Patient Care & Management Ethics Flashcards
7 cards from real DMD practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Patient Care & Management Ethics flashcards as text
A competent adult patient refuses a recommended extraction of a non-restorable tooth after full disclosure of risks. What is the dentist's most appropriate action?
Answer: Respect the refusal and document the informed refusal in the record
Under the principle of patient autonomy, a competent adult may refuse treatment, and the informed refusal should be documented.
Which ADA Code of Ethics principle is most directly violated when a dentist recommends unnecessary crowns to increase revenue?
Answer: Veracity
Veracity requires truthfulness, and misrepresenting treatment needs is a deception of the patient.
A dentist wishes to end a professional relationship with a patient who is mid-treatment. What must the dentist do to avoid patient abandonment?
Answer: Give reasonable notice and help the patient obtain continued care
The ADA Code requires reasonable notice and arrangements so the patient's oral health is not jeopardized when care is discontinued.
Under HIPAA, which disclosure of protected health information does NOT require patient authorization?
Answer: Sharing records with a specialist for treatment purposes
HIPAA permits disclosure of PHI without authorization for treatment, payment, and health care operations.
A 15-year-old presents alone requesting elective orthodontic treatment. In most US states, who must give informed consent?
Answer: The patient's parent or legal guardian
Minors generally cannot give legal consent for elective care, so a parent or legal guardian must consent, although the minor's assent should be sought.
Which element is NOT a required component of valid informed consent?
Answer: Guarantee of a successful outcome
Informed consent requires disclosure of the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives, but a dentist should never guarantee outcomes.
A dentist observes patterned bruises and repeated facial injuries on a child patient. What is the dentist's legal obligation?
Answer: Report reasonable suspicion of abuse to the appropriate authorities
Dentists are mandated reporters in all US states and must report reasonable suspicion of child abuse; proof is not required.
How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. We have not yet matched this exam's facts to an official source, so confirm fees, dates and rules with the exam body. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy