dental law and ethics

dental abandonment

stopping a patients treatment without any notice or replacement

Admistrative Law

rules and regulations set by government agencies

civil law

laws against an individual, corporation or other organizations(involves lots of compensation)

contract law

set of laws that specify what constitutes a legally enforceable agreement

criminal law

a system of law concerned with the punishment of those who commit crimes.

dental auxillary

Can be a dental assistant, a dental hygienist, or a dental laboratory technician

direct supervision

Level of supervision in which the dentist is physically present when the dental auxiliary performs delegated functions

indirect supervision

the dentist must authorize procedure and be in the office while the procedures are performed

due care

Just, proper, and sufficient care, or the absence of negligence

Expanded functions dental assistant

specific intra-oral tasks delegated to dental auxiliaries who have additional training/skills

expressed contract

A contract that is established through verbal or written words

Implied Contract

a contract that comes about from the actions of the parties

general supervision

same as indirect supervision

HIPPA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996; law protecting patients privacy

Implied consent

the patient's actions indicate that they are giving consent for the procedure

informed consent

permission granted in the knowledge of the possible consequences, typically that which is given by a patient to a doctor for treatment with full knowledge of the possible risks and benefits.

Malpractice

professional negligence

mandated reporters

Designated professionals who are required by law to report known or suspected child abuse

patient of record

patients who's been seen, examined, diagnosed and had a treatment plan made at the dental office.

Reciprocity

System that allows individuals in one state to obtain a license in another state without retesting

res gestae

Latin for "things done." Statements made by a person present at the time of an alleged negligent act that are admissible as evidence in a court of law.

Res Ipsa Loquitur

A doctrine under which negligence may be inferred simply because an event occurred, if it is the type of event that would not occur in the absence of negligence. Literally, the term means "the facts speak for themselves."

Respondeat Superior

A doctrine under which a principal or an employer is held liable for the wrongful acts committed by agents or employees while acting within the course and scope of their agency or employment.

standard of care

Level of knowledge, skill, and care comparable with that of other dentists who are treating similar patients under similar conditions

State Dental Practice Act

Document of law that specifies legal requirements for practicing dentistry in a particular state

Tort Law

Involving an act that brings harm to a person or damage to property

written consent

Consent that requires a written explanation of diagnostic findings, prescribed treatment, and reasonable expectations about treatment results