California Dental Law and Ethics Exam
UPDATED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
California Dental Board - CORRECT ANSWER Responsible for licensing dentists and
dental assistants, enforcing the dental practice act, and promoting consumer health and safety.
Dental Assisting Council - CORRECT ANSWER Considers matters on dental assisting
and makes recommendations to the Dental Board.
Dentistry - CORRECT ANSWER Diagnosis or treatment of diseases and lesions of
human teeth, alveolar process, gums, jaws, or associated structures.
Scope of Practice - CORRECT ANSWER Licensed dentists can diagnose and treat
diseases and make corrections to human teeth and associated structures.
Patient of Record - CORRECT ANSWER A person who has completed a medical
history form, been examined by a licensed dentist, and has a written treatment plan.
Standard of Care - CORRECT ANSWER The level of care that a reasonably prudent
dentist would exercise under the same circumstances.
Compassion - CORRECT ANSWER Caring and identifying with the patient's overall
well-being.
Autonomy - CORRECT ANSWER The patient's right to determine what should be
done with their own bodies.This is the foundation for informed consent.
Beneficence: - CORRECT ANSWER The obligation to benefit others and seek their
good.You need to have the patient's best interests at heart.
,Competence - CORRECT ANSWER The ability to diagnose and treat the patient's oral
health needs and refer when it is in the patient's best interest.
Integrity - CORRECT ANSWER Behaving with honor and decency, upholding
professional standards.
Justice - CORRECT ANSWER Fairness in distributing treatment and resources. They
describe this as being relevant in "who gets treatment first, or at all"
Tolerance - CORRECT ANSWER Dentists often practice in complex cultural and
ethically diverse communities. Cultural differences exist and dentists are expected to
understand how these differences may affect patient choices and treatment.
Professionalism - CORRECT ANSWER Self- governance is the hallmark of a
profession. Dentistry governs itself. We all need to work together for the collective good of
society, so we need to act like good, responsible professionals.
Veracity - CORRECT ANSWER You must be truthful. This is the foundation for the
trusting doctor patient relationship, as you rely on your patient telling you the truth and they
rely on you for the same.
Informed Consent - CORRECT ANSWER A conversation between patient and doctor
discussing risks, benefits, and alternatives of treatment.
Dismissal - CORRECT ANSWER Arrangements for patients to seek care elsewhere if
a professional relationship cannot continue.
Referrals - CORRECT ANSWER Sending patients to other providers for treatment
outside of your scope of practice or in case of relocation, insurance changes, or retirement.
Patient Record Keeping - CORRECT ANSWER Keeping patient records secure,
maintaining them for a certain period, and transferring them in case of sale or retirement.
, Conditions that Require Future Care - CORRECT ANSWER Informing patients of
dental conditions that require future treatment or evaluation.
Managing Emergencies - CORRECT ANSWER Making arrangements for emergency
care for patients during and after office hours.
Diagnosis and Treatment Planning - CORRECT ANSWER Providing dental treatment
based only on conditions indicated from diagnosis.
Advertising - CORRECT ANSWER Complying with legal standards regarding
advertising dental qualifications and services.
Dental board of California (DBC) is responsible for licensing dentists and dental assistants/
approving their education programs, for enforcing the dental practice act, and promoting the
health and safety of CONSUMERS (NOT DENTISTS) in California. - CORRECT
ANSWER It's part of the Department of Consumer Affairs◦Its the main authority
regulating the practice of dentistry in CA◦Comprised of: 8 practicing dentists, 4 members of
the public, 1 Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH), 1
Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)
Dental Hygiene Committee of California - CORRECT ANSWER Members are
appointed by the CA governor◦They are responsible for licensing Hygienists and approving
their education programs ◦Comprised of: 1 practicing dentist, 4 members of the public, 4
RDH's
You change your address: - CORRECT ANSWER must notify within 30 days.
An adverse event occurs under your care: - CORRECT ANSWER you must notify the
board in writing within 7 days.
UPDATED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
California Dental Board - CORRECT ANSWER Responsible for licensing dentists and
dental assistants, enforcing the dental practice act, and promoting consumer health and safety.
Dental Assisting Council - CORRECT ANSWER Considers matters on dental assisting
and makes recommendations to the Dental Board.
Dentistry - CORRECT ANSWER Diagnosis or treatment of diseases and lesions of
human teeth, alveolar process, gums, jaws, or associated structures.
Scope of Practice - CORRECT ANSWER Licensed dentists can diagnose and treat
diseases and make corrections to human teeth and associated structures.
Patient of Record - CORRECT ANSWER A person who has completed a medical
history form, been examined by a licensed dentist, and has a written treatment plan.
Standard of Care - CORRECT ANSWER The level of care that a reasonably prudent
dentist would exercise under the same circumstances.
Compassion - CORRECT ANSWER Caring and identifying with the patient's overall
well-being.
Autonomy - CORRECT ANSWER The patient's right to determine what should be
done with their own bodies.This is the foundation for informed consent.
Beneficence: - CORRECT ANSWER The obligation to benefit others and seek their
good.You need to have the patient's best interests at heart.
,Competence - CORRECT ANSWER The ability to diagnose and treat the patient's oral
health needs and refer when it is in the patient's best interest.
Integrity - CORRECT ANSWER Behaving with honor and decency, upholding
professional standards.
Justice - CORRECT ANSWER Fairness in distributing treatment and resources. They
describe this as being relevant in "who gets treatment first, or at all"
Tolerance - CORRECT ANSWER Dentists often practice in complex cultural and
ethically diverse communities. Cultural differences exist and dentists are expected to
understand how these differences may affect patient choices and treatment.
Professionalism - CORRECT ANSWER Self- governance is the hallmark of a
profession. Dentistry governs itself. We all need to work together for the collective good of
society, so we need to act like good, responsible professionals.
Veracity - CORRECT ANSWER You must be truthful. This is the foundation for the
trusting doctor patient relationship, as you rely on your patient telling you the truth and they
rely on you for the same.
Informed Consent - CORRECT ANSWER A conversation between patient and doctor
discussing risks, benefits, and alternatives of treatment.
Dismissal - CORRECT ANSWER Arrangements for patients to seek care elsewhere if
a professional relationship cannot continue.
Referrals - CORRECT ANSWER Sending patients to other providers for treatment
outside of your scope of practice or in case of relocation, insurance changes, or retirement.
Patient Record Keeping - CORRECT ANSWER Keeping patient records secure,
maintaining them for a certain period, and transferring them in case of sale or retirement.
, Conditions that Require Future Care - CORRECT ANSWER Informing patients of
dental conditions that require future treatment or evaluation.
Managing Emergencies - CORRECT ANSWER Making arrangements for emergency
care for patients during and after office hours.
Diagnosis and Treatment Planning - CORRECT ANSWER Providing dental treatment
based only on conditions indicated from diagnosis.
Advertising - CORRECT ANSWER Complying with legal standards regarding
advertising dental qualifications and services.
Dental board of California (DBC) is responsible for licensing dentists and dental assistants/
approving their education programs, for enforcing the dental practice act, and promoting the
health and safety of CONSUMERS (NOT DENTISTS) in California. - CORRECT
ANSWER It's part of the Department of Consumer Affairs◦Its the main authority
regulating the practice of dentistry in CA◦Comprised of: 8 practicing dentists, 4 members of
the public, 1 Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH), 1
Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)
Dental Hygiene Committee of California - CORRECT ANSWER Members are
appointed by the CA governor◦They are responsible for licensing Hygienists and approving
their education programs ◦Comprised of: 1 practicing dentist, 4 members of the public, 4
RDH's
You change your address: - CORRECT ANSWER must notify within 30 days.
An adverse event occurs under your care: - CORRECT ANSWER you must notify the
board in writing within 7 days.
