FREE NBDE Professional Ethics and Management Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient with clinically sound amalgam restorations requests that they all be replaced with composite fillings due to a fear of mercury toxicity, despite the dentist's explanation that there is no scientific evidence to support this concern.
Which of the following is the most ethical course of action for the dentist?

Accepted Answer

Educate the patient about the longevity of their current restorations and the risks of unnecessary treatment, and then decline to perform the procedure.

Answer

Perform the treatment as requested to honor the patient's autonomy.

Answer

Refuse to perform the treatment and immediately dismiss the patient from the practice.

Answer

Refer the patient to another practitioner who is willing to replace the amalgam restorations.

Question 2

According to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which of the following actions constitutes a permissible disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI) without the patient's explicit authorization?

Accepted Answer

Reporting suspected child abuse to the appropriate state authorities.

Answer

Providing a patient's treatment details to a spouse who is concerned about the cost.

Answer

Posting an interesting clinical case with radiographs on a private social media forum for dentists.

Answer

Confirming a patient's presence at the clinic to a caller who identifies as their employer.

Question 3

A new associate dentist observes the senior partner, who is the practice owner, consistently billing insurance for a full mouth debridement on new patients who only require a routine adult prophylaxis. What is the associate's most appropriate initial ethical action?

Accepted Answer

Privately discuss the observation and concerns with the senior partner, referencing proper ADA coding and billing guidelines.

Answer

Report the senior partner to the state dental board for insurance fraud.

Answer

Adopt the same billing practices to maintain consistency within the office.

Answer

Resign from the position immediately without discussing the reason.

Question 4

The ethical principle of Veracity requires a dentist to communicate truthfully with patients. Which of the following actions is a direct violation of this principle?

Accepted Answer

Guaranteeing to a patient that a newly placed porcelain crown will 'last a lifetime'.

Answer

Recommending a specialist for a procedure that is outside the dentist's scope of expertise.

Answer

Charging a higher fee for a complex procedure compared to a simple one.

Answer

Informing a patient about a procedural error, such as a small perforation during an extraction.

Question 5

A dentist decides to terminate the provider-patient relationship with a patient who has been repeatedly non-compliant and verbally abusive to staff. To avoid a charge of patient abandonment, which of the following steps is essential?

Accepted Answer

Sending the patient a certified letter providing notice and offering to provide emergency care for a reasonable period.

Answer

Completing the entire active treatment plan before initiating the termination process.

Answer

Informing the patient of the decision during their next scheduled appointment.

Answer

Ensuring the patient's account has a zero balance before sending any notification.

Question 6

A dental hygienist, while performing their duties, negligently causes an injury to a patient. Under the legal doctrine of *respondeat superior*, who is held ultimately liable for the employee's actions?

Accepted Answer

The employing dentist, as the 'master' or employer.

Answer

The dental hygienist alone, as they are a licensed professional responsible for their own actions.

Answer

The patient, if they exhibited any form of contributory negligence.

Answer

The dental assistant who was also in the room.