NBDHE Professional Ethics and Law Flashcards

A dental hygienist suspects a child patient is being abused based on observed oral and facial injuries. Which action is legally required in all U.S. states?

Answer: Report the suspicion to child protective services or law enforcement

Dental hygienists are mandated reporters in all U.S. states and are legally required to report suspected child abuse to child protective services or law enforcement.

Which of the following is an example of fraudulent billing in dental practice?

Answer: Billing for a prophylaxis when a full-mouth debridement was performed

Upcoding—billing for a more expensive procedure than what was actually performed—constitutes dental fraud.

The ADHA Code of Ethics is best characterized as:

Answer: A voluntary aspirational guide for professional conduct among dental hygienists

The ADHA Code of Ethics is a voluntary, aspirational document that guides professional conduct but does not carry legal enforcement authority.

A patient discloses a history of HIV infection during their health history. The dental hygienist's legal obligation is to:

Answer: Maintain confidentiality and follow standard precautions for all patients

HIV status is protected health information; the hygienist must maintain confidentiality and apply standard precautions universally, regardless of known status.

Respondeat superior is a legal doctrine that holds which party liable for an employee's negligent acts performed within the scope of employment?

Answer: The employer or supervising dentist

Under respondeat superior, employers are vicariously liable for negligent acts their employees commit within the scope of their employment duties.

Which element is NOT required to establish dental malpractice?

Answer: Proof that the patient disliked the treatment outcome

Malpractice requires duty, breach, causation, and damages—patient dissatisfaction alone is not an element of a malpractice claim.

A dental hygienist practicing beyond their legally defined scope of practice may be subject to:

Answer: License suspension or revocation by the state dental board

Practicing outside the legally defined scope of practice can result in license suspension, revocation, or other disciplinary action by the state dental board.