California Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) Law and Ethics Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

"Gross negligence" in dental practice refers to an extreme lack of care that demonstrates a reckless disregard for patient safety. This level of negligence goes beyond ordinary mistakes or minor oversights and indicates a serious breach of the expected standards of care that a dental professional must maintain. For example, failing to recognize and respond to a life-threatening condition during a dental procedure could be considered gross negligence, as it directly endangers the patient's health.

Understanding the concept of gross negligence is crucial for dental professionals because it can lead to severe legal and professional repercussions, including loss of licensure and liability for damages. It signifies a high degree of culpability, distinct from mere negligence which might involve unintentional mistakes or minor lapses in judgment.

This definition helps establish the threshold for legal cases in which a dental practitioner may be held liable. Cases of gross negligence typically involve situations where the actions taken or omitted are so egregious that they reflect a fundamental failure to adhere to the essential standards of safety expected in dental practice.