Dental Assisting Vocabulary Review (Expanded Functions, Ethics & Law)

Vocabulary flashcards covering expanded-function roles, ethics, and legal concepts relevant to dental assisting.

EFDA (Expanded-functions Dental Assistant)

A dental assistant who performs intraoral procedures beyond chairside duties, legally permissible only where allowed by state dental practice act and requiring additional training or certification.

Chairside dental assistant

A dental assistant who primarily assists the dentist at chairside and performs standard intraoral tasks unless delegated expanded functions by state laws.

Expanded-functions dental assistant (EFDA) scope variability

The delegation of EFDA duties varies by state and is governed by the state dental practice act; what is permissible changes by jurisdiction.

Direct supervision

A supervision standard where the dentist must examine the patient before and after the procedure and authorize the procedure.

General supervision

A supervision standard where the dentist must authorize procedures, but need not examine the patient before and after every procedure.

Informed consent

Permission given by a patient after being informed about a procedure’s risks, benefits, and alternatives; it is a process, not merely a signed form.

Predetermination

A notice to the patient of expected benefits before performing a procedure; does not authorize the procedure.

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; protects patient privacy and requires safeguards for protected health information.

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration; federal agency regulating workplace safety standards for employees.

OSAP

Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention; a professional infection control organization in dentistry.

ADA (American Dental Association)

National professional organization for dentistry that establishes guidelines and ethical standards.

ADAA (American Dental Assistants Association)

Professional organization for dental assistants that promotes education, ethics, and professional development.

Endodontist

Dental specialist who treats diseases and injuries of the dental pulp and related structures, commonly performing root canal therapy.

Periodontist

Dental specialist who treats diseases of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth.

Orthodontist

Dental specialist who diagnoses, prevents, and treats malocclusions (bite problems).

Prosthodontist

Dental specialist who replaces missing natural teeth and related structures with prostheses.

Oral and maxillofacial radiology

Dental specialty using radiographic imaging to diagnose diseases of the jaw, head, and neck.

Dental public health

Specialty focused on community oral health, fluoridation programs, and population-based prevention.

EFDA scope and state laws

EFDA tasks permitted depend on state law; operators must follow state practice acts and delegations.

Duty of care / Standard of care

Legal obligation to provide competent, appropriate care; exists once a dentist–patient relationship is established.

Respondeat superior

Legal doctrine making an employer liable for the actions of employees performed within the scope of employment.

Four Ds of malpractice

Duty, Dereliction (negligence), Direct cause, and Damages—required elements to prove malpractice.

Res ipsa loquitur

Latin for 'the thing speaks for itself'; a doctrine where negligence may be inferred from the mere occurrence of an event.

Abandonment

Unlawful dismissal of a patient; requires written termination notice and continuation of care for a reasonable period.

Minor consent

Consent for a minor’s treatment must be given by a parent or legal guardian; a neighbor cannot consent.

Business assistant

Administrative member of the dental team responsible for scheduling, records, billing, and HIPAA/privacy compliance.

Confidentiality

Principle of keeping patient information private and not discussing it outside the office.

Veracity

Truth-telling; honesty in communicating with patients.

Autonomy

Right of patients to make their own informed decisions about treatment.

Beneficence

Acting in the patient’s best interest to promote good and well-being.

Nonmaleficence

Principle of doing no harm to the patient.

Justice

Fair and equitable treatment of patients and fair distribution of healthcare resources.

Duty of disclosure (informed consent context)

Dentist’s obligation to discuss options, risks, and alternatives; exceptions apply in certain situations.

Continuing education (CE)

Ongoing education required by many states for licensure or registration; not uniformly mandated by federal law.

DANB (Dental Assisting National Board)

Certifying body that credentials dental assistants through examinations and credentials.

Statutory law

Law enacted by legislative bodies (federal, state, or local) that governs professional practice.

Administrative law

Regulations created by government agencies (e.g., OSHA, HIPAA) to implement statutory laws.

Tort law

Law governing wrongs or harm caused to persons, leading to civil liability.

Contract law

Law governing binding agreements between two or more parties.

Informed consent content

Discussion of treatment options, risks, benefits, and alternatives; more than just signing a form.

Chart correction guidelines (legal charting)

Correcting chart entries by drawing a single line, initialing and dating, and not using white-out; originals preserved.

Referral to a specialist

Refer a patient when a case is unusual or beyond the general practitioner’s scope.

Record ownership and access

The dentist typically owns originals; patients may have rights to access or obtain copies, usually via written release.

Mandated reporter

A professional required by law to report suspected child abuse to authorities; many dental professionals are mandated reporters.

Informed consent as a process

A personalized discussion ensuring understanding of options, not simply a document signing.

Ethical principles in dentistry

Autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, confidentiality, and veracity guide moral decision-making.

Ethics code as self-regulation

Professional ethics guides behavior and standards voluntarily adopted by members of the profession, not laws.