Professional Ethics, Unprofessional Conduct, and Mandatory Reporting
The statutory list
"Unprofessional conduct" is defined broadly in the Dental Practice Act and includes practicing beyond scope, gross negligence or incompetence, fraud in obtaining a license, false or misleading advertising, fee-splitting, abandoning patients, sexual contact with patients, practicing while impaired, failing to maintain adequate records, violating infection-control rules, and failing to report as required. Note that the list is illustrative, not exhaustive - the test is whether the conduct falls within a statutory category, and the Board decides.
Ethical spine
Patient autonomy (including informed refusal), veracity, confidentiality, boundary maintenance, and management of conflicts of interest. Financial arrangements that reward referrals, treating beyond competence without referral, and dual relationships are the recurring exam themes.
Mandatory reporting
Licensees must report to the Board when they reasonably believe another licensee has violated the practice act or is practicing while impaired. Reports of suspected maltreatment of children or vulnerable adults go to the appropriate agency. Good-faith reports carry immunity; failing to report is itself misconduct. The Health Professionals Services Program offers confidential monitoring for impairment, but participation does not license unsafe practice in the interim.
Traps
Believing a report requires proof or certainty - the standard is reasonable belief; believing an impaired colleague can be handled "in house"; assuming only dentists have reporting duties; assuming a report to an employer satisfies the duty to report to the Board.
Worked example: A hygienist observes a dentist arrive impaired. She must report promptly to the Board; arranging coverage for the day is prudent but does not discharge the obligation.