RDA State Dental Practice Act and Legal/Ethical Responsibilities 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient requests copies of their dental records before transferring to a new dentist. Under HIPAA, the dental office must provide the records within how many days?
- 15 days
- 30 days (Correct answer)
- 60 days
- 90 days
Correct answer: 30 days
HIPAA requires covered entities to provide patients access to their health records within 30 days of the request.
Question 2: Which ethical principle requires a dental assistant to act in the best interest of the patient, even when it conflicts with the patient's own wishes?
- Autonomy
- Beneficence (Correct answer)
- Nonmaleficence
- Justice
Correct answer: Beneficence
Beneficence is the ethical duty to act in the patient's best interest and promote their well-being.
Question 3: A dental assistant witnesses the dentist performing a procedure outside their licensed scope. What is the assistant's most appropriate first action?
- Immediately report to the State Dental Board
- Document the incident and discuss it privately with the dentist (Correct answer)
- Refuse to assist and leave the room
- Notify law enforcement
Correct answer: Document the incident and discuss it privately with the dentist
The appropriate first step is to document and address the concern internally before escalating to regulatory authorities.
Question 4: Under most State Dental Practice Acts, which of the following functions is considered an EXPANDED function that requires specific delegation and training?
- Seating and dismissing patients
- Placing and finishing composite restorations (Correct answer)
- Taking vital signs
- Exposing radiographs under general supervision
Correct answer: Placing and finishing composite restorations
Placing and finishing composite restorations is typically an expanded function that requires additional training and explicit delegation by the dentist.
Question 5: What does 'res ipsa loquitur' mean in the context of dental malpractice?
- The patient assumes all risks
- The thing speaks for itself — negligence is obvious from the injury (Correct answer)
- Both parties share equal fault
- The dentist had no duty of care
Correct answer: The thing speaks for itself — negligence is obvious from the injury
Res ipsa loquitur is a legal doctrine meaning the injury itself is evidence of negligence without need for expert testimony.
Question 6: A dental assistant in a state that allows general supervision may expose radiographs without the dentist physically present in the office. What is still required?
- The dentist must be available by phone
- Prior examination and written prescription from the dentist (Correct answer)
- The assistant must hold an EFDA certificate
- A second dental assistant must be present
Correct answer: Prior examination and written prescription from the dentist
Even under general supervision, the dentist must have first examined the patient and authorized the procedure.
Question 7: Which document legally authorizes a dental assistant to perform expanded functions in states that permit them?
- OSHA compliance certificate
- Dental Practice Act amendments
- Written delegation from the supervising dentist (Correct answer)
- ADA membership card
Correct answer: Written delegation from the supervising dentist
Written delegation from the supervising dentist is the legal authorization required for a dental assistant to perform expanded functions.
RDA State Dental Practice Act and Legal/Ethical Responsibilities 4
A patient requests copies of their dental records before transferring to a new dentist.
Under HIPAA, the dental office must provide the records within how many days?