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Ethics & Law · single question

Which scenario best reflects an application of the ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct?

  1. A dentist obtains proper informed consent, maintains patient confidentiality, and provides care within their scope of competence, referring to a specialist when a case exceeds their training
  2. A dentist treats a patient without explaining the procedure or its risks
  3. A dentist shares a patient's treatment details with a third party without consent or a legal requirement to do so
  4. A dentist continues providing a treatment they know is not in the patient's best interest because it is more profitable
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Correct answer: A. A dentist obtains proper informed consent, maintains patient confidentiality, and provides care within their scope of competence, referring to a specialist when a case exceeds their training

The ADA's core ethical principles — patient autonomy (informed consent), nonmaleficence/beneficence (acting in the patient's best interest, including appropriate referral when a case exceeds one's training), confidentiality, and justice — are reflected in obtaining proper consent, maintaining confidentiality, and referring appropriately. The other options each violate a specific core principle (autonomy/informed consent, confidentiality, and beneficence/professional integrity, respectively).

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