Ethics & Jurisprudence for New York Dentist

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the statutory and regulatory framework governing dental practice in New York, including the roles of the Board of Regents, the State Education Department, the Office of the Professions, and the State Board for Dentistry.

2. Apply New York's licensure, registration, and continuing education requirements, including the distinction between live and self-study coursework and the obligations specific to dentists licensed by endorsement.

3. Differentiate the lawful scope of practice and the levels of supervision that govern dentists, dental hygienists, and registered dental assistants.

4. Analyze professional conduct against the standards of Part 29, including recordkeeping and retention requirements, patient access to records, and the disciplinary process.

5. Evaluate clinical and business decisions using the five core principles of dental ethics and applicable NYSDA professional duties related to informed consent, quality of care, fees, advertising, confidentiality, referral, and professional representation.

Every dentist practicing in New York must understand the legal and ethical standards governing professional practice. This course examines Education Law Articles 130 and 133, 8 N.Y.C.R.R. Parts 29 and 61, and applicable professional ethical principles. Major topics include licensure and registration, continuing education, scope of practice, delegation and supervision, professional misconduct, recordkeeping, patient access to records, informed consent, advertising, disciplinary procedures, and ethical decision-making. The course prepares dentists to identify controlling authorities, recognize common compliance risks, and make lawful and ethically supportable decisions in daily practice.

Dental education primarily emphasizes clinical competence, while New York-specific legal and ethical responsibilities may receive less sustained attention. This course addresses knowledge and practice gaps that can lead dentists to rely on outdated information, office customs, secondhand summaries, or requirements carried over from other jurisdictions. Strengthening knowledge of New York law and professional ethics can reduce compliance errors involving delegation, documentation, advertising, records, registration, continuing education, and patient care.