Question 1

A dental hygienist has a number of mannerisms that include purposefully using a loud voice and waving syringes and handpieces in a threatening manner. The dental hygienist is aware of the actions and the potential impact it may have on a client. Which of the following intentional torts may the dental hygienist be accused of?

Accepted Answer

An action that place s one in fear of bodily harm.

Question 2

The client fails to pay the balance due on dental treatment charges in spite of repeated notices. Which of the following civil violation occurred?

Accepted Answer

Failing to meet the client 's contractual obligation to pay the assessed fees in a timely manner.

Question 3

A dental hygienist is terminated from a full-time position in a dental office with 25 employees. The dental hygienist suspects the reason for the termination is based on age, as the dental hygienist recently turned 65. Which of the following federal regulations provides legal protection for the employee?

Accepted Answer

The Age Discrimination Act of 1967 protects individuals over the age of 40 years .

Question 4

Adam is scheduled for sealants on his four first molars. The chart indicates that Adam is somewhat uncooperative during dental appointments. As the appointment progresses, the dental hygienist and the dental assistant become more aggravated at Adam's uncooperative actions. During the appointment the assistant holds Adam's hands down. At one point, the dental hygienist firmly takes Adam's chin to position his face. At the end of the appointment, red marks are seen on Adam's hands and cheeks. As he enters the reception area, Adam's mother looks at her son and says to the assistant, "What did you do to my son?" Which of the following might the dental hygienist and the assistant be accused of?

Accepted Answer

Harmful bodily contact that is the result of unwanted touching.

Question 5

A dental provider is informed that he will be facing a hearing concerning an allegation that the provider violated the state dental practice act. The notice provides the date of the hearing and indicates that the provider will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations. This situation BEST describes:

Accepted Answer

Requires the use of fair procedures in enforcing the laws , including notice of a hearing and an opportunity to respond to allegations of misconduct before revocation of a license.

Question 6

A dental hygienist realizes that an entry made 2 days ago in a client's dental record incorrectly recorded the number of carpules that were used for anesthesia. The dental hygienist obtains the record to correct the entry. Which is the appropriate method to make a correction?

Accepted Answer

A correction should be noted as such , and c orrected entries should be made on the next available line .

Question 7

Dr. Miller recently joined a private practice as a partner. The office staff can check email or order supplies using the Internet from a computer in the staff lounge. The staff, mostly female, use the staff lounge to eat their lunch. During lunch, Dr. Miller frequently logs on to read his email. He usually reads his email, laughs out loud, and without anyone asking, proceeds to read some of the jokes, poems, and "stories" out loud. Most of the jokes would be considered crude or inappropriate. Which of the following types of sexual harassment may be occurring in this office?

Accepted Answer

Environment that creates an intimidating, hostile , or offensive work environment.

Question 8

To assist in maintaining competence and reduce the risks of malpractice allegations, it is advisable for a dental provider to:

Accepted Answer

Participation in continuing education assists in maintaining provider competence.

Question 9

A client requests and is allowed to review her dental record. Which of the following regulations supports this?

Accepted Answer

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects the client 's right to inspe ct and copy confidential health care information as well as amend his or her personal client record.

Question 10

The level of care a reasonably prudent practitioner would provide in the same or similar circumstances BEST describes:

Accepted Answer

Standard of care is t he level of care a reasonably prudent practitioner would provide in the same or similar circumstances .

Question 11

All of the following make up the key elements of obtaining an informed refusal EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

Accepted Answer

No obligation to have preprinted forms; refusal can be written .

Question 12

A dentist colleague of yours is accused of a serious criminal violation against a client. Following the trial, the jury will be asked to judge the facts and make a decision based on the standard:

Accepted Answer

" Beyond a reasonable doubt " concerns the level of proof required in a criminal trial .

Question 13

A dental employer has the dental license suspended by the board of dentistry for inappropriate delegation to a dental staff employee. This adverse action requires:

Accepted Answer

Adverse actions must be reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank.

Question 14

A 17-year-old client presents to the practice for an appointment. He indicates that he is employed, is living in an apartment, and does not rely on his parents or family members for financial support. This BEST describes:

Accepted Answer

An emancipated minor is a person independent of parental control .

Question 15

A dental office receives a request for a copy of dental records to assist in identifying recently discovered human remains. For which of the following purposes are the dental records being used?

Accepted Answer

Dental records are one of the tools used for forensic identification of remains.

Question 16

An employer indicates that an employee will be eligible for a raise if he or she agrees to some requests of a sexual nature. Which type of sexual harassment does this BEST describe?

Accepted Answer

A category of sexual harassment in which an employee encounters unwelcome sexual advances or re quests for sexual favors , which directly influence s a tangible aspect of the job, such as salary or special perks .

Question 17

The state legislature of a Midwest state recently passed legislation to increase the reimbursement for dental services. The services are provided by dentists in the state and funded by the social services division of the state public health department. This increased support was the result of the identification of increased dental needs for citizens in the state and an inability to identify providers willing to provide care because reimbursement rates were minimal. Which of the following aspects of creating public health policy do the actions of the state legislature support?

Accepted Answer

A decision by elected representatives to create public policy.

Question 18

All of the following statements accurately explain some aspect of ethics EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

Accepted Answer

Societal laws are the rules and regulations developed to protect citizens from harm.

Question 19

The dental hygienist is root planing and scaling and removes a portion of a client's amalgam during the procedure. The dental hygienist fails to inform the client who later experiences pain and swallows a portion of the remaining restoration. The intentional tort committed is:

Accepted Answer

Perversion of the truth for the purpose of gaining another person's trust and reliance.

Question 20

The importance of confidentiality about client information has been supported by the:

Accepted Answer

Both the H ealth Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Health Information and Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) have as one of their purposes the provision of safeguards of protected health information.

Quiz 22: Ethical and Legal Issues