Professional conduct, ethics, and unprofessional conduct
The conduct domain asks whether a hygienist's behavior meets Connecticut's legal and ethical standards. Unprofessional conduct is broader than malpractice or criminal conviction. It includes dishonesty, scope violations, impaired practice, boundary violations, record falsification, and aiding unlicensed practice. The exam tests recognition and the duty to respond.
Core conduct rules
- Practice within scope and with the required supervision; do not aid unlicensed or unauthorized practice.
- Be honest in billing, advertising, charting, and representations of credentials.
- Protect patient confidentiality and avoid exploitative relationships.
- Do not practice while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a health condition that affects judgment or safety.
- Report suspected child abuse and neglect; cooperate with DPH investigations.
- Avoid false, deceptive, or misleading advertising and improper fee arrangements.
Worked example
A hygienist learns that a coworker has been performing scaling and root planing after her license expired. The coworker says the renewal is "just paperwork." The correct response is not to ignore it because she is a friend. The hygienist should decline to assist, notify the appropriate supervisor or compliance authority, and avoid participating in unlicensed practice. Assisting or covering for the coworker can itself become a conduct violation.
Traps that cost marks
- Treating a personal ethical view as the legal standard; Connecticut's statutes and regulations control.
- Assuming unprofessional conduct requires actual patient harm. Risk-creating conduct can be enough.
- Posting patient images or case details without valid authorization.
- Signing a dentist's name or altering a record to make an office workflow easier.
- Failing to act when a colleague is impaired or practicing beyond scope.
Exam focus
Look for the legal duty triggered by the facts: honesty, scope, confidentiality, impairment, reporting, or supervision. The strongest answer usually protects patients first, then documents and reports through the proper channel.