Question 1

When liability,both professionally and legally,rests with the dentist and not the dental hygienist or dental assistant is called:

Accepted Answer

Respondeat superior is a legal doctrine that holds an employer or principal legally responsible for the wrongful acts of an employee or agent, if such acts occur within the scope of the employment or agency. In the context of a dental office, this means that the dentist, as the employer, may be held liable for the actions of their employees (dental hygienists or dental assistants) while they are performing their job duties.

Question 2

Radiographs belong to the patient.

Accepted Answer

Radiographs are considered part of the patient's dental record, but the physical films or digital files are owned by the dentist or dental practice that created them. Patients have the right to request copies but do not own the originals.

Question 3

Treating a patient without proper radiographs is a breach of the:

Accepted Answer

The standard of care in dentistry requires dental professionals to take and interpret radiographs as necessary for proper diagnosis and treatment planning. Treating a patient without proper radiographs can result in an incomplete or inaccurate diagnosis, leading to suboptimal treatment outcomes and potential harm to the patient.

Question 4

Patient refusal is not a valid reason for treating without radiographs.

Accepted Answer

According to the American Dental Association's guidelines, radiographs should only be taken based on clinical indications, not patient preference or refusal. Refusing radiographs is not a valid reason for a dentist to treat without them.

Question 5

Dental radiographs of adult patients should be kept in the office for:

Accepted Answer

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), dental radiographs should be kept for at least 7 years after the last date of service or until the patient reaches age 25, whichever is longer. This is to ensure that the records are available for future reference and treatment planning if necessary.

Question 6

The statute of limitations for an adult is how many years after the discovery of the injury or when the injury should have been discovered?

Accepted Answer

The statute of limitations for an adult is generally 3 years from the date of discovery of the injury or when the injury should have been discovered with reasonable diligence. However, this can vary depending on the type of injury and the state in which the injury occurred.

Question 7

Which of the following fall within the dental hygienists responsibility?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following fall within the...

Question 8

Violations of the inspections of x-ray machines and radiation code may result in:

Accepted Answer

Violations of inspections of x-ray machines and radiation code can result in suspension of a dentist's radiation permit, but not necessarily in suspension of their license to practice.

Question 9

In the defense of a malpractice action,poor or nondiagnostic radiographs are:

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the defense of a malpractice action,poor...

Question 10

All x-ray equipment,regardless of the date of manufacture,is subject to state,county,or city radiation health codes.State,county,or city is not allowed to charge a fee for the registration of x-ray machines for such a permit.

Accepted Answer

The first statement is true as all x-ray equipment is subject to radiation health codes. However, the second statement is false as state, county or city may charge fees for registration or permits of x-ray machines.

Question 11

All of the following are the three primary areas that HIPAA encompasses EXCEPT one.Which one is the EXCEPTION?

Accepted Answer

The three primary areas that HIPAA encompasses are patients' rights, privacy standards, and administrative requirements. Informed consent is an important aspect of healthcare, but it is not one of the primary areas that HIPAA covers.

Question 12

Which of the following is the most important item in defending a malpractice action?

Accepted Answer

Records are the most important item in defending a malpractice action as they provide concrete evidence of the treatment provided and the decisions made during the course of treatment. The dentist's, hygienist's, and office manager's recollections may be helpful, but they are subjective and can be challenged in court. Therefore, it is essential to maintain accurate and detailed records that can be used to support the defense.

Question 13

The dentist being physically present in the office during radiographic procedures is known as:

Accepted Answer

Direct supervision refers to the dentist being physically present in the office and overseeing the radiographic procedures. Compliance and federal regulations may factor into this, but do not specifically address the dentist's physical presence. Quality assurance is important for maintaining image quality, but is not relevant to the dentist's presence during the procedure.

Question 14

Explaining to the patient the nature and purpose of the dental radiographs is part of obtaining:

Accepted Answer

Explaining the nature and purpose of the dental radiographs to the patient is part of obtaining informed consent.

Question 15

Identify the most important legal aspect of dental radiology:

Accepted Answer

Risk management is crucial in dental radiology to minimize the risk of harm to patients and to protect dental professionals from legal issues. It involves implementing protocols to ensure patient safety, proper use of equipment, and adherence to regulations.

Question 16

Dental radiographs may be shared with the patient's family.

Accepted Answer

Dental radiographs are considered part of a patient's medical records and are protected by privacy laws, such as HIPAA in the United States. They can only be shared with the patient's family if the patient gives explicit consent or if the family member has legal authority to access the patient's medical information.

Question 17

Original radiographs should always be kept in the dental office.

Accepted Answer

Original radiographs should always be kept in the dental office to ensure that they are accessible to the dentist or other authorized personnel when needed for diagnosis, treatment planning, or legal purposes. Copies or duplicates of the radiographs can be provided to patients or other healthcare providers as needed, but the originals should always remain in the dental office.

Question 18

The third party payers should not request administrative/postoperative radiographs from the dentist.

Accepted Answer

Administrative/postoperative radiographs are not necessary for third party payers and their request may be seen as an unnecessary burden on the dentist's practice.

Question 19

If a patient refuses a recommended radiographic examination:

Accepted Answer

If a patient refuses a recommended radiographic examination, it is important to document that in the patient record and treatment should not be performed without the necessary diagnostic images. This is to ensure that the dentist can make an accurate diagnosis and provide the best possible treatment for the patient. It is also important to communicate the potential consequences of not having the radiographs taken to the patient so they can make an informed decision.

Question 20

Identify the most regulated discipline within dentistry:

Accepted Answer

Radiology is the most regulated discipline within dentistry as it involves the use of ionizing radiation, which can be potentially harmful to both patients and dental professionals if not used in accordance with strict regulations and guidelines. Dentists and other dental professionals who operate radiological equipment must adhere to strict safety standards to ensure the highest level of protection for patients and staff. Additionally, regulations and guidelines related to radiology are regularly updated and reviewed to incorporate new research and advancements in technology, making it an ever-evolving and highly regulated aspect of dental practice.

Quiz 25: Legal Considerations