Which statement is true about confidentiality in dental practice?

• A. Confidentiality applies to all records
• B. Confidentiality applies only to treatment plans
• C. Confidentiality can be shared with friends
• D. Confidentiality is not required for records

Answer: (A)

Confidentiality means keeping every piece of patient information private and sharing it only with people who need to know to provide care or when there is proper consent or a legal requirement. This applies to all records and data about a patient, including clinical notes, treatment plans, radiographs, letters, appointment details, and electronic records. Because confidentiality covers the entire set of information held about a patient, the statement that it applies to all records is the true one. It isn’t correct that confidentiality only applies to treatment plans, or that it can be shared with friends, or that it isn’t required for records. In practice, staff must keep records secure, restrict access to those involved in care, and follow data protection rules to maintain trust and professional standards.