NBDE Professional Ethics and Management 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A dentist wants to advertise 'painless dentistry guaranteed.' This claim is ethically problematic primarily because it:
- Violates fair competition laws
- Is misleading and cannot be substantiated (Correct answer)
- Uses the word 'guaranteed' without a refund policy
- Targets a vulnerable population
Correct answer: Is misleading and cannot be substantiated
Advertising claims must be truthful and not misleading; guaranteeing painless treatment is an unverifiable absolute claim that can deceive patients.
Question 2: Informed refusal occurs when a patient declines recommended treatment. The dentist should:
- Dismiss the patient from the practice immediately
- Document the refusal and the risks explained in the patient's record (Correct answer)
- Proceed with treatment over the patient's objection if clinically urgent
- Obtain a court order before proceeding
Correct answer: Document the refusal and the risks explained in the patient's record
When a patient refuses recommended treatment, the dentist must document the discussion, the risks explained, and the patient's decision to protect both parties legally.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes the concept of 'dual agency' conflict in dental referrals?
- A dentist who is also licensed as a hygienist
- A dentist who receives financial incentives for referring to specific specialists (Correct answer)
- Treating two patients from the same family simultaneously
- A dentist serving as both clinician and practice manager
Correct answer: A dentist who receives financial incentives for referring to specific specialists
A conflict of interest arises when a dentist receives kickbacks or financial benefits for referring patients to specific specialists, compromising objective clinical judgment.
Question 4: The ADA Principles of Ethics identify which of the following as a core ethical principle?
- Profitability
- Veracity (Correct answer)
- Confidentiality of billing records only
- Seniority in the profession
Correct answer: Veracity
Veracity (truthfulness) is one of the ADA's five core ethical principles, requiring dentists to communicate honestly with patients and the public.
Question 5: A dentist employs a dental hygienist as an independent contractor to reduce payroll taxes. The IRS would most likely classify this arrangement as improper if the dentist:
- Sets the hygienist's work hours and controls how tasks are performed (Correct answer)
- Pays the hygienist per patient rather than hourly
- Allows the hygienist to treat patients at another office
- Does not provide the hygienist with malpractice insurance
Correct answer: Sets the hygienist's work hours and controls how tasks are performed
When an employer controls how, when, and where work is performed, the IRS classifies the worker as an employee, not an independent contractor, regardless of the contract's label.
Question 6: OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requires dental practices to offer hepatitis B vaccination to:
- All patients at high risk for infection
- Employees with occupational exposure at no cost to the employee (Correct answer)
- Employees only after their first occupational exposure incident
- Dentists but not auxiliary staff
Correct answer: Employees with occupational exposure at no cost to the employee
OSHA mandates that employers offer hepatitis B vaccination to all employees with occupational exposure to blood or OPIM, at no cost, within 10 working days of assignment.
Question 7: Which type of business entity provides the strongest personal liability protection for a dentist-owner?
- Sole proprietorship
- General partnership
- Professional corporation or LLC (Correct answer)
- Joint venture
Correct answer: Professional corporation or LLC
A professional corporation (PC) or professional LLC separates the owner's personal assets from business liabilities, offering the strongest liability shield available to dentists.
NBDE Professional Ethics and Management 3
A dentist wants to advertise 'painless dentistry guaranteed.' This claim is ethically problematic primarily because it: