AL Dental Jurisprudence flashcards
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33 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Alabama Dental Practice Act citation
- The Act is codified in Title 34, Chapter 9 of the Code of Alabama, with implementing rules in Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 270-X.
- Practice of dentistry definition
- Statutory term covering diagnosis, treatment planning, and operative procedures on human teeth and associated structures; performing it without a license is a violation.
- Board rulemaking authority
- The Board adopts administrative rules under the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act, which requires published notice and an opportunity for public comment before adoption.
- Board investigative powers
- The Board may inspect facilities and records, issue subpoenas for documents and witnesses, and compel testimony when investigating complaints against licensees.
- Licensure by credentials
- A pathway allowing a dentist or hygienist licensed elsewhere to obtain an Alabama license based on verified licensure, examination history, and clean disciplinary record.
- Late renewal penalty
- A license renewed after the Board's renewal date requires payment of a penalty fee; practicing while expired constitutes unlicensed practice subject to discipline.
- Continuing education retention
- Licensees must keep certificates of completion for Board audit; credit is accepted only from approved providers and subject-area mandates set by rule.
- Inactive license status
- A non-practicing status available on application; reactivation typically requires a fee, current continuing education, and sometimes reexamination or refresher training.
- Dental hygienist core duties
- Prophylaxis, scaling and root planing, periodontal assessment, fluoride and sealant application, radiographs, and patient education, each subject to a specified supervision level.
- Dentist-only procedures
- Diagnosis, surgical and extraction procedures, cutting of hard or soft tissue, permanent restorative and endodontic treatment, and prescribing are reserved to licensed dentists.
- Expanded-function dental assistant
- A certified assistant who has completed Board-approved additional training authorizing specified reversible procedures beyond standard chairside assisting duties.
- Direct supervision meaning
- The dentist is physically present in the office, has examined the patient, and has authorized the delegated procedure before the auxiliary performs it.
- General supervision meaning
- The dentist authorizes treatment but need not be on the premises or have examined the patient for that specific visit; used for defined preventive services.
- Delegation limits
- A dentist may delegate only tasks the auxiliary's license or certification permits, at the supervision level the rule assigns; the delegating dentist remains responsible.
- Unlawful delegation consequence
- Delegating or accepting a task outside the authorized scope or supervision level is unprofessional conduct subject to discipline for both the dentist and the auxiliary.
- Standard precautions
- Infection control applied to every patient regardless of diagnosis, including hand hygiene, gloves, masks, eye protection, and gowns for splash-generating procedures.
- Biological spore monitoring
- Sterilizer testing with biological indicators at the rule-specified interval, with results documented; failed tests require load quarantine and retesting.
- Critical instrument handling
- Instruments that penetrate tissue or contact bone or blood must be cleaned and then sterilized before reuse; single-use items are never reprocessed.
- Dental unit waterline care
- Waterlines must be treated and monitored per manufacturer instructions to control biofilm, with testing results documented in office records for inspection.
- Record content requirements
- Each patient record must show history, examination findings, diagnosis, treatment rendered, dates, materials, and the identity of the treating provider.
- Record retention rule
- Records must be kept for the period set by Board rule after the last treatment or after a minor reaches majority, and produced on Board request.
- Informed consent elements
- Disclosure of diagnosis, proposed treatment, material risks and benefits, alternatives including no treatment, and opportunity for questions, documented in the record.
- Confidentiality exceptions
- Patient information may be released with authorization, as required by law such as abuse reporting or court order, or for treatment and payment purposes.
- Disciplinary grounds
- Fraud in licensure, unlicensed practice, practicing beyond scope, negligence, impairment, moral turpitude convictions, and rule violations are grounds for Board action.
- Board hearing process
- Complaint, investigation, notice of charges, contested hearing with right to counsel, findings and order, followed by available judicial review.
- Available sanctions
- Reprimand, probation with conditions, suspension, revocation, civil penalties, and required remediation or continuing education imposed by Board order.
- Failure to cooperate
- Refusing to respond to Board inquiries or comply with a Board order is an independent disciplinary ground and may itself support suspension.
- Controlled substance registration
- A dentist needs an Alabama controlled substances registration in addition to DEA registration to prescribe controlled drugs for dental treatment.
- Schedule II prescribing limits
- Schedule II prescriptions may not be refilled and are subject to strict quantity and recordkeeping limits; receipt and dispensing must be reconciled.
- Sedation permit tiers
- Minimal/nitrous, moderate sedation, and deep sedation/general anesthesia are separate permit levels, each requiring specific training, equipment, and monitoring.
- Sedation monitoring requirements
- Continuous pulse oximetry and blood pressure monitoring, emergency drugs and equipment on site, and documented recovery and discharge criteria are required.
- Truthful advertising rule
- Advertising must not be false or misleading; specialty designation requires recognized certification, and guarantees of results are prohibited as unprofessional conduct.
- Fee-splitting prohibition
- A dentist may not split fees with a non-dentist or pay for patient referrals in arrangements that violate the Act's fee-splitting provisions.