RDA Law and Ethics Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Prep Guide

Maintaining patient confidentiality and privacy is a foundational principle in dental ethics and healthcare in general. This principle is crucial as it protects the rights of patients to have their personal and medical information kept secure and only shared with authorized individuals. Upholding confidentiality fosters trust between patients and healthcare providers, encouraging open communication, which is vital for effective diagnosis and treatment.

In the realm of healthcare, patients expect that their sensitive information will not be disclosed without their consent, except in specific circumstances defined by law or medical necessity. Therefore, the ethical obligation to maintain confidentiality aligns not only with ethical standards but also with legal regulations, such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) in the United States, which outlines strict guidelines on how patient information should be managed and disclosed.

Publicizing all patient information for education disregards the patient's right to privacy and can lead to severe ethical breaches. Similarly, storing information without any security measures puts patient data at risk of unauthorized access, which is both unethical and potentially illegal. Sharing patient information with anyone who requests it goes against the core ethical duty of confidentiality, potentially compromising patient trust and exposing the healthcare provider to legal repercussions. Hence, the emphasis on maintaining patient confidentiality is not only a best practice in ethical healthcare but also a legal