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Ethics & Law · single question

What constitutes patient abandonment in dental ethics and law?

  1. A dentist appropriately terminates the provider-patient relationship with adequate notice and offers referral/transition of care
  2. A dentist unilaterally stops providing necessary care to an active patient without adequate notice or a reasonable opportunity for the patient to find alternative care
  3. A patient who misses a scheduled appointment
  4. A dentist referring a patient to a specialist for treatment outside their scope
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. A dentist unilaterally stops providing necessary care to an active patient without adequate notice or a reasonable opportunity for the patient to find alternative care

Patient abandonment occurs when a dentist terminates an ongoing treatment relationship improperly — without sufficient notice, without completing any urgent/emergency care, and without giving the patient a reasonable chance to secure care elsewhere. Properly dismissing a patient (with notice, records transfer, and emergency coverage for a defined period) is NOT abandonment.

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