In most states the dental hygienist is not required to have malpractice insurance, because the dental hygienist will be covered under the dentist’s insurance.
A. Both the statement and the reason are CORRECT and related
B. Both the statement and the reason are correct but NOT related
C. The statement is correct, but the reason is NOT
D. The statement is NOT correct, but the reason is correct
E. NEITHER the statement NOR the reason is correct
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: C. The statement is correct, but the reason is NOT.
Explanation:
In many states, dental hygienists are not legally required to carry their own malpractice insurance. This makes the statement correct — there is often no mandatory requirement for dental hygienists to independently maintain professional liability (malpractice) insurance, especially when they are employed by a dentist or dental practice.
However, the reason given — “because the dental hygienist will be covered under the dentist’s insurance” — is NOT entirely accurate, and therefore not a valid justification for the statement.
While it may seem reasonable to assume that the dentist’s malpractice insurance automatically extends to cover the dental hygienist, this is not always true. Whether or not the hygienist is covered depends on the specific terms of the dentist’s insurance policy. Some malpractice policies include coverage for employed staff, but others require each professional (even under the same practice) to carry their own separate coverage. Coverage limits, exclusions, and the roles of each staff member are also factors that may affect whether a hygienist is fully protected.
Moreover, dental hygienists may be held personally liable in the event of a malpractice claim stemming from their individual actions. In such cases, if the dentist’s insurance doesn’t explicitly cover them, they could be financially exposed.
Therefore, while it is not typically a legal requirement for dental hygienists to carry their own malpractice insurance in many states, it is strongly recommended by professional organizations such as the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) for hygienists to maintain personal malpractice coverage. This ensures that they are protected regardless of their employer’s insurance status and provides peace of mind in the event of legal claims.
Summary:
- Statement: Correct (malpractice insurance not required in most states).
- Reason: Not necessarily true (coverage under dentist’s insurance isn’t guaranteed).
- Correct answer: C. The statement is correct, but the reason is NOT.