CT Dental Jurisprudence flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Connecticut Dental Practice Act citation

The Act is codified in Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 379, sections 20-101 through 20-126l, with implementing regulations in Title 20 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

Definition of dentistry

Under the Act, dentistry means the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions of the oral cavity and associated structures, including repair or replacement of natural teeth and fitting of prosthetic devices.

Connecticut State Dental Commission

A body within the Department of Public Health that advises on dental regulation, reviews licensure applications, and conducts disciplinary hearings, while the DPH commissioner holds ultimate licensing authority.

Dentist licensure requirements

A dentist license requires a DDS or DMD from a CODA-accredited program, passage of the National Board Dental Examination, and an accepted clinical or regional examination, plus application and fee.

Hygienist licensure requirements

A dental hygiene license requires graduation from an accredited dental hygiene program, passage of the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, and an accepted clinical examination, along with a DPH application and fee.

Licensure by endorsement

A process allowing a licensee from another state to obtain a Connecticut license when that state's requirements are substantially equivalent and the applicant satisfies Connecticut's criteria and documentation requirements.

Expanded-function dental assistant

A dental assistant authorized to perform specified expanded functions only after holding current DANB certification and completing the training that DPH regulations require for those functions.

Direct supervision

A supervision level in which the dentist is physically present in the office, has examined the patient, and remains available during the procedure, with examination before and after as required.

General supervision

A supervision level in which the dentist has authorized the procedure but is not physically present, permitted only for services the Act and regulations allow at that level.

Nondelegable dental functions

Diagnosis, prescription, surgical procedures, and final treatment decisions may be performed only by a licensed dentist and cannot be delegated to hygienists or assistants.

Standard precautions

An infection control approach requiring all blood and body fluids to be treated as potentially infectious regardless of a patient's known diagnosis, applied to every patient encounter.

Sterilization biological monitoring

Spore testing of sterilizers at the frequency required, with results documented and retained so they are available for inspection by DPH or OSHA.

Personal protective equipment

Gloves, masks, eye protection, and gowns that must be worn when exposure to blood or other body fluids is anticipated during dental treatment.

Dental record contents

A complete record includes patient history, examination findings, diagnosis, treatment plan, progress notes, radiographs, and documentation of informed consent for treatment.

Informed consent elements

Disclosure of the diagnosis, proposed treatment, material risks and benefits, alternatives including no treatment, and the patient's opportunity to ask questions before consenting.

HIPAA and state law interplay

HIPAA permits disclosure for treatment, payment, and health care operations, but where Connecticut law is stricter or more protective, the stricter standard controls.

Record access and copying fees

Patients have the right to access and obtain copies of their dental records, and a dentist may charge a fee only within limits set by statute or regulation.

Unprofessional conduct examples

Patient abandonment without reasonable notice, failure to maintain adequate records, practicing while impaired, and misrepresenting credentials are examples of unprofessional conduct under the Act.

Fee splitting prohibition

Dividing a professional fee with a non-licensee or with another provider who did not render the service is prohibited except where law permits and is a ground for discipline.

Reciprocal discipline

Discipline imposed in another jurisdiction must be reported to DPH, and Connecticut may impose its own discipline based on the out-of-state action.

Controlled substance registration

A dentist must hold a Connecticut controlled substance registration from the Department of Consumer Protection, in addition to the dental license, to prescribe controlled substances.

Prescription monitoring program duty

Dentists must register with the state prescription monitoring program and review it before prescribing certain controlled substances, particularly opioids, as required by statute.

Legitimate dentist-patient relationship

A prescription may be issued only within dental scope and after an examination establishing a dentist-patient relationship; self-prescribing or prescribing without one is prohibited.

Opioid acute pain limits

Connecticut limits initial opioid prescriptions for acute pain to a defined short supply, with exceptions that must be documented in the patient record.

Truthful dental advertising

Advertising must be truthful and not misleading, and claims about specialty status, credentials, or treatment superiority must be accurate and verifiable.

Kickback prohibition

Paying or receiving compensation for patient referrals is prohibited and constitutes unprofessional conduct subject to discipline by the Department of Public Health.

Corporate practice restriction

Ownership and operation of a dental practice must comply with Connecticut restrictions on the corporate practice of dentistry and with professional entity formation requirements.

Child abuse reporting duty

Dentists and dental hygienists are mandated reporters who must report suspected child abuse or neglect to the Department of Children and Families as required by statute.

Elder abuse reporting duty

Suspected abuse or neglect of an elderly or disabled person must be reported to the appropriate protective services agency under Connecticut mandatory reporting law.

Impaired practitioner obligation

A licensee impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a condition affecting practice must refrain from practicing and may seek participation in a monitored rehabilitation program with defined confidentiality protections.

DPH complaint investigation

Complaints alleging violations of the Dental Practice Act are filed with the Department of Public Health, which investigates and may refer matters to the Connecticut State Dental Commission.

Disciplinary hearing rights

A licensee is entitled to notice of charges and an opportunity for a hearing under the Uniform Administrative Procedure Act, with final action by the DPH commissioner and appeal to Superior Court.