Chapter 2 Professional & Legal Aspects Of Dental Assisting

Question 1

TEAM stands for?

Answer 1

Together, Everyone Accomplishes More.

Question 2

Confidentiality

Answer 2

Personal and financial information must be held in strict confidence and must not be discussed with others. Breaches of confidentiality can result in lawsuit against all parties involved

Question 3

Rapport

Answer 3

“Good relations”

Question 4

Ethics vs laws

Answer 4

Ethics refer to what you SHOULD do, not what you must do. The law deals with what you MUST do.

Question 5

Ethics

Answer 5

Deals with moral conduct (right and wrong behavior, “good” and “evil”), values, high standards of conduct, and personal obligation in interactions with other professionals and patients.

Question 6

Criminal law

Answer 6

Involves crime with society, government agency or the board of dentistry initiate the legal action. Performing a procedure that is not legal is in violation of this law.

Question 7

Civil law

Answer 7

Involves crime against individual with another individual who initiates the legal action. (A dentist may be sued by a patient if he or she is dissatisfied with the treatment or has been injured during treatment)

Question 8

Two types f dental degree in dentistry.

Answer 8

D. D. S (Doctor of Dental Surgery)

D. M. D ( Doctor of Medical Dentistry)

Question 9

A civil action against a dentist may involve either what laws?

Answer 9

Contract law or Tort law

Question 10

Contract law

Answer 10

Involves an agreement or service exchange for payment. Payment must be made. If something is being given away for free with no money or services in exchange, then there can be no contract.

Question 11

Tort law

Answer 11

Involves in an act that brings harm to a person or damage to property. The dentist must have failed to perform the (legal duty)-once a dentist accepts a patient, the dentist then has specific and legal duties to the patient.

Question 12

Legal

Answer 12

In compliance with the law.

Not forbidden by law.

Question 13

Criminal act

Answer 13

Performing procedures that are not legal is the same as practicing dentistry without a license.

Question 14

Breach of contract

Answer 14

Lawsuits occur when either party fails to meet his or her end of a written or verbal contract.

Question 15

Dental Practice Act

Answer 15

Specifies the legal requirements for the practice of dentistry with each state.

Question 16

state board of dentistry

Answer 16

Responsible for enforcing the state’s Dental Practice Act within that state. Also, has the authority to issue,revoke, suspend, and deny renewal of a license.

Question 17

Reciprocity

Answer 17

An agreement between two or more states that allows a dentist or dental hygienist who is licensed in one state to practice in any of the other states without further examination or retesting by using this agreement.

Question 18

Dental auxiliary

Answer 18

Dental hygienist, dental assistant, and dental lab tech

Question 19

Direct supervision

Answer 19

A dentist is physically present while the dental auxiliary who is performing the specific delegated procedures on the patient by the dentist; also has met the legal requirements of the state board of dentistry.

Question 20

General supervision (Indirect supervision)

Answer 20

The dentist has authorized and delegated specific procedures that may be performed by a legal qualified dental auxiliary for a patient of record. Functions that are often delegated under GS/IS are exposing radiographs and recementing a temporary crowns that has dislodged.

Question 21

CDA (Certified Dental Assistant)

Answer 21

Individual who has taken and passed a national examination administered by (DANB) Dental Assisting National Board. To remain currently certified, must complete specified number of continuing education hrs and must pay an annually fee for renewal. Some states require a DA to be CDA to perform certain expanded functions.

Question 22

RDA (Registered Dental Assistant)

Answer 22

Individual hi has taken and passed an examination required by a specific state to perform functions allowed only in that state. States registration usually require periodic (annul or biannual) renewal through the payment of a fee and specified number of clock hrs of continuing education credits. Registration of DAs I no t available in all states.

Question 23

Risk management

Answer 23

Concepts and techniques that members of the dental team use to help prevent a malpractice lawsuits.

Question 24

The major areas of the risk management (prevention of malpractice lawsuits)

Answer 24

Maintaining accurate and complete records.
Obtaining informed consent.
Doing everything possible to maintain the highest stat dares of clinical excellence.

Question 25

Avoiding malpractice lawsuits. Patients are less likely to initiate a lawsuit when they have a clear understanding of the following:

Answer 25

Planned treatment Reasonable treatment results Potential treatment complications Financial obligation

Question 26

res gestae (“part of the action”)

Answer 26

Statements spontaneously made by anyone (including the dental assistant) at the time of alleged negligent act are admissible as evidence and may be damaging to the dentist and the dental assistant in a court of law. Avoid the use of the words such as “whoops” and “uh-oh”.

Question 27

“Silence is Golden”

Answer 27

The dental assistant must never make critical remarks about dental treatment rendered by an employer or another dentist. Never discuss the dentist’s liability insurance.

Question 28

Informed consent

Answer 28

Permission gratned by a patient after being informed about the advantages, disadvantages, and alternatives of a procedure.

Question 29

Implied consent

Answer 29

Consent in which the patient’s actions indicates the consent for treatment.

Question 30

HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)

Answer 30

The law that deals with patients confidentiality. | An act passed by Congress to address security and privacy of health data.

Question 31

CDC (Centers of Disease Control and Prevention)

Answer 31

Federal agency that makes recommendations on health and safety issues.

Question 32

OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration)

Answer 32

Division of the U. S. Department of Labor. | Issues and enforces regulations pertaining to employee safety in the workplace.

Question 33

EPA (U. S. Environmental Protection Agency)

Answer 33

Deals with issues of concern for the environment or public safety that involve air and water pollution and waste management. Responsible for the registration of chemical disinfectants.

Question 34

FDA (U. S. Food and Drug Administration)

Answer 34

Issues clearance for all medical and dental devices marketed in the U.S. Regulates sterilization technology, which can include equipment and liquid chemical sterilants, to ensure that they are consistent with the claims on their labels.

Question 35

ADAA (American Dental Assisting Association)

Answer 35

Professional organization for dental assistants. | *with ADAA membership, it gives the DA a voice in national affairs.

Question 36

ADA (American Dental Association)

Answer 36

Professional organization for dentists. | *it sets standards of practice for dentists, but does not regulate or mandate guidelines.

Question 37

ADHA (American Dental Hygienists Association)

Answer 37

Professional organization for dental hygienists.

Question 38

DANB (Dental Assisting National Board)

Answer 38

Independent organization. | Administers the Dental Assisting Board Examination and issues the credential of certified Dental Assistants (CDA).

Question 39

OSAP ( Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention)

Answer 39

Dentistry’s resource for infection control and safety information. It is nonprofit organization made up of all members of the dental health team, dental manufacturers, researchers, and dental consultants and educators. Its mission is to promote infection control and related health and safety policies and practices.