Ace the California RDH Law & Ethics Exam 2025 – Smile Bright and Rule Right!

The correct answer emphasizes the importance of patient privacy and the legal and ethical standards governing the sharing of patient information. Dental hygienists may share information obtained from patient records only when it is legally required or when the patient has given consent.

This means that patient confidentiality must be respected at all times unless there are specific legal obligations to disclose information, such as in instances of mandated reporting or other regulations that require such disclosure. Additionally, obtaining patient consent before sharing information ensures that the patient is aware and agreeable to their information being shared, thus maintaining trust in the patient-hygienist relationship.

The principle underlying this practice aligns with both state and federal laws, such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), which mandates that healthcare providers—including dental hygienists—protect patient privacy and only share information as permitted by law or consent.

Understanding this regulatory framework is crucial for dental hygienists in their day-to-day practice and reinforces the fundamental ethical standards of the profession.