RDA Law and Ethics Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Prep Guide

The consequences for violating patient confidentiality can be quite severe, reflecting the importance of maintaining trust in the healthcare environment. Breaching patient confidentiality can lead to disciplinary action from the dental board or governing body, which may include suspension or revocation of a professional license. This is because the integrity of patient information is paramount in dental and healthcare practices, and failure to protect such information undermines the professional standard expected of RDAs.

Moreover, potential legal action can arise from patients whose rights to privacy have been compromised. Patients have the right to sue for damages if their confidential information is disclosed without consent, which can lead to significant financial penalties for the dental professional involved.

While some may consider other options like verbal warnings or additional training, these do not adequately reflect the seriousness of confidentiality violations, particularly when it comes to the legal and ethical responsibility to protect patient information. The option stating that confidentiality is not enforceable is fundamentally incorrect, as confidentiality is enforced by various laws, including HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). Thus, the most comprehensive and accurate consequence for such violations includes disciplinary actions, loss of licensure, and the possibility of legal repercussions.