Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice (RDHAP) Law and Ethics Practice Exam

Which privilege does NOT apply when reporting suspected child abuse in court?

1. Physician-patient privilege

2. Parent-child privilege

3. Confidentiality in therapy

4. Clergy-penitent privilege

The correct answer is: Physician-patient privilege

The privilege that does not apply when reporting suspected child abuse in court is the physician-patient privilege. This privilege traditionally protects the confidentiality of communications between a patient and their physician regarding medical care. However, in cases of child abuse, healthcare providers are mandated reporters, meaning they are legally obligated to report any suspected abuse to law enforcement or child protective services. This requirement overrides the physician-patient privilege to ensure the safety of the child. In contrast, the other privileges mentioned—parent-child privilege, confidentiality in therapy, and clergy-penitent privilege—are typically designed to protect the confidentiality of communications within those specific relationships. However, in the context of suspected child abuse, these privileges may also be challenged or overridden to protect the welfare of the child. Therefore, while certain privileges exist to uphold confidentiality in those relationships, the physician-patient privilege does not hold in cases where child abuse is suspected due to the critical nature of child protection laws.