NBDE Professional Ethics and Management 5

Question 1

Which document protects a dentist when treating a minor in an emergency without a parent present?

Accepted Answer

The doctrine of implied consent for emergency care

Answer

The doctrine of implied consent allows treatment of minors (and incapacitated adults) in true emergencies when a guardian cannot be reached and delay would cause harm.

Question 2

Respondeat superior is a legal doctrine that holds:

Accepted Answer

Employers liable for the negligent acts of employees acting within the scope of employment

Answer

Respondeat superior ('let the master answer') makes employers vicariously liable for the negligent actions of employees performed during the course of employment.

Question 3

A dentist who abandons an ongoing patient relationship without adequate notice and transfer of care may be found liable for:

Accepted Answer

Patient abandonment, a form of negligence

Answer

Patient abandonment occurs when a dentist unilaterally terminates care during active treatment without reasonable notice or help in finding another provider, exposing them to malpractice liability.

Question 4

Which federal law governs electronic transmission of dental claims and requires standard code sets?

Accepted Answer

HIPAA's Administrative Simplification provisions

Answer

HIPAA's Administrative Simplification rules mandate the use of standard electronic transaction formats and code sets (including CDT codes) for dental claims processing.

Question 5

A dentist's fee-splitting arrangement with a dental lab — paying the lab less when it refers patients to the dentist — is ethically prohibited because it:

Accepted Answer

Creates a financial conflict of interest that may compromise treatment decisions

Answer

Fee-splitting arrangements distort clinical judgment by making financial incentives rather than patient welfare the basis for referral and treatment decisions.

NBDE - National Board Dental Examination Practice Test

NBDE - National Board Dental Examination Practice Test

NBDE Professional Ethics and Management 5