Explanation should include

• the definition of confidentiality
• the reasons that patient confidentiality is important in the practice of dentistry
• the possible consequences of not maintaining patient confidentiality
• a summary of the provisions found in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Civil Rights HIPAA Standards (e.g., privacy rule, security rule, breach notification rule)
• Virginia Code §32.1-127.1:03. 

Process/Skill Questions:

• Why is confidentiality important in dentist-patient relationships?
• What could be the consequences of not maintaining patient confidentiality?
• When does patient confidentiality move from an ethical issue to a legal issue?
• When was HIPAA enacted? Why was it enacted?
• What types of health information are protected under HIPAA?
• Who is responsible for the enforcement of HIPAA?
• How does health information technology (HIT) affect HIPAA?
• What does PHI stand for, and how does it relate to confidentiality?