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California Dentistry Law and Ethics Examination — Information & Free Practice

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California Dentistry Law and Ethics Examination

Provider
PSI Services LLC (PSI), under contract with the Dental Board of California
Format
Computer-based written examination, one question per screen
Exam fee
Board application fee $125 (non-refundable); PSI charges a separate examination fee
Examination outline
  • 1. Law - 1A. Patient Information (15%)
    • Comply with legal requirements regarding the release of patient information.
    • Knowledge of laws related to sharing HIV status of patients.
    • Knowledge of laws related to sharing patient information with guardians.
    • Knowledge of laws related to sharing patient information with financially responsible parties.
    • Knowledge of laws related to sharing patient information with collection agencies.
    • Knowledge of laws related to sharing patient information when records are audited.
    • Knowledge of laws related to sharing patient information when records are subpoenaed.
    • Knowledge of criteria to determine if information is confidential according to HIPAA.
    • Comply with legal requirements when documenting dental treatment.
    • Knowledge of laws related to documentation of patient prescriptions.
    • Knowledge of laws related to alterations of medical and dental records.
    • Comply with legal requirements for storage and disposal of patient records.
    • Knowledge of laws related to storage and disposal of records when closing a dental practice.
    • Knowledge of laws related to the security of stored records.
    • Comply with legal requirements in the event of suspected unauthorized access to patient medical or dental records.
    • Knowledge of obligation to inform patients in the event of suspected unauthorized access to their records.
    • Knowledge of required information to disclose to patients in the event of suspected unauthorized access to their records.
    • Respond to requests for records in accordance with legal requirements.
    • Knowledge of legal criteria which prohibit dentists from sharing records.
    • Knowledge of criteria which require dentists to share records.
    • Knowledge of laws that define timelines to comply with records requests.
    • Knowledge of methods for sharing dental records.
  • 1. Law - 1B. Dental Practice Owners (20%)
    • Comply with legal requirements for advertisement of services and professional qualifications.
    • Knowledge of laws related to advertisement of specialization.
    • Knowledge of laws related to the use of patients in advertising.
    • Knowledge of laws related to fees in advertisements.
    • Knowledge of required disclosures in advertisements.
    • Knowledge of laws related to the use of fictitious names.
    • Supervise dental auxiliaries in accordance with regulations.
    • Knowledge of laws and regulations defining the scope of practice for auxiliaries.
    • Knowledge of procedures used to supervise auxiliaries.
    • Comply with OSHA standards regarding management of hazardous and biohazardous materials.
    • Knowledge of laws related to the disposal of hazardous waste.
    • Knowledge of laws related to the disposal of bio-hazardous waste.
    • Knowledge of laws and regulations related to disinfection and sanitation in the dental setting.
    • Knowledge of methods for disposing of amalgam.
    • Comply with laws requiring posted documentation in dental settings.
    • Knowledge of laws defining the documents that must be posted in a dental setting.
    • Prepare for medical emergencies in accordance with the law.
    • Knowledge of laws establishing the requirements for a dental patient emergency kit.
    • Knowledge of OSHA requirements for employee emergency kits.
    • Knowledge of training requirements to prepare for medical emergencies.
    • Record and report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation in accordance with mandated reporting laws.
    • Knowledge of laws and regulations related to mandated reporting of suspected abuse.
    • Knowledge of methods for recording evidence of abuse.
    • Comply with legal requirements regarding sexual harassment.
    • Knowledge of laws related to allegations of sexual harassment.
  • 1. Law - 1C. Patient Care (15%)
    • Comply with legal requirements regarding scope of practice in the provision of services.
    • Knowledge of laws and regulations that define dentist scope of practice.
    • Knowledge of procedures general dentists can perform that require additional certification.
    • Comply with legal requirements involving protected classes (e.g., race, gender) when providing dental care.
    • Knowledge of laws establishing protected classes and their application to accepting new patients and ending patient-dentist relationships.
    • Knowledge of laws requiring accommodation (e.g., sign language interpreter) for protected classes.
    • Comply with legal requirements when estimating fees and billing patients for dental treatments.
    • Knowledge of laws that require an estimate of fees prior to dental treatment.
    • Knowledge of laws that limit the fee based on the initial estimate.
    • Knowledge of laws related to fees for dental treatment.
    • Comply with legal standards regarding guidelines for consent to treat patients.
    • Knowledge of legal criteria that allow a minor to give consent for dental treatment.
    • Knowledge of legal criteria to acquire consent for the treatment of patients with cognitive impairment.
    • Knowledge of laws and regulations regarding consent to treat patients.
    • Comply with telehealth laws and regulations when providing dental treatment or consultations remotely.
    • Knowledge of criteria for accepting new patient using telehealth.
    • Knowledge of laws related to acquiring consent for telehealth consultation and treatment.
    • Knowledge of laws and regulations establishing security requirements for telehealth dental treatment and consultations.
    • Prescribe medications to patients in accordance with laws and regulations.
    • Knowledge of laws for using Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES).
    • Knowledge of laws regarding the prescription of opioids to minors.
    • Knowledge of laws that limit prescriptions to conditions within the dentist's scope of practice.
  • 2. Ethics - 2A. Patient Education (16%)
    • Confirm understanding of risks, benefits, and alternatives to treatment by all interested parties.
    • Knowledge of methods for communicating with patients with barriers to understanding their treatment plan.
    • Inform patients of current oral conditions.
    • Knowledge of ethical guidelines that apply to the presentation of treatment options.
    • Knowledge of ethical obligation to notify patients of iatrogenic changes in their oral health.
    • Inform patients of oral health conditions that require future dental care.
    • Knowledge of obligation to share associated risk of non-treatment.
    • Knowledge of obligation to educate patients on dental conditions and their associated risks.
    • Knowledge of methods to educate patients concerning common misconceptions regarding dental materials and treatments.
    • Knowledge of obligation to manage patient expectations regarding the outcome of dental treatments.
    • Provide information about alternative treatments.
    • Knowledge of obligation to educate patient about alternative treatments.
    • Knowledge of methods to involve the patient in treatment planning when multiple parties are involved in the decision-making process.
    • Comply with telehealth ethical guidelines when providing dental treatment or consultations.
    • Knowledge of criteria to determine when telehealth is clinically appropriate.
    • Knowledge of methods for providing telehealth treatment and consultations.
    • Knowledge of ethical requirements related to date of treatment when billing insurance.
  • 2. Ethics - 2B. Continuity of Care (12%)
    • Manage communications between dentist, patient, and previous dentist in accordance with ethical standards.
    • Knowledge of ethical concerns when discussing the treatment from another dentist with patients.
    • Follow ethical principles related to managing referred patients.
    • Knowledge of ethical guidelines that promote continuity of care for referred patients.
    • Knowledge of ethical guidelines that prioritize patient autonomy for referred patients.
    • Knowledge of ethical guidelines related to accepting gifts or compensation for referrals.
    • Maintain continuity of care for dental patients.
    • Knowledge of protocol for discontinuing a dentist-patient relationship.
    • Knowledge of methods for promoting continuity of care when there is an interruption in the dentist's ability to provide care.
    • Knowledge of ethical guidelines regarding patient records when accepting a new patient.
    • Knowledge of ethical guidelines relating to continuity of care when a dental provider relocates.
  • 2. Ethics - 2C. Emergency Treatment (4%)
    • Provide patients access to emergency treatment.
    • Knowledge of ethical obligations in the event of a dental emergency during business hours.
    • Knowledge of methods for providing access to emergency treatment outside of business hours.
  • 2. Ethics - 2D. Community Welfare (18%)
    • Refer patients to another professional when patient welfare will be safeguarded or advanced.
    • Knowledge of obligation to refer when patient needs exceed dentist level of competence.
    • Knowledge of medical conditions that necessitate additional medical information or referral.
    • Knowledge of obligation to establish network of professional support.
    • Knowledge of ethical guidelines related to offering gifts or compensation for referrals.
    • Acknowledge and address dentist impairment that could endanger patients or dental staff.
    • Knowledge of the ethical obligation to seek physician advice when dentist ability to practice has been impaired.
    • Knowledge of obligation to modify activities of practice based on dentist impairment to ensure patient and staff safety.
    • Knowledge of conditions that require dentist enrollment in a diversion program.
    • Inform dental community of observations of serious adverse reactions to drugs or dental materials and devices.
    • Knowledge of requirements to inform community when serious adverse reactions are observed.
    • Comply with ethical guidelines when billing insurance for services.
    • Knowledge of ethical requirements related to accuracy of information when billing insurance.
    • Promote a respectful workplace to encourage collaboration with and optimal outcomes for patients.
    • Report other professionals to enforcement agencies to protect patient health.
    • Knowledge of situations that require dentists to report professionals to enforcement agencies.
    • Comply with requirements associated with possible patient exposure to bloodborne pathogens or other infectious material.
    • Knowledge of ethical guidelines regarding possible exposure of patients to bloodborne pathogens or other infectious materials.
    • Knowledge of conditions in which a dentist must disclose their test results and medical history with patients who were possibly exposed to bloodborne pathogens.
    • Treat patients at or above the standard of care for diagnosed conditions.
    • Knowledge of criteria used to evaluate new or experimental treatment.
    • Knowledge of ethical guidelines that define overtreatment.
    • Knowledge of ethical guidelines that define unnecessary treatment.
    • Knowledge of criteria for evaluation of patient reactions.
Examination sources

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