California Dental Jurisprudence - Final Test Review (Qns & Ans) - 2025, Exams of Nursing

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California Dental Jurisprudence

Final Test Review

(Questions & Solutions)

1. (Multiple Choice) In California, which of the following procedures is within a dental hygienist’s scope of practice when performed under the appropriate supervision of a licensed dentist? A. Administering injectable local anesthesia without extra certification B. Performing oral prophylaxis (scaling and polishing) C. Preparing and placing composite restorations D. Fabricating indirect restorations in the dental laboratory ANS: B Rationale: California law permits dental hygienists to perform non‑invasive preventive procedures such as scaling and polishing under dentist supervision. Invasive operative procedures fall within the dentist’s scope or require additional certification.

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2. (Fill-in-the-Blank) In California, non‑clinical duties (e.g., instrument sterilization and data entry) may be delegated to a dental assistant under __________ supervision. ANS: indirect Rationale: “Indirect supervision” means that the overseeing dentist need not be in the operatory at all times but must be available for consultation as required by California regulations.

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3. (True/False) True or False: A dental assistant in California may independently perform operative procedures if they have received on‑the‑job training.

intervention if necessary.

II. Licensure, Continuing Education, and Certification

6. (Multiple Choice) California dentists must complete a minimum number of continuing education (CE) hours per license renewal cycle. Typically, how many hours are required every two years? A. 20 hours B. 30 hours C. 50 hours D. 70 hours ANS: C Rationale: The Dental Board of California mandates that licensed dentists complete 50 CE hours every two years to keep current with emerging clinical practices, technology, and legal updates.

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7. (Fill-in-the-Blank) California law requires that a valid dental license be __________ in the practice area to clearly indicate that the dentist is legally credentialed. ANS: prominently displayed Rationale: Displaying the license prominently assures patients and regulators that the practitioner is in good standing with the Dental Board of California.

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8. (True/False) True or False: In California, both dental hygienists and assistants are

required to periodically complete continuing education to maintain their credentials. ANS: True Rationale: California mandates continuing education for all licensed dental professionals to ensure ongoing competency and compliance with state standards.

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9. (Multiple Response) Select all acceptable methods through which California dental professionals can earn CE credits:

• Accredited online courses
• Live seminars and in‑person workshops
• Attendance at national dental conferences with recorded sessions
• Self‑study without any form of evaluation ANSs: Accredited online courses; Live seminars and in‑person workshops; Attendance at national dental conferences with recorded sessions Rationale: CE credits must be earned through formally accredited or evaluated courses. Self‑study without formal assessment is generally not acceptable.

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10. (Multiple Choice) Which advanced certification is most recognized as demonstrating a dentist’s specialized clinical expertise in California? A. Certificate in Dental Office Leadership B. Board Certification in Endodontics C. Registered Dental Assistant D. Certified Dental Technician

13. (True/False) True or False: In California, dental professionals may disclose information from patient records to family members without patient consent if the family member accompanies the patient during treatment. ANS: False Rationale: Confidentiality rules require that patient information be disclosed only with explicit consent or under narrowly defined exceptions, regardless of a family member’s presence.

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14. (Multiple Response) Which of the following practices are part of proper record‑keeping in a California dental office? (Select all that apply.)

• Maintaining accurate, complete treatment documentation
• Regularly updating patient records as treatment progresses
• Securely storing records using encrypted electronic systems or locked cabinets
• Disposing of records immediately after treatment to protect privacy ANSs: Maintaining accurate records; Regular updates; Secure storage Rationale: Proper records must be comprehensive, updated, and stored securely. Immediate disposal violates legal and regulatory retention requirements in California.

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15. (Multiple Choice) In a dental malpractice case in California, comprehensive patient records can serve as evidence that the dentist met the __________ standard of care. A. cost-effectiveness B. minimal intervention

C. established standard of care D. patient satisfaction threshold ANS: C Rationale: Detailed and accurate records demonstrate that the dentist followed the accepted standard of care, which is critical when defending against malpractice claims.

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IV. Legal Terminology and the Nature of Dental Liability

16. (Multiple Choice) Which legal term describes the failure of a dentist to meet accepted care standards, resulting in patient injury in California? A. Battery B. Malpractice C. Breach of fiduciary duty D. Informed consent violation ANS: B Rationale: Malpractice is defined as the failure to exercise the degree of care expected under accepted professional standards, leading to patient harm. This is the primary basis for dental liability claims.

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17. (Fill-in-the-Blank) When a dentist in California claims that the patient’s own actions contributed to their injury, this defense is known as __________ negligence. ANS: contributory Rationale: Contributory negligence is a legal concept where the patient’s behavior is considered to have partially contributed to the

B. Informed consent form C. Clinical progress notes D. Appointment reminder ANS: B Rationale: An informed consent form attests that the patient was fully informed about the proposed treatment and its associated risks, serving as a key legal safeguard for both parties.

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V. Ethical Principles in Dental Practice

21. (Multiple Choice) Which ethical principle requires dental professionals to “do no harm” during treatment? A. Autonomy B. Beneficence C. Nonmaleficence D. Justice ANS: C Rationale: Nonmaleficence is the ethical mandate to avoid causing harm to patients, a foundational concept in all areas of healthcare.

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22. (Fill-in-the-Blank) Maintaining patient __________ is a fundamental ethical duty that helps build trust and preserve the integrity of the dental professional–patient relationship in California. ANS: confidentiality Rationale: Patient confidentiality is central to ethical practice and is legally protected under HIPAA and state law.

23. (True/False) True or False: It is ethically acceptable for a California dentist to understate the risks of a procedure if doing so increases a patient’s likelihood of consenting to treatment. ANS: False Rationale: Ethical standards require full disclosure of all significant risks to ensure that informed consent is genuinely informed; understating risks is unethical and can lead to legal liability.

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24. (Multiple Response) Select all ethical obligations that should guide dentist–patient interactions in California:

• Providing comprehensive and accurate disclosure of all treatment options
• Clearly communicating all fees and potential costs
• Respecting the patient’s autonomy and right to make an informed decision
• Withholding adverse information to secure treatment acceptance ANSs: Provide full disclosure; Clearly communicate fees; Respect patient autonomy Rationale: Dentists must be transparent, honest, and respectful of patient choices. Withholding information undermines ethical practice and patient trust.

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25. (Multiple Choice) Which ethical principle is primarily concerned with ensuring that all

ANS: 30

Rationale: Dentists in California are generally required to update their records with the Dental Board within 30 days of any change to maintain accurate licensure records.

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28. (True/False) True or False: In California, when reporting communicable diseases, dentists must strictly follow confidentiality protocols and disclose only the information legally required. ANS: True Rationale: Even under mandatory reporting laws, dentists in California must adhere to confidentiality standards, releasing only the minimal information required by law.

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29. (Multiple Response) Select all components that are key elements of California’s regulatory framework for dental practice:

• Mandatory continuing education requirements
• Secure patient record‑keeping and strict confidentiality rules
• Clearly defined scope‑of‑practice guidelines
• Permitting unlimited delegation of clinical tasks without required supervision ANSs: Mandatory continuing education; Secure record‑keeping/confidentiality; Clearly defined scope‑of‑practice guidelines Rationale: California’s regulatory requirements enforce CE, strict record security, and well-defined boundaries for delegation. Unlimited delegation without supervision is never permitted.

30. (Multiple Choice) According to California state regulations, dental advertising must be: A. Visually appealing regardless of accuracy B. Truthful, verifiable, and not misleading C. Prior approved by the Dental Board D. Focused solely on discount pricing and special offers ANS: B Rationale: California law mandates that dental advertising must be truthful and verifiable, with all claims supported by facts. This requirement protects consumers and upholds the integrity of the profession.

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A dental assistant in California performs a coronal polish on a patient without direct supervision. This action is: a) Permitted under the California Dental Practice Act. b) Permissible if the dentist has authorized it in writing. c) A violation of the California Dental Practice Act. d) Dependent on the dental assistant's certification level. ANS: c) A violation of the California Dental Practice Act. Rationale: Coronal polishing is a procedure that, in California, typically requires direct supervision by a licensed dentist or a registered dental hygienist. Performing it without the proper supervision is a breach of the regulations. Which of the following is NOT a requirement for maintaining a dental license in California? a) Completion of Continuing Education (CE) units.

ANS: c) 3 years from the date of the injury. Rationale: The statute of limitations sets a deadline for filing a lawsuit. In California, for medical malpractice (including dental), it's generally 3 years from the date of the injury or 1 year from the date the injury was discovered, whichever occurs first. Which ethical principle is MOST directly violated when a dentist consistently recommends unnecessary procedures for financial gain? a) Autonomy. b) Beneficence. c) Non-maleficence. d) Justice. ANS: c) Non-maleficence. Rationale: Non-maleficence is the principle of "do no harm." Recommending unnecessary procedures directly harms the patient, both physically and financially. Fill-in-the-Blank In California, dental hygienists are allowed to perform certain duties under the direct, general, or indirect supervision of a licensed dentist, depending on the specific procedure. ANS: direct, general, indirect Rationale: California law specifies different levels of supervision for dental hygienists, depending on the procedure's invasiveness and potential risks. The primary purpose of Continuing Education (CE) for dental professionals in California is to ensure that they maintain and enhance their _ and _ in the field. ANS: knowledge, skills Rationale: CE is designed to keep professionals current with the latest advancements, techniques, and best practices.

A legal document that compels a person to appear in court and provide testimony is called a __. ANS: subpoena Rationale: A subpoena is a formal legal order. The legal term that refers to a healthcare provider's failure to provide a reasonable standard of care, resulting in patient harm, is __. ANS: negligence Rationale: Negligence is the foundation of many malpractice lawsuits. The California Dental Board is the state agency responsible for _ and _ dental licenses and regulating the practice of dentistry in the state. ANS: issuing, regulating Rationale: The Dental Board ensures that dentists and dental auxiliaries meet specific standards and adhere to the law. True/False A dentist can legally delegate the administration of local anesthesia to a registered dental assistant in California. ANS: False Rationale: In California, the administration of local anesthesia is restricted to licensed dentists and, under specific conditions, to dental hygienists. Patient records must be maintained for a minimum of 7 years from the date of the last treatment, according to California law. ANS: True Rationale: This retention period allows for adequate access to records for legal and ethical reasons. The concept of "informed consent" requires that patients understand the risks, benefits, and alternatives of a proposed dental treatment before agreeing to it.

c) Radiographs. d) Financial records. ANS: a, b, c Rationale: Financial records are not typically a required part of the clinical record. Which of the following are considered elements of informed consent? (Select all that apply) a) Disclosure of the diagnosis. b) Explanation of treatment options. c) Discussion of the risks and benefits of each option. d) The patient's signature on a consent form. ANS: a, b, c, d Rationale: All elements are essential for ensuring that the patient's consent is truly informed. Which of the following are examples of unethical behavior in dental practice? (Select all that apply) a) Breaching patient confidentiality. b) Failing to report suspected child abuse. c) Providing substandard care. d) Billing for services not rendered. ANS: a, b, c, d Rationale: All represent violations of ethical principles and can lead to legal consequences. What types of supervision are typically recognized for dental hygienists in California? (Select all that apply) a) Direct supervision.

b) General supervision. c) Indirect supervision. d) Independent supervision. ANS: a, b, c Rationale: California law defines the scope of practice for dental hygienists based on the level of supervision provided by a licensed dentist. I. Scope of Practice and Delegation Multiple Choice: A registered dental assistant (RDA) in California is permitted to: A. Administer local anesthetic B. Take final impressions for cast restorations C. Place and remove rubber dams D. Diagnose oral pathologies ANS: C Rationale: RDAs can place/rubber dams, but cannot administer anesthetic, take final impressions, or diagnose. True/False: Only licensed dentists in California are allowed to perform irreversible procedures. ANS: True Rationale: Only DDS/DMD licensees can legally perform irreversible procedures. Fill-in-the-Blank: A procedure that is legally allowed to be performed without the physical presence of a supervising dentist, but under their overall direction, is said to be performed under ___________ supervision. ANS: General Rationale: General supervision requires the dentist’s direction but not their physical presence.