State Dental Practice Act and Legal/Ethical Responsibilities Flashcards
7 cards from real RDA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 State Dental Practice Act and Legal/Ethical Responsibilities flashcards as text
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?
Answer: 30 days
HIPAA requires covered entities to provide patients access to their health records within 30 days of the request.
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?
Answer: Beneficence
Beneficence is the ethical duty to act in the patient's best interest and promote their well-being.
A dental assistant witnesses the dentist performing a procedure outside their licensed scope. What is the assistant's most appropriate first action?
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.
Under most State Dental Practice Acts, which of the following functions is considered an EXPANDED function that requires specific delegation and training?
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.
What does 'res ipsa loquitur' mean in the context of dental malpractice?
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.
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?
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.
Which document legally authorizes a dental assistant to perform expanded functions in states that permit them?
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.