Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Law and Ethics Practice Exam

When a DDS is exposed to a BBP, what is an ethical obligation?

1. To keep the information confidential

2. To inform any affected patient or staff member

3. To avoid any evaluation

4. To refer only family members

The correct answer is: To inform any affected patient or staff member

When a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) is exposed to a bloodborne pathogen (BBP), informing any affected patient or staff member is a critical ethical obligation. This is rooted in the principles of transparency, patient safety, and professional responsibility. Patients and staff members have the right to be informed about potential exposures that could affect their health. By communicating openly about the exposure, the DDS facilitates informed decision-making regarding any necessary medical evaluations, treatments, or precautions that may need to be taken. Moreover, informing affected individuals allows them to understand their own potential risks and seek appropriate care or monitoring. Confidentiality, while important, should not overshadow the need for transparency in situations that may directly impact the health and safety of others. The ethical principle of beneficence supports the obligation to act in the best interest of patients and colleagues, which in this case includes providing them with crucial information related to possible exposure to infectious agents.