MS Dental Jurisprudence flashcards

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

Board authority source

The Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners derives its power from the Dental Practice Act and adopts rules consistent with statute; conflicting rules are invalid.

Unlicensed practice

Practicing without a current license, after expiration, or while on inactive status is a disciplinary violation even if the clinical care was competent.

License renewal requirement

Renewal requires the fee plus attestation of completed continuing education, including mandated subject hours; failure to renew renders practice unlicensed.

CE record retention

Licensees must retain continuing education certificates for the period set by rule and produce them on Board audit; falsified attestations are independently disciplinable.

Licensure by credentials

Requires verification of an active license elsewhere, passing examination results, accredited education, and no pending disciplinary action in any jurisdiction.

Direct supervision

The dentist is physically present in the office, available, and has authorized the delegated procedure before it is performed by hygienist or assistant.

General supervision

The dentist has authorized the service but need not be physically present on site; used for select hygiene services under rule conditions.

Nondelegable duties

Diagnosis, treatment planning, prescription writing, and final radiograph interpretation remain the dentist's responsibility and cannot be delegated to ancillary staff.

Informed consent elements

Disclosure of diagnosis, nature and purpose of treatment, material risks, alternatives including no treatment, and prognosis, documented before care begins.

Record alteration rule

Corrections must be made by dated addendum stating the reason; obliterating or backdating entries supports fraud and spoliation inferences.

Standard of care proof

Established by expert testimony showing what a reasonably prudent dentist would do in similar circumstances, plus proof of breach and causation.

Sterilization monitoring

Autoclave cycles require biological spore and chemical indicator monitoring, with results logged and retained as required by rule.

Exposure control plan

A written OSHA-compliant plan covering hepatitis B vaccination offer, post-exposure protocol, sharps handling, and annual staff training records.

Single-use device rule

Items labeled single-use, including needles and certain burs, may not be reprocessed or reused on another patient.

PMP query duty

Dentists must register with and query the Mississippi Prescription Monitoring Program before prescribing controlled substances as required by state rule.

Schedule II limits

Schedule II prescriptions generally require written or electronic form with no refills; DEA registration plus state licensure is required to prescribe.

Prescribing to family

Prescribing controlled substances to self or family without examination and documented diagnosis is prohibited except in limited documented emergencies.

Misleading advertising

Advertising must be truthful and not misleading; guarantees, superiority claims, or unearned specialty designation violate professional conduct rules.

Patient abandonment

Discontinuing care without notice, a reasonable opportunity to obtain replacement care, and transfer of records when requested.

Fee splitting

Paying or receiving compensation for patient referrals, or splitting fees except in permitted employment or partnership arrangements, violates ethics rules.

Disciplinary grounds

Include fraud in licensure, unprofessional conduct, gross negligence, impairment, rule violations, and convictions affecting fitness to practice.

Hearing due process

Requires notice of charges, a hearing, the right to present evidence and cross-examine, and a written decision under the Administrative Procedures Act.

Summary suspension

The Board may suspend a license before a full hearing when continued practice poses an imminent danger to the public, followed by a hearing.

Consent order effect

A negotiated, public, binding order resolving charges; violating its terms leads to further discipline, including suspension or revocation.

Child abuse reporting

Dentists must promptly report suspected child abuse or neglect to the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services; good-faith reports confer immunity.

Impaired colleague reporting

Licensees must report impaired practitioners to the Board or a recognized diversion program; the Board may order monitored rehabilitation.

Failure to report

Not reporting mandated abuse is both a criminal offense and an independent disciplinary violation, and retaliation against reporters is prohibited.

Sedation permit tiers

Minimal, moderate, and deep sedation or general anesthesia each require specific training, equipment, monitoring, and a Board-issued permit.

Sedation monitoring

Moderate and deep sedation require pulse oximetry, capnography where indicated, rescue capability, and a documented preoperative assessment.

Teledentistry standard

Remote services must meet the same standard of care, consent, and documentation requirements as in-person care under the Act.

Specialty representation

A dentist may not hold out as a specialist without certification by an ADA-recognized specialty board and the corresponding licensure.

Ancillary radiograph authority

Personnel exposing radiographs must hold required certification and act under the supervising dentist's authority and prescribed protocol.