Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Law and Ethics Practice Exam

What duties can a DDS delegate to an auxiliary before meeting the patient?

1. Performing diagnostic evaluations

2. Taking x-rays and conducting mouth-mirror inspections

3. Providing treatment recommendations

4. Designing treatment plans

The correct answer is: Taking x-rays and conducting mouth-mirror inspections

The delegation of duties by a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) to an auxiliary before meeting the patient primarily involves tasks that do not require the dentist’s direct clinical involvement or judgment. Among the options presented, taking x-rays and conducting mouth-mirror inspections are duties that are generally permissible for a Registered Dental Assistant, assuming they are properly certified and trained. These tasks are foundational in the dental examination process and can be conducted to gather initial diagnostic information without the need for the dentist's immediate presence. On the other hand, performing diagnostic evaluations, providing treatment recommendations, and designing treatment plans necessitate the critical thinking and professional judgment that only a licensed dentist can provide. These duties typically require the dentist to assess the patient’s specific clinical conditions and make informed decisions based on a comprehensive evaluation, which can only occur after the dentist has personally examined the patient. Therefore, delegation of these responsibilities would not be appropriate prior to an initial patient meeting.