Which term describes intentionally lying or making false statements to gain something?

• A. Misdemeanor
• B. Duty
• C. Negligence
• D. Fraud

Answer: (D)

Intentional deception for personal gain is fraud. It means deliberately lying or making false statements with the purpose of misleading someone to obtain money, services, or another benefit. In dental practice, fraud can show up as filing fake insurance claims, altering records to get paid for procedures not performed, or misrepresenting the necessity of treatment to patients or payers. The key element is the intent to deceive for gain—if a false statement happens by mistake or without the intent to benefit at someone else’s expense, it isn’t fraud. The other terms describe different concepts: a misdemeanor is a category of crime, a duty is an obligation, and negligence is a failure to exercise reasonable care.