True or False: Dentists in Kentucky must report all patient deaths, regardless of cause, to the board.

In Kentucky, dentists have specific obligations concerning patient deaths, particularly if those deaths occur in connection with the provision of dental care. However, the requirement to report is not as broad as stating that all patient deaths must be reported regardless of cause.

The correct answer indicates that reporting is necessary only if sedation was involved. This aligns with the Kentucky dental regulations, which necessitate notification to the board in cases where sedation is part of the dental care that may have contributed to a patient’s death. The rationale behind this regulation is to ensure patient safety and to facilitate investigations into practices that could affect public health and welfare.

Other scenarios, such as reporting all deaths or those involving anticipated legal action, do not encompass the specific requirements of the state’s regulations. Therefore, understanding the context surrounding dental practice in Kentucky reveals that reporting is triggered by certain circumstances, such as the involvement of sedation in the patient's care.