Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Law and Ethics Practice Exam

What must RDAs do when faced with potentially unethical practices?

1. Discuss their concerns with peers only

2. Document violations and report them

3. Stay silent to prevent workplace conflicts

4. Address only minor infractions themselves

The correct answer is: Document violations and report them

When faced with potentially unethical practices, Registered Dental Assistants (RDAs) have a responsibility to document violations and report them. This approach is essential because it ensures that ethical standards are upheld within the dental practice. RDAs play a crucial role in maintaining patient safety, trust, and the integrity of the profession. By documenting any unethical behavior, RDAs create a record that can be vital for investigations or follow-up actions. Reporting these concerns allows for appropriate measures to be taken to address the issue, whether that involves management intervention, additional training, or other necessary actions to correct the unethical practice. Engaging only with peers or remaining silent, as suggested by the other options, could enable unethical behavior to persist, endangering patients and potentially putting the RDA at risk of professional repercussions. Only addressing minor infractions on their own may undermine the seriousness of the issues and fail to prevent more significant problems in the future. Thus, the expectation is clear: RDAs are obligated to act when they observe unethical practices, ensuring that standards of practice are maintained and that patient welfare is prioritized.