Law & Ethics Flashcards
true or false: financial information should be kept in a patient’s dental record
false
what is the only thing that should be displayed on the cover of a patient’s chart
name or account number
who is ultimately responsible for a patient’s chart
the dentist
when correcting an alteration on a patient’s chart, should you cross out the information so it is unreadable
no, cross out with a thin line, date and initial each change
confidentiality defintion
holds information entrusted by the patient (not to be disclosed)
societal trust definition
ensures a positive relationship between the general public and the healthcare professional
nonmaleficence definition
treat patients in a way that minimizes harm
beneficence definition
treat patients with a commitment to provide the highest standard of care
justice definition
treat patients with fairness, regardless of all factors
veracity definition
provide only truthful information
autonomy definition
provide the patient the freedom of choice to make dental decisions based on the dental assessment given by the healthcare professional
paternalism defintion
act as a parent would on behalf of a child
standard of care definition
all patients should be granted the same level of attentiveness
utilitarian definition
the greatest good for the greatest number of individuals is the right action
deontological definition
a person should act right regardless of consequence
virtual ethics definition
right actions are based on the actions of a virtuous person
what is an ethical dilemma
2+ ethical principles are in conflict, but each principle can be morally justifiable
what are the 6 steps in solving an ethical dilemma
- identify the problem
- collect information
- formulate opinions
- apply ethical principles to the options
5.choose an option - implement the decision
criminal law definition
crime against the society
civil law definition
crime against an individual
implied contract definition
assumed agreement made in silence or with no action
expressed contract definition
oral or written agreement
abandonment defintion
failure to provide services after contract
tort law definition
wrongful conduct against a person
malpractice or unintentional tort definition
carelessness without the intent to harm a patient
supervised neglect definition
patient needs further professional care but is discharged from care
intentional tort examples
battery, assault, defamation, slander, and libel
slander vs. libel
slander is spoken and libel is written
informed refusal definition
patient declines treatment after it is presented
