FREE RDA State Dental Practice Act and Legal/Ethical Responsibilities Questions and Answers

Question 1

Under the legal doctrine of 'respondeat superior', who is held liable for the actions of a dental assistant performing their duties?

Accepted Answer

The employing dentist

Answer

The dental assistant alone

Answer

The patient

Answer

The state dental board

Question 2

Which of the following actions would be considered a violation of HIPAA and a breach of patient confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

Discussing a patient's treatment in the office reception area

Answer

Calling a patient by their first name in the operatory

Answer

Consulting with another dentist in the practice about a patient's case

Answer

Using a patient's chart to file an insurance claim

Question 3

What is the primary purpose of a state's Dental Practice Act?

Accepted Answer

To protect the public from incompetent or unethical dental practitioners

Answer

To set the fee schedules for dental procedures

Answer

To ensure all dental assistants are paid a minimum wage

Answer

To promote the business interests of dentists

Question 4

If a dentist asks an RDA to perform a task that is outside their legal scope of practice, what is the most appropriate action for the RDA to take?

Accepted Answer

Inform the dentist that the task is outside their legal scope of practice and decline to perform it

Answer

Perform the task but document that the dentist requested it

Answer

Ask another assistant to perform the task

Answer

Perform the task only if no patients are watching

Question 5

The ethical principle of 'veracity' obligates a dental professional to:

Accepted Answer

Be truthful and honest with patients

Answer

Do no harm (nonmaleficence)

Answer

Be fair in dealing with patients (justice)

Answer

Act for the benefit of the patient (beneficence)

Question 6

The process of obtaining informed consent must include all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A guarantee of specific treatment outcomes

Answer

A description of the proposed treatment

Answer

A discussion of potential risks

Answer

An explanation of alternative treatment options