If a dentist has dental malpractice insurance, what are they protected against?

The correct choice relates to liability for negligence, which is a fundamental aspect of dental malpractice insurance. This type of insurance is designed specifically to protect dentists from claims arising out of alleged failures to meet the standard of care expected in their practice. If a patient believes that they have suffered harm due to the dentist's negligence—such as improper treatment, failure to diagnose, or complications resulting from a procedure—malpractice insurance helps cover legal defense costs, settlements, or judgments that may arise from these claims.

While financial losses can result from the consequences of a malpractice claim, the insurance primarily focuses on covering liability related to professional negligence. Protection against loss of a professional license can vary depending on the specific circumstances involved and may not be covered by malpractice insurance. Similarly, criminal charges might arise from misconduct, but these are generally outside the scope of what malpractice insurance addresses, as it is primarily concerned with civil liability rather than criminal matters.