Week Ten (Chapter 15 & 18): Legal issues... and Introduction to dental imaging exmaniations

PPT done

What happens if a dental image is not properly 'exposed' or 'used' according to the notes?

The possibility of negligent care exists

What is meant by performing imaging procedures under the 'direct supervision' of a dentist?

The dentist must be in the building and available

Which of the following is true regarding dental radiography laws across different provinces?

Each province deals with dental radiography differently

If a hygienist wants to take certain dental images, what might they need to obtain first?

Additional certification in dental imaging

Restrictions on 'types of dental images' refers to which of the following?

Which specific images a hygienist is legally allowed to expose

What is the primary goal of 'Risk Management' in a dental office?

To reduce the likelihood of a malpractice lawsuit

What is the primary purpose of policies like informed consent and liability procedures?

To reduce the likelihood of a malpractice lawsuit

Why should a dental radiographer never say anything negative about the x-ray equipment to a patient?

Because such statements are admissible as evidence in court

What is 'Informed Consent' based on?

The patient being informed of the risks and benefits before agreeing

When can a statement made by a staff member be used in a court of law?

At the time of an alleged negligent act

Who is protected by following these risk management policies?

Both the dental radiographer and the supervising dentist

What is the legal right of a person seeking health care to make choices about their treatment called?

Self-determination

Whose responsibility is it to discuss the need for dental images with the patient?

The dental professional

According to the principle of self-determination, a patient has the right to:

Either consent to or refuse treatment

When should a patient be informed about the various aspects of a proposed treatment?

Before receiving the treatment

What must be included in the discussion regarding dental imaging?

The need for images and the proposed procedures

What does 'Disclosure' refer to in the context of dental imaging?

The process of informing the patient about the particulars of exposing images

Which of the following is NOT a required piece of information for informed consent?

The name of the titanium manufacturer for the dental chair

Why must a dental professional discuss 'Alternative diagnostic aids'?

To give the patient information about other ways to serve the same purpose

A patient asks who will be taking their x-rays. According to informed consent rules, you must:

Identify the person responsible for exposing the images

What is meant by discussing the 'potential benefits' of the images?

Explaining how the images will help in diagnosis and treatment

By definition, informed consent is only valid if it is given following:

Complete disclosure of all relevant information

What is the requirement regarding a patient's willingness to consent?

The consent must be given voluntarily

Regarding the language used during disclosure, a dental professional should:

Use terms the patient can understand without oversimplifying

What should the dental radiographer ensure happens at the end of the explanation?

The patient is provided an opportunity to ask questions

If a patient gives consent but was not told about the risks, is the consent 'Informed'?

No, because complete disclosure of all information was not presented

If a patient agrees to an x-ray while they are clearly under the influence of alcohol, why is the consent invalid?

Because the individual is not in a state to provide competent consent

Which of the following describes consent obtained by 'Duress'?

The patient was pressured or forced into giving consent

Who has the legal right to provide consent for a 'Minor' patient?

A parent or legal guardian

Consent obtained after 'Incomplete disclosure' is invalid because:

The patient did not receive all the information needed to make a choice

What is 'Fraudulent means' in obtaining consent?

Providing false or misleading information to get the patient to agree

Who is legally accountable for supervising the performance of dental auxiliaries in a dental office?

The dentist

If a dental hygienist makes an error during an x-ray, which statement is true regarding liability?

Dental hygienists are also legally liable for their own actions

What has been the recent trend in dental negligence or malpractice lawsuits?

To sue the dentist

Why is the dentist often sued even if the hygienist performed the specific act in question?

Because they are legally accountable to supervise the auxiliary staff

A dental hygienist following all regulations and standards of care is:

Reducing their own legal liability

When might the dental radiographer be held liable?

Anhything done maliociousey

What is the legal definition of 'Negligence' in a dental setting?

When treatment delivered falls below the standard of care

According to your notes, negligent care can result from which of the following?

Either the action or lack of action of a dental professional

How is the 'Standard of Care' determined in a legal case?

By the quality of care provided by practitioners in a similar locality

If a hygienist fails to take an x-ray that was clearly necessary for diagnosis, this is an example of:

Negligence due to a lack of action

Why is 'Exposing the incorrect number of dental images' considered a form of negligence?

Because it results in unnecessary radiation exposure or incomplete diagnosis

What is the primary legal problem with 'Lost or misplaced dental images'?

It destroys the permanent record of the patient's condition and treatment

Regarding 'Nondiagnostic images', why are frequent retakes legally problematic?

They increase the patient's exposure to ionizing radiation unnecessarily

If a procedure is performed perfectly but 'Informed consent' was not obtained, it is still negligence because:

The patient did not have the chance to exercise their right of self-determination

Who can be held responsible for the negligence of taking nondiagnostic images?

Both the dentist (supervisor) and the dental auxiliary (operator)

What is the primary purpose of the 'Statute of Limitations'?

To set a time period during which a patient may bring a malpractice action

When does a patient 'frequently' discover that previous treatment may have been negligent?

When they seek care from another dental professional

Whose responsibility is it to review and report all information from dental images?

The dentist

What is a potential consequence of failing to provide 'early detection' of dental disease?

The condition may become irreversible and harder to treat

A dental professional is worried that a certain finding will cause the patient too much stress. They should:

Inform the patient of all findings regardless of potential worry

Is it acceptable to hide a condition from a patient because the treatment cost might be too high for them?

No, the patient has the right to be fully informed of all findings

Which of the following must be included in the dental record regarding x-ray exposure?

The number and type of images, including any retakes

What does the 'Rationale' for dental images refer to in the record?

The clinical reason why the images were necessary

Who is considered a 'Nonprivileged person' regarding patient information?

Someone not directly involved in the patient's treatment

An 'Imaging report' in the dental record should include:

Diagnostic information obtained from interpreting the images

Is it legal to transfer dental images to a patient's friend without the patient's consent?

No, confidentiality laws prohibit transfer to nonprivileged persons

State confidentiality laws specifically prohibit the transfer of information to:

Nonprivileged persons without authorization

Legally, who is the owner of the dental images exposed in a clinic?

The dentist

If a patient requests their dental images to take to another office, the dentist should:

Provide reasonable access or a duplicate of the images

For a minor patient, how long must the dental records be retained according to RCDSO?

At least 10 years after the day the patient turns 18

Why is it advised NOT to give original dental images to the patient?

Because the dentist might need them to defend against a future malpractice claim

According to RCDSO, what should happen to records after the required 10-year retention period ends?

They may be destroyed securely, following confidentiality protocols

If a patient refuses a required x-ray, who makes the final decision on whether treatment can still be provided?

The dentist

A patient argues that radiation is too dangerous. According to your notes, the dental professional should explain that:

The risk from radiation is minute compared to the risk of working without an image

Why is 'working without a current image' generally avoided in dentistry?

Because it violates the accepted standard of care

If a dentist decides that an accurate diagnosis CANNOT be made without x-rays, they should:

Refuse to provide treatment that requires those images

Can a patient legally sign a document that releases a dentist from all liability for skipping necessary x-rays?

No document can be signed that releases the dentist from liability in this case

Why is a patient's consent to 'negligent care' considered legally invalid?

Legally, a patient cannot consent to care that falls below the professional standard

If a dentist proceeds with treatment after a patient signs a 'refusal waiver', and a complication occurs, the dentist is:

Still liable because they provided care without a standard diagnosis

Why are intraoral examinations considered the 'foundation' of dental imaging?

Because they provide a detailed inspection of teeth and adjacent structures

What is the defining characteristic of an 'Intraoral Receptor'?

It is placed inside the mouth to examine teeth and supporting structures

Which of the following is described as the 'most commonly used' type of intraoral receptor?

X-ray film

In addition to the teeth, what else is an intraoral receptor used to examine?

Supporting structures like the alveolar bone

What are 'Adjacent structures' in the context of an intraoral examination?

Tissues and bone immediately surrounding the teeth

What is the primary purpose of a periapical examination?

To examine the entire tooth and its supporting bone

What part of the tooth is the 'Apex'?

The end or tip of the tooth root

Which imaging techniques can be used to expose a periapical image?

Paralleling or bisecting techniques

If a periapical image only shows the crown of the tooth and cuts off the root tip, it is:

Nondiagnostic and may require a retake

What is the unique feature of a Bitewing image compared to a Periapical image?

It examines the crowns of both maxillary and mandibular teeth on one film

Why is it important to have 'open contacts' in a Bitewing image?

To accurately examine adjacent tooth surfaces for caries

Which bone structure is specifically mentioned as a required part of a Bitewing image?

The crestal bone (alveolar crest)

Like Periapical images, Bitewing images can be exposed using which techniques?

Paralleling or bisecting techniques

If a Bitewing image shows the crowns clearly but has heavy overlapping between the teeth, it is:

Nondiagnostic for interproximal surfaces and may need a retake

Which type of examination is best suited for viewing large areas of the maxilla or mandible on a single film?

Occlusal examination

What is the standard receptor size used for adult occlusal examinations?

Size 4

In a pediatric dental office, which receptor size is most commonly used for the occlusal technique?

Size 2

Which of the following is another common name for a Full Mouth Series (FMS)?

Complete Mouth Series (CMS)

What areas should be captured in a Full Mouth Series?

All tooth-bearing regions, including dentulous and edentulous areas

An FMS typically consists of a range of how many films?

14 to 20 films

Why might the number of images in an FMS vary between 14 and 20?

It depends on the amount of dentulous vs. edentulous areas

Which of the following combinations is commonly seen in an FMS?

A combination of both periapicals and bitewings

Which regions are specifically included in the 'tooth bearing regions' of an FMS?

Both dentulous and edentulous regions of the maxilla and mandible

True/False: Cane be exposed with either paralleling or bisecting techinque for FMS?

True

What is the minimum amount of bone that must be visible beyond the apex in a periapical radiograph?

2-3mm

Based on your notes, what does 'tooth-bearing area' mean?

Any region of the jaws that normally support teeth

Which quality is required for an intraoral image to be considered diagnostic?

Optimum density, contrast, definition, and detail

In a Bitewing image, what MUST be shown to evaluate periodontal health?

Open contacts and crestal bone (alveolar crest)

Which of the following is the defining characteristic of an extraoral imaging examination?

The receptors are placed outside the mouth to inspect large areas of the skull or jaws

Which extraoral image is most commonly used to provide a wide, 2D view of the entire upper and lower jaws and teeth?

Panoramic image