Which concept describes invasion of privacy by sharing confidential information?

• A. Defamation
• B. Libel
• C. Assault
• D. Breach of confidentiality

Answer: (D)

Breach of confidentiality is the invasion of privacy that happens when a patient’s confidential information is shared without proper consent. In dentistry, this means disclosing details from your notes, treatment plans, or health history to someone not authorized to receive them, or doing so beyond what is necessary for care or mandated reporting. The ethical and legal obligation is to protect patient information, using the minimum amount of data needed and only sharing it when there is a legitimate purpose or a patient’s explicit consent. Breaches can seriously harm patients—causing embarrassment, discrimination, or other harm if sensitive information becomes public or misused.

Defamation involves making false statements that damage a person’s reputation, defamation is the untrue publication that harms character; libel is a form of defamation that is written. Assault refers to causing or threatening physical harm or unwanted touching. None of these describe sharing confidential information, which is why breach of confidentiality is the correct concept in this context.