Chapters 4-5 Vocabulary Modern Dental Assisting
Expressed contract
A contract that is established through verbal or written words
Felony
A major crime, such as fraud or drug abuse. Conviction can result in imprisonment of one year or longer
Written consent
Consent that involves a written explanation of diagnostic findings, prescribed treatment, and reasonable expectations about treatment results
Implied contract
Contract that is established by actions, not words
Dental auxiliary
Dental assistants, dental hygienist, and dental laboratory technicians
Mandated reports
Designated professional who are required by law to report known or suspected child abuse
Elder abuse
Includes physical or sexual abuse, financial exploration, emotional confinement, passive neglect, or willful deprivation of an elderly person
Patient of record
Individual has been examined and diagnosed by the dentist has had treatment planned
Tort law
Involving an act that brings harm to a person or damage to property
Due care
Just, proper, and sufficient care, or the absence of negligence
Respondeat superior
Latin for "let the master answer." Legal doctrine that holds an employer liable for acts of the employee
Res gastae
Latin for "things done." Statements made by a person present at the time of an alleged neglect that are admissible as evidence in a court of law
Res ipsa loquitur
Latin phrase for "the thing speaks for itself."
Statutory law
Law enacted by legislation will U.S. Congress, state legislature, and local legislative bodies
Standard of care
Level of knowledge, skill, and care comparable with that of other dentists who are treating similar patients under similar conditions
General supervision
Level of supervision in which the dental auxiliary performs delegated functions according to the instructions of the dentist, who is not necessarily physical present
Direct supervision
Level of supervision in which the dentist is physically present when the dental auxiliary performs delegated functions
Licensure
Licensed to practice in the specifics state
Laws
Minimum standards of behavior established by statuses by a population or profession
Infraction
Minor offense that usually results in only a fine
Ethics
Moral standards of conduct, rules or principles that govern proper conduct
Confidentiality
Never revealing any personal information about a patient
Beneficence
Of benefit to a patient
Nonmaleficence
Of no harm
Misdemeanor
Offense that may result in imprisonment of six months to one year
Informed consent
Permission granted by a patient after he or she is informed about the details of a procedure
Malpractice
Professional negligence
Autonomy
Self determination
Expanded functions
Specific intraoral functions delegated to an auxiliary that require increased skill and training
Board of dentistry
State agency that adopts rules and regulations and implements the specific states Dental Practice Act
Reciprocity
System that allows individuals in one state to obtain a license in another state without retesting
HIPAA
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996; specifies federal regulations ensuring privacy regarding a patient's healthcare information
Veracity
Truthfulness; not lying to the patient
Implied consent
Type of consent in which the patients action indicate sent for treatment
Abandonment
Withdrawing a patient from treatment without giving reasonable notice or providing a competent replacement
Civil law
Category of law that deals with relations of individuals, corporations, or other organizations
Contract law
Category of law that involves an agreement for services in exchange for a payment (contract)
Administrative law
Category of law that involves regulations established by government agencies
Criminal law
Category of law that involves violations against the state or government
Child abuse
Any act that endangers or impairs a child's physical or emotional health or development
State Dental Practice Act
Document of Law that specifies legal requirements for practicing dentistry in a particular state
Spousal abuse
Domestic violence intentionally inflicted by a family member or members
Justice
Fair treatment of a patient
