of a minor patient's dental records without additional documentation?
- A custodial parent
- A legal guardian
- A non-custodial parent with no court-ordered rights (Correct answer)
- An emancipated minor on their own behalf
Correct answer: A non-custodial parent with no court-ordered rights
A non-custodial parent who has no court-ordered parental rights may not authorize release of a minor's records without additional legal documentation establishing their authority.
AGD Professionalism & Ethics in Dental Practice 2
A dental patient requests that you not share their HIV-positive status with any specialist you refer them to.
How should you respond?