Deck 2: Professional and Legal Aspects of Dental Assisting

Question 1

Which statement is true?

A) A behavior can be illegal and still be ethical.
B) A behavior can be unethical and still be legal.
C) Ethical issues are subject to a few gray areas but many absolutes.
D) Laws are written to indicate the ideal standard of moral behavior.

Answer 1

A behavior can be unethical and still be legal.

Question 2

Each exemplifies professional appearance EXCEPT one. Which is the EXCEPTION?

A) Fit physique
B) Light work-friendly cologne
C) Clean short fingernails
D) Simple makeup

Answer 2

Light work-friendly cologne

Question 3

Which is NOT true regarding direct supervision?

A) The dentist must examine the patient before delegating the procedure.
B) The dentist must examine the patient after the procedure has been completed.
C) The dental assistant must be legally qualified.
D) The assistant must have written authorization if the dentist cannot be physically present.

Answer 3

The assistant must have written authorization if the dentist cannot be physically present.

Question 4

Which agency issues the certified dental assistant (CDA) credential?

A) State dental board
B) Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)
C) American Dental Association (ADA)
D) American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA)

Question 5

An agreement negotiated between states to allow a dentist or dental hygienist who is licensed in one state to receive a license to practice in another state is:

A) informed consent
B) administrative law
C) reciprocity
D) tort law

Question 6

A dental assistant who passed a state examination is identified by which acronym?

A) CDA
B) CPFDA
C) RDA
D) NELDA

Question 7

Which best defines omission?

A) Failure to do something that should have been done
B) Doing something that should not have been done
C) Protection from criminal or civil liability
D) Permission to practice in a specific state

Question 8

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration):

A) regulates dental sterilization technology
B) is responsible for the registration of chemical disinfectants
C) sets standards of practice for dentists
D) promotes infection control

Question 9

The dental healthcare team, researchers, and dental manufacturers are involved in the:

A) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
B) Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP)
C) Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)
D) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Question 10

The purpose of a state dental practice act is to provide:

A) principles of ethics and a code of professional conduct
B) contact information for professional dental organizations and government agencies
C) laws to protect the public from incompetent dental healthcare providers
D) protection for dentists from lawsuits

Question 11

An established guide for professional behavior, in all major professions, is a code of:

A) confidentiality
B) ethics
C) honor
D) responsibility

Question 12

A license to practice dentistry is issued by the:

A) American Dental Association (ADA)
B) state dental association
C) state board of dentistry
D) school from which the dentist graduated

Question 13

Which entity interprets and enforces state dental practice act regulations?

A) State dental association
B) State governor
C) State legislature
D) State board of dentistry

Question 14

Which action exemplifies dedication?

A) Be cooperative.
B) Show empathy to a patient.
C) Volunteer to help a coworker.
D) Complete necessary tasks without being asked.

Question 15

Which is associated with moral duty, conduct, and judgment?

A) Ethics
B) Rapport
C) Law
D) Jurisprudence

Question 16

The recognized expert in public health matters is the:

A) Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
B) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
C) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
D) U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Question 17

Which recommendation cultivates good grooming or appropriate dress?

A) Avoid using deodorant if possible.
B) Limit the use of tobacco products to the outdoors to avoid an odor in treatment areas.
C) Consider infection control requirements when selecting clinical wear.
D) Wear only inexpensive, replaceable jewelry.

Question 18

Which organization issues the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) credential?

A) American Dental Association (ADA)
B) American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA)
C) Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)
D) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Question 19

Which characterizes general supervision?

A) The dentist conducts preprocedural and postprocedural examinations.
B) Authorized, delegated procedures are executed by qualified staff on a patient of record.
C) Delegated procedures are performed in the presence of the dentist.
D) The dentist guides expanded-function procedures not delegated in the state dental practice act.

Question 20

A dental assistant who performs a function not delegated under the state dental practice act is:

A) developing patient rapport
B) reducing malpractice liability
C) committing a crime
D) improving practice efficiency

Question 21

_____ is an attitude that is apparent in everything you do and say, inside and outside of the dental office.

Question 22

________ refers to statements made spontaneously by anyone at the time of an alleged negligent act.

Question 23

Breach of contract occurs when:

A) a contract is drawn up for an illegal service
B) a mentally incompetent individual signs a contract
C) no form of payment is exchanged
D) either party fails to meet contractual obligations

Question 24

If a dental assistant performs a procedure that is not legal, the assistant is in violation of ______ law.

Question 25

Patients have a right to gain access to and retrieve their records and radiographs from the dentist.

Question 26

Which duty is a responsibility of the patient?

A) Request consultation when indicated.
B) Achieve reasonable treatment results.
C) Maintain confidentiality.
D) Follow instructions.

Question 27

The professional organization for dental assistants is the ______. (Provide the full name, not the acronym.)

Question 28

Prevention and good _____ are the best defenses against malpractice.

Question 29

A minimum level of conduct is achieved by __________.

Question 30

________ consent is the preferred means of obtaining and documenting the patient's consent and understanding of the procedure.

Question 31

What percentage of child abuse injuries involve the head, neck, or mouth?

A) 25
B) 45
C) 65
D) 85

Question 32

Consent for treatment of a minor must be given by:

A) the child
B) the parent
C) the legal guardian
D) either the parent or the legal guardian

Question 33

Which is NOT included in the dental chart?

A) Financial information
B) Consent forms
C) Patient correspondence
D) Radiographs

Question 34

Everything that is said or done in a dental office must remain confidential.

Question 35

The primary intent in reporting suspected child abuse is to:

A) protect the child
B) help the parents
C) exact justice
D) comply with the law

Question 36

What does the acronym TEAM stand for?

Question 37

The two things that must occur for the patient to give informed consent are being _________ and giving consent.

Question 38

Which is the primary factor in avoiding legal entanglements with patients?

A) Maintain accurate and complete records.
B) Foster good rapport and open communication.
C) Uphold the highest standards of clinical excellence.
D) Obtain informed consent.

Question 39

In some states, dental assistants are ________ reporters and must report suspected child abuse if they observe signs of abuse or if they have reasonable suspicion of abuse.

Question 40

Implied consent is:

A) the most reliable form of consent
B) given when a patient enters a dental office
C) adequate when the parent or guardian of a minor is not present
D) documented in the patient record, with the signature of a witness

Question 41

Spontaneous statements made by the dental assistant at the time of an alleged negligent act are admissible as evidence in a court of law.

Question 42

Patients "technically" own their own records and radiographs.