An elderly patient arrives with her son and has an unexplained bruise on her hand that raises suspicion of abuse. What should the dentist do?

As with child abuse, dentists are mandated reporters for suspected elder abuse — a report should be made to the appropriate adult protective services agency once abuse is reasonably suspected; certainty is not required. (In real practice, privately interviewing the patient is also good practice and often happens alongside reporting, but the documented exam answer emphasizes the reporting obligation itself.)