FREE NDAEB Ethical and Legal Practice Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 15-year-old patient comes to the dental office alone for a routine cleaning and examination.
The dental assistant notes that the patient's file indicates their parents have consented to this type of routine care in the past.
According to Canadian legal principles, what is the most appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Assess the patient's capacity to understand the treatment and its consequences before proceeding.

Answer

Proceed with the treatment as consent is implied from previous visits.

Answer

Refuse to see the patient until a parent or legal guardian is present to provide written consent.

Answer

Contact the parents by phone to obtain verbal consent for the current appointment.

Question 2

A dental assistant overhears a conversation in the staff room where a colleague discusses a patient's extensive restorative treatment and financial difficulties with another team member who is not involved in the patient's care. This action is a breach of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

Answer

The employment contract.

Answer

The CDAA Code of Ethics principle of beneficence.

Answer

Provincial regulations regarding scope of practice.

Question 3

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the ethical principle of 'Non-maleficence' in dental assisting practice?

Accepted Answer

Identifying and correcting a tear in a sterilization pouch before the instruments are used.

Answer

Taking the time to explain post-operative instructions clearly to a patient.

Answer

Respecting a patient's decision to decline recommended radiographs.

Answer

Updating one's knowledge by taking a continuing education course.

Question 4

A dentist asks a Level II dental assistant to take final impressions for a crown, a task that is outside the assistant's legal scope of practice in their province. If the assistant complies and the patient is harmed as a result, who could be held liable for professional negligence?

Accepted Answer

Both the dentist and the dental assistant.

Answer

Only the dentist, as they delegated the task.

Answer

Only the dental assistant, as they performed the task.

Answer

Neither, as the assistant was following the dentist's orders.

Question 5

A patient requests a copy of their dental records to be sent to a new dental office. According to the CDAA Code of Ethics and privacy legislation, the dental office must:

Accepted Answer

Obtain the patient's written consent specifying what is to be released and to whom.

Answer

Charge a fee based on the size of the file before releasing the records.

Answer

Obtain the dentist's permission before transferring any information.

Answer

Release the records immediately upon verbal request from the new office.

Question 6

In the context of obtaining informed consent, which of the following is the primary responsibility of the dental assistant?

Accepted Answer

To witness the patient's signature on the consent form.

Answer

To decide which treatment option is best for the patient.

Answer

To diagnose the patient's condition and propose a treatment plan.

Answer

To ensure the patient pays for the treatment before it begins.