Ethics & Law · single question
A dentist can dismiss a patient in all of the following situations EXCEPT:
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. You are the only dentist in the area
✓ D) Being the only nearby dentist is the EXCEPTION — dismissal is NOT appropriate.
A dentist may dismiss a patient for: harassment, repeated no-shows, non-payment, non-compliance with treatment — as long as proper notice and transition care are provided. However, if you are the ONLY dentist in the geographic area, dismissing a patient could constitute patient abandonment since they have no realistic access to alternative care. Abandonment is an ethical/legal violation. In that case, the dentist has a heightened duty of care and cannot simply dismiss without ensuring access to care elsewhere.
A dentist may dismiss a patient for: harassment, repeated no-shows, non-payment, non-compliance with treatment — as long as proper notice and transition care are provided. However, if you are the ONLY dentist in the geographic area, dismissing a patient could constitute patient abandonment since they have no realistic access to alternative care. Abandonment is an ethical/legal violation. In that case, the dentist has a heightened duty of care and cannot simply dismiss without ensuring access to care elsewhere.