Question 1

During a staff meeting,the dentist announces that any staff person who attends the state dental society meeting with him and escorts him to the social functions will get a generous bonus.This is an example of which type of sexual harassment?

A) Quid pro quo
B) Hostile environment
C) Gender inequity
D) None of the above

Quid pro quo

Accepted Answer

This is an example of quid pro quo sexual harassment, where the employee is offered a reward in exchange for their companionship or attendance at social functions.

Question 2

The dentist-employer meets with the dental hygienist-employee at the end of the workday;the dentist informs the dental hygienist that his employment is terminated effective immediately,requests the hygienist's office keys,and states that a final paycheck will be mailed to him directly.Assuming that the employer's actions are legal,which of the following most accurately describes this situation?

A) The dental hygienist is an at-will employee,and the termination is appropriate.
B) The dental hygienist cannot be terminated without 2 weeks' notice.
C) The dental hygienist is a contractual employee and must receive 2 weeks' notice.
D) The dental hygienist is having his legal rights violated.
E) None of the above are correct.

Accepted Answer

The dental hygienist is an at-will employee, and the termination is appropriate. In many jurisdictions, at-will employment allows employers to terminate employees without notice for any reason that is not illegal.

Question 3

CASE STUDY&#10;The dental hygienist is scheduled to treat a client who has received treatment for more than 2 years from the other dental hygienist in the office.The client is scheduled for a supportive periodontal therapy (maintenance)visit.After a review of the chart and assessment of the client's periodontal status,the dental hygienist observes that within the last 2 years the patient's periodontal status has progressively become poorer.The dental hygienist is concerned because the other dental hygienist and dentist could be subject to an allegation of negligence.&#10;Obtaining a client's informed consent for a dental hygiene procedure is most related to which one of the following ethical principles?&#10;A) Autonomy&#10;B) Fidelity&#10;C) Justice&#10;D) Veracity&#10;E) None of the above;it is a legal principle.

Accepted Answer

Autonomy is the ethical principle most related to obtaining a client's informed consent for a dental hygiene procedure. It respects the patient's right to make informed decisions about their own health care.

Question 4

The Surgeon General's Report: Oral Health in America (2000)increased the county health department's interest in reducing facial injuries and trauma for citizens in the community.The dental hygienist employed by the health department is given a budgeted amount of state and county funds and also the authority to determine how the funds will be allocated.One colleague in the health department suggests that the funds be used to improve lighting at senior centers to assist senior citizens in seeing better and hence preventing injuries.The dental hygienist wants to target all high school athletic programs in the county by planning a district-wide sports mouth guard program.The dental hygienist decides to implement the countywide sports mouth guard program.What ethical theory or perspective guides the dental hygienist's decision?

A) Deontologic ethics
B) Utilitarian ethics
C) Virtue ethics
D) Kantian ethics

Accepted Answer

The dental hygienist's decision to implement a district-wide sports mouth guard program is guided by utilitarian ethics, as it focuses on maximizing the overall benefit to the community by reducing the risk of facial injuries during athletic activities. This decision takes into consideration the potential harm that could be caused by such injuries and seeks to prevent it by allocating resources to a specific area of need. While improving lighting at senior centers could also be beneficial, the dental hygienist's decision prioritizes the needs of a larger population and is therefore more aligned with utilitarian ethics.

Question 5

Risk management strategies useful in dental practices to minimize dental hygiene staff risks include which of the following?&#10;A) Outlining,in writing,the roles and responsibilities of all members of the dental team&#10;B) Periodically reviewing a sample of client records for accuracy,clarity,and conciseness&#10;C) Making one individual in the office responsible for developing and enforcing the guidelines for consistency&#10;D) A and B only&#10;E) A,B,and C

Accepted Answer

The answer of Risk management strategies useful in dental practices...

Question 6

CASE STUDY&#10;The dental hygienist is scheduled to treat a client who has received treatment for more than 2 years from the other dental hygienist in the office.The client is scheduled for a supportive periodontal therapy (maintenance)visit.After a review of the chart and assessment of the client's periodontal status,the dental hygienist observes that within the last 2 years the patient's periodontal status has progressively become poorer.The dental hygienist is concerned because the other dental hygienist and dentist could be subject to an allegation of negligence.&#10;As part of the assessment phase of care,the dental hygienist repeatedly tries to convince the client to agree to have radiographs taken.The client declines the recommendation.The risk management method used to document the client's decision to decline recommended treatment is which of the following?&#10;A) Informed consent&#10;B) Informed refusal&#10;C) Verbal refusal&#10;D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Informed refusal is the appropriate risk management method used to document the client's decision to decline recommended treatment. It involves explaining the possible consequences of refusing treatment, documenting the refusal in the chart, and having the client sign a refusal form. This is important to protect the dental hygienist and the dental practice from possible allegations of negligence in the future. In this case, the dental hygienist should document the client's refusal to have radiographs taken and have the client sign a refusal form.

Question 7

CASE STUDY&#10;The dental hygienist is scheduled to treat a client who has received treatment for more than 2 years from the other dental hygienist in the office.The client is scheduled for a supportive periodontal therapy (maintenance)visit.After a review of the chart and assessment of the client's periodontal status,the dental hygienist observes that within the last 2 years the patient's periodontal status has progressively become poorer.The dental hygienist is concerned because the other dental hygienist and dentist could be subject to an allegation of negligence.&#10;In the scenario described,if a civil lawsuit were filed and a trial occurred,which of the following levels of proof would the jury or judge use in determining if the dental hygienist was guilty of negligence?&#10;A) Substantial proof&#10;B) Beyond a reasonable doubt&#10;C) Preponderance of evidence&#10;D) Proof of intent

Accepted Answer

In a civil lawsuit, the standard of proof used is "preponderance of evidence." This means that the evidence presented must show that it is more likely than not that the dental hygienist was negligent in their treatment of the patient. This standard is lower than the "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard used in criminal cases.

Question 8

The dental hygienist responsible for the continued-care (recare)program is seeking to terminate the dental practice's relationship with patients who have failed to schedule a maintenance visit for more than 2 years.The dental hygienist sends the letter by certified mail.The letter reads as follows: "Dear Patient:
This is to notify you that you are no longer a patient of AAA Dental Practice.You have failed to schedule a maintenance visit for more than 2 years.The office staff will provide necessary emergency care only.Your records will be forwarded to another provider when you return the enclosed release-of-records permission sheet."
To protect the office from allegations of client abandonment,which of the following elements necessary to appropriately terminate a provider-client relationship is not evident in the letter?

A) Notification of the termination
B) Reason for the termination
C) Length of time the client will remain a patient of record
D) All elements necessary to appropriately terminate are evident.

Accepted Answer

The letter does not specify the length of time the client will remain a patient of record for emergency services before the termination is fully effective.

Question 9

A client's spouse contacts the office manager and requests information about the client's health history.He explains that he is trying to get accurate information about his wife to complete a form for insurance reimbursement.The office manager provides the client's information to the spouse.Which of the following has been violated?

A) Informed consent
B) Informed refusal
C) Client confidentiality
D) Patient Bill of Rights

Accepted Answer

The office manager violated client confidentiality by providing the client's health information to someone who was not authorized to receive it. The client's spouse did not have the client's written consent or legal authority to access their health information.

Question 10

The dental office protocol is for the dentist and dental hygienist to meet with the client and review the written treatment plan,which includes the procedures to be performed and the costs of the procedures outlined.The client agrees to the written plan.Based on the actions of the patients and the oral healthcare providers,which of the following exists?

A) A tort
B) An implied contract
C) An expressed contract
D) No special relationship exists

Accepted Answer

An expressed contract exists in this scenario, as the treatment plan is reviewed and agreed upon by both the client and the oral healthcare providers.

Question 11

A child-behavior management technique used by the dental hygienist in a pediatric dental practice includes allowing the dental assistant to hold the child-client's hands and arms firmly during care.If permission from the parent is not appropriately obtained,the dental providers could be accused of which of the following?

A) Assault
B) Battery
C) Technical assault or technical battery
D) Misrepresentation
E) Negligence

Accepted Answer

The answer of A child-behavior management technique used by the...

Question 12

Which of the following topics are unlawful to ask of a job applicant as part of an employment application or employment interview?&#10;A) Maiden name&#10;B) Marital status&#10;C) National origin&#10;D) A and C only&#10;E) A,B,and C

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following topics are unlawful...

Question 13

During dental hygiene care,the client consistently makes inappropriate comments of a personal and sexual nature to the dental hygienist.The dental hygienist has repeatedly asked the client to stop the behaviors because they make the dental hygienist feel very uncomfortable.The dental hygienist reports the incident to her employer.Which of the following types of sexual harassment may be occurring in this situation?

A) Quid pro quo
B) Hostile environment
C) Gender inequity
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

The answer of During dental hygiene care,the client consistently makes...

Question 14

As a practicing dental hygienist,you realize that during the care of a patient you may have broken an instrument tip.The tip may be located somewhere in the oral cavity.You immediately inform the client of the situation,obtain his cooperation,and initiate the appropriate steps to resolve the problem.You clearly document the event in the client's chart.Which ethical principle is being followed?

A) Veracity
B) Justice
C) Beneficence
D) Autonomy
E) Fidelity

Accepted Answer

The answer of As a practicing dental hygienist,you realize that...

Question 15

The dental hygiene care plan is presented to the client by the dental hygienist.The specific procedures to be provided are described,including the rationale for care and the risks and benefits of the procedures.The client asks some specific questions,and the questions are clearly answered by the dental hygienist.The client then agrees to the care prescribed in the care plan.Which of the following ethical principles is the practitioner upholding?

A) Beneficence
B) Autonomy
C) Justice
D) Veracity

Accepted Answer

The answer of The dental hygiene care plan is presented...

Question 16

Which of the following are recommended risk management strategies for appropriately maintaining client records?&#10;A) Entries should be accurate,concise,and written in black ballpoint pen.&#10;B) Entries should include patient cancellations and late arrivals.&#10;C) Errors can be erased or blacked out if corrections are clearly documented.&#10;D) A and B only.&#10;E) A,B,and C.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following are recommended risk...

Question 17

CASE STUDY&#10;The dental hygienist is scheduled to treat a client who has received treatment for more than 2 years from the other dental hygienist in the office.The client is scheduled for a supportive periodontal therapy (maintenance)visit.After a review of the chart and assessment of the client's periodontal status,the dental hygienist observes that within the last 2 years the patient's periodontal status has progressively become poorer.The dental hygienist is concerned because the other dental hygienist and dentist could be subject to an allegation of negligence.&#10;If a lawsuit alleging negligence were filed,which of the following elements of negligence would the client need to prove?&#10;A) The dental hygienist intended to harm the client.&#10;B) The dental hygienist had a duty to treat the client's periodontal disease and failed to meet that duty.&#10;C) The client's oral health has been harmed owing to the dental hygienist's failure to appropriately treat.&#10;D) B and C only.&#10;E) A,B,and C.

Accepted Answer

The answer of CASE STUDY&#10;The dental hygienist is scheduled to...

Question 18

A dental hygienist is preparing the treatment room for the next client.The dental hygienist adheres to appropriate surface disinfection and instrument recirculation protocols.Which ethical principle is the dental hygienist upholding?

A) Autonomy
B) Beneficence
C) Justice
D) Veracity
E) Fidelity

Accepted Answer

The answer of A dental hygienist is preparing the treatment...

Deck 62: Legal and Ethical Decision Making