DA Law & Ethics
Courses in team management, leadership development and practice administration are considered to be primarily a benefit to the licensee and shall be limited to a maximum percentage of a licensees total required units for each license or permit renewal period. What is the total percentage allowable?
20%
The board may prescribe mandatory coursework with in the general areas of patient care, health and safety, and law and ethics. What the three courses are required for a license to renew biennially?
Infection control, Dental Practice Act, Basic life support
As it relates to autonomy, the dentist primary obligation(s) include(s):
Involving patients in treatment decisions in a meaningful way, with due consideration being given to the patients needs, and safeguarding the patients privacy.
It is unprofessional conduct for a licensed person to directly require or indirectly required in an office policy, which of the following:
Knowingly permit the delivery of dental care that permits clearly excessive treatment. Knowingly permit the delivery of dental care that discourages necessary treatment.
dentist who contracts any disease or becomes impaired in any way that might endanger patients or dental staff shall:
Limit the activities of practice to those areas that do not endanger patients or dental staff.
A dentist has the general obligation to provide care to those in need. A decision not to provide treatment to an individual because the individual is infected with human immunodeficiency virus, Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus or other blood-borne pathogen, based solely on that fact is unethical. Decisions with regard to the type of dental treatment provided or referrals made or suggested should be:
Made on the same basis as they are made with other patients
Upon request of a patient or another dental practitioner, dentist shall:
Provide any information in accordance with applicable law that will be beneficial or the future treatment of that patient
Which term describes the licensure category whereby the assistant may perform both dental assistant and registered dental assistant duties and whose additional duties must be performed under direct supervision and full professional responsibility of the licensed dentist?
RDAEF
Which term describes a person who may perform all the functions of a registered dental assistant and may perform scaling and root planning under general supervision of a licensed dentist?
RDH
A person who holds a registered dental assistant license shall provide evidence of having successfully completed board approved courses in what two subjects at the time of licensure?
Radiation safety and coronal polishing
Placing gingival retraction cord requires which type of license?
Registered dental assistant in extended functions
Taking impressions for tooth-borne removable prosthesis is allowed by which type of assistant?
Registered dental assistant in extended functions
An indirect provisional restoration may be placed by whom?
Registered dental assistant under supervision defined by the dentist
Obtaining images from a computer aided design (CAD) machine such as CEREC may only be performed by _________________ under what supervision level?
Registered dental assistant under supervision defined by the dentist
Which category of dental assistant may fabricate an indirect provisional restoration?
Registered dental assistant under supervision defined by the dentist
A registered dental assistant may only perform ____________ procedure upon completion of a board-approved educational course.
Removing excess cement with an ultrasonic scaler from supragingival surfaces of teeth undergoing orthodontic treatment.
If a dentist for dental assistant is convicted of a crime substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a dentist for dental assistant, the board may take what action(s)?
Revoke, reprimand, or place on probation
Adding medication to intravenous lines requires which type of license and what supervision level?
Sedation assistant under direct supervision
The dentist has a duty to respect the patients right to:
Self-determination and confidentiality
Every dentist, dental health professional, or other licensed health professional who performs a service on a patient in a dental office shall identify himself or herself in the patient records by:
Signing his or her name or using an identification number with initials and dating those treatment entries in the record.
Any licentiate terminated from the diversion program for failure to comply with the program requirements is:
Subject to disciplinary action by the board for acts committed before, during, and after participation in the diversion program
Any dentist who removes his place of practice shall register each change made by him within one month after making said change.
TRUE
Under the principle of the justice, the dentist's primary obligations include respecting the position of trust inherent in the dentist-patient relationship, communicating truthfully and without deception, and maintaining intellectual integrity.
false
Which term describes the supervision of dental procedures that are prescribed by the dentist but not requiring the dentist to by physically present in the dental facility?
general supervision
When informing a patient of the status of his or her oral health, a difference of opinion as to preferred treatment should not be communicated to the patient any manner which would unjustly imply mistreatment.
true
When the Board disciplines a licensee by placing him or her on probation, the board may require the licensee to pay the monetary costs associated with monitoring the licensees probation.
true
A license or permit is subject to renewal periods. How many years is a renewal period?
2
The daily civil penalty (charge) for noncompliance of a request for patient records for a licensee is:
$250 per day up to a $5000 maximum
Within how many days does a dental licensee have to comply with a request from the board for the dental records of patient?
15 days
A provider shall furnish a written certification of course completion (CE certification slip) to each licensee certifying that the licensee has met the attendance requirements of the course. If the board should audit a licensee, copies of the certification slips must be provided to the board upon request. A registered dental assistant will need to show proof of having completed at least how many units of continuing education during the renewal he or she is being audited for?
25 units
If the board determines that the public health and safety would be served by requiring all holders of licenses or permits to continue their education after receiving a license or permit it may require, has a condition to the renewal, that they inform themselves of the developments in the practice of dentistry since the original issuance of their license or permit. To do so, a licensee or permit holder must obtain continuing education that is consistent with the Board's regulations. How many units of continuing education must a registered dental assistant (RDA) obtain during a two-year time period?
25 units
A licensee shall retain, for a period of _________ renewal periods, the certificates of course completion issued to him or her at the time he or she attended a continuing education course and shall forward such certifications to the Board only upon request by the board for audit purposes.
3
How many units must a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice (RDHAP) obtained during a two year time period?
35 units
Licenses expire at 12 midnight on the legal birth date of the licentiate at the second year of a two-year term if not renewed. An expired license may be renewed at any time within how many years after its expiration, by the application to the Board?
5 years
How many units of continuing education must a dentist (DDS) obtained during a two-year time period?
50 units
What is the maximum number of continuing education units a provider may issue in one day?
8
Your license as a registered dental assistant has been in "inactive" status for the past seven years, and you are now looking to return to the dental profession and perform the duties of a RDA. You decide to petition the board to reinstate your license from "inactive" status to "Active". Your biennial renewal fees have been paid regularly and you are scheduled to complete a renewal of your CPR (Basic life support). What else must you do in order to be granted an "Active" license again?
Complete 25 units of continuing education, which shall include all the mandatory education courses that are currently required.
"Patient records" or patient charts are the permanent records of patient treatment. Dentist shall maintain patient records:
In a manner consistent with the protection of the welfare of the patient
The term "autonomy" means:
Independent; not controlled by others
The primary focus of the diversion program is to:
Assist licensees in their drug and alcohol rehabilitation so that they can return to dental practice without endangering the public health and safety Identify and rehabilitate those licensees who become dependent on drugs and alcohol
The dental assistant has a duty to treat people fairly. Under this principle, the assistant's primary responsibility is:
Behave ethically, without a conflict of interest Providing appropriately delegated oral healthcare services Behave in a manner free from bias for discrimination on any basis
A "patient of record" refers to a patient who:
Has been examined, has had a medical/dental history completed, has had oral conditions diagnosed, and has had a written plan developed by a licensed dentist.
Which acronym is used to define a worker who might be exposed to infectious materials?
DHCP
The term justice pertains to treating people fairly. Under this principle, the dentists primary obligations include:
Dealing with people justly and delivering dental care without prejudice
After adjustment by the dentist, a ____________________ may examine and seat a removable orthodontic appliance and deliver patient care instructions.
Dental assistant under direct supervision
Which category of dental assistant may perform a facebow transfer procedure?
Dental assistant under direct supervision
The board may audit a licensee's continuing education records at any time to ensure that the continuing education requirements are met. Any licensee who furnishes false or misleading information to the board regarding his or her continuing education units may be subject to ________________________.
Disciplinary action
A dentist may require or permit a dental auxiliary to perform which of the following duties prior to any examination of the patient by the dentist, provided that the duties are authorized for the particular classification of dental assistant:
Expose emergency radiographs upon direction of the dentist Perform mouth mirror inspections of the oral cavity, to include charting of obvious lesions, malocclusions, existing restorations, and missing teeth. Perform extra oral duties or functions specified by the dentist
A dentist who contracts any disease or becomes impaired in any way that might endanger patients or dental staff shall perform all the activities of practice as deemed necessary after visiting a healthcare evaluator.
FALSE
If a licentiate holds more than one license for permit, the license or permit that requires the smallest number of continuing education units for renewal shall equal the licentiate's full renewal requirement.
FALSE
Any licentiate (license or permit holder) may have his or her license revoked or suspended or be reprimanded or be placed on probation by the Dental Board for what reason(s)?
Gross negligence Unprofessional conduct Incompetence
You are a registered dental assistant who has decided to leave the practice of dentistry. Since you do not know how long you will be away from the profession. You have decided to request that's the board place your license in "inactive" status. You are still required to renew the license each biennial renewal period. How many units of continuing education do you have to complete each renewal period during your "inactive" status?
No continuing education is required
Fully informed consent is essential to the ethical practice of dentistry and reflects the patient's right of self-decision. Except as exempted by state law, a dentist has the obligation to:
Obtain fully informed consent to patient or the patients legal guardian prior treatment or to use of any identifiable artifacts (such as photographs, x-rays, study models) for any purpose other than treatment
Which term best describes a treatment intended to create an environment in which the patient can maintain healthy hard and soft tissues?
Oral prophylaxis
Which category of dental assistant may remove orthodontic bands and remove excess cement from supragingival surfaces of teeth with a hand instrument?
Orthodontic assistant under direct supervision
If a practitioner should lose a license to revocation, the Board will take what public action?
Place the revocation in the board record and show the license as being canceled
According to the California dental practice act, section 1680, acts constituting unprofessional conduct include, but are not limited to, which of the following: (check all correct answers)
The aiding or abetting of a licensed dentist, dental assistant, registered dental assistant, registered dental assistant in extended functions, dental sedation assistant permit holder, orthodontic assistant permit holder, registered dental hygienist, Registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or registered dental hygienist in extended functions to practice dentistry in a negligent or incompetent manner. The alteration of a patience record with intent to deceive. The aiding or abetting of any unlicensed person to practice dentistry Obtain or possess any controlled substance for any dangerous drug Advertising to guarantee any dental service, or to perform any dental operation painlessly.
Entry into the boards diversion program is not guaranteed. By what process does a licentiate have to go through to be accepted into the program?
The licentiate is referred by the Program Manager to the diversion evaluation committee for evaluation.
Beneficence, often cited as a fundamental principle of ethics, is:
The obligation to benefit others or to seek their good
The term "nonmaleficence" means:
To act in a manner that protects the patient from harm
Patients are dependent on the expertise of dentist to know their oral health status. Therefore, when informing a patient of the status of his or her oral health, the dentist should exercise care that the comments made are:
Truthful, informed and justifiable
The dental assistant has an obligation to protect the health and well-being of a patient by:
Undertaking assignments only one qualified to perform them competently
What term is known to define honesty for truth telling and is considered the bedrock of a trusting doctor-patient relationship?
VERACITY
The dental board diversion program identifies and rehabilitates licentiate whose competency may be impaired due to abuse of dangerous drugs or alcohol, so that licentiates so afflicted maybe treated and returned to the practice of dentistry in a manner which will not endanger the public health and safety. Under what conditions may a licentiate enter into the diversion program?
Voluntarily for those seeking diversion in treatment and supervision As a condition of discipline
The front office person in your dental office is asked to come to the back to perform room clean-up of an operatory. She needs to remove dirty instruments to the central sterilization area and place the instruments into the ultrasonic cleaner. Are these duties considered dental assistant duties?
Yes, they are extraoral dental assistant duties and the front office person would be considered a dental assistant if performing a defined duty of a dental assistant.
Which term best describes a procedure limited to the removal of plaque and stain from exposed tooth services?
coronal polishing
While working in a primary care facility or specialty clinic, a registered dental assistant may perform which of the following procedures under the direct supervision of a registered dental hygienist?
coronal polishing
Which term describes the supervision of dental procedures that are prescribed by the dentist who must be present and check the completed procedure before dismissing the patient?
direct supervision
A dentist may permit any dental auxiliary to perform procedures necessary for diagnostic purposes before conducting a preliminary oral examination, provided that the procedures are permitted under the auxiliaries authorized scope of practice.
false
A failure or refusal to comply with a court order, issued in the enforcement of a subpoena, mandating the release of records to the board constitutes unprofessional conduct and is grounds for suspension or revocation of his or her license.
false
A licensee or permit holder completing a course in basic life support may count the course for up to three continuing education units of mandatory education.
false
A licentiate requesting participation in the program may do so without referral from the diversion program manager.
false
Any course provider offering Infection Control and California Dental Practice Act courses may issue continuing education certifications to participants of these courses.
false
It is unprofessional conduct for a licensed person to use any instrument or device in a manner that is in accordance with the customary standards and practices of the dental profession.
false
Only the dentist has a duty to respect each patient's individuality, humanity, and autonomy in decision-making.
false
The Board may disciplines a licentiate by placing him or her on probation with additional terms and conditions but may not require him or her to obtain additional training or pass an examination, or both.
false
The Board may reinstate a license to a practitioner who has failed to pay the costs he or she was ordered to pay.
false
The Board may, as a term of probation, require community service in cases involving violations relating to the quality of care.
false
What two terms, together, best describe the pervasive issues in dental practice ranging from elemental procedural issues such as who shall receive treatment first, to complex questions of who shall receive treatment at all?
justice and fairness
The license of a registered dental assistant shall not be renewed until evidence of course completion in _____________ is provided to the Dental Board
pit and fissure sealants
Which term describes a set of policies and standards set by the Dental Board of California and if not adhered to may result in a citation and fine by the Board?
regulation
The board has the authority to discipline a licentiate for what reason(s)?
repeated acts of negligence in his or her profession
A dentist's ethical obligation to identify and report signs of abuse and neglect is, at the minimum, to be consistent with a dentist's legal obligation in the jurisdiction where the dentist practices.
true
A licentiate who is not the subject of a current investigation may self-refer to the diversion program on a confidential basis.
true
A registered dental assistant or registered dental assistant in an extended functions who holds a permit as an orthodontic assistant or a dental sedation assistant shall not be required to complete additional continuing education requirements Beyond that which is required for licensure renewal in order to renew either permit.
true
Any proceeding initiated by the board against the licensee for the violation of any provision of the regulations shall be filed within three years after the board discovers the act or within seven years after the alleged act.
true
Care should be exercised to respect the wishes of an adult patient who asks that a suspected case of abuse and/or neglect not be reported, where such a report is not mandated by law.
true
It is unprofessional conduct for a licensed person to perform, or hold him or herself out as able to perform, professional services beyond the scope of his or her license in the field or fields of competence as established by his or her education, experience, and training.
true
It is unprofessional conduct for any dentist to perform or allow to be performed any treatment on a patient who is not a patient of record of that dentist.
true
Neither acceptance nor participation in the diversion program shall prevent the Board from investigating or continuing to investigate, or taking disciplinary action against, any licentiate for any unprofessional conduct committed before, during, or after participation in the diversion program
true
Tape-recorded courses, home study materials, video courses, and computer courses are considered correspondence courses and will be accepted for credit of up to, but not exceeding, ½ of the licensee's total required units.
true
The Board has the authority to hold proceedings to consider an action against a licentiate conviction of a misdemeanor or felony that is deemed substantially related to the qualifications, functions, for duties of a dentist for dental assistant.
true
The Board made discipline a licentiate by placing him or her on probation with the additional terms and conditions such as restricting for limiting the extent, scope or type of practice of the licentiate.
true
The dental assistant has a duty to respect each patient's individuality, humanity, and autonomy in decision-making.
true
The dental assistant has a duty to respect each patient's right to confidentiality.
true
The dental assistant has an obligation to enhance professional competency through continuous learning, incorporating new knowledge into daily performance of delegated services.
true
The dentist has a duty to communicate truthfully. This principle expresses the concept that professionals have the duty to be honest and trustworthy in their dealings with people.
true
The dentist relies on the honesty of the patient to gather the facts necessary to form a proper diagnosis.
true
The dentist's ethical obligation in the event of an exposure incident extends to providing information concerning the dentist's own blood-borne pathogen status to the evaluating health care practitioner and to submitting to testing that will assist in the evaluation of the patient.
true
The diversion program is a voluntary alternative approach to traditional disciplinary action.
true