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

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Maryland Dental Jurisprudence

Final Test Review

(Questions & Solutions)

1. (Multiple Choice) In Maryland, which of the following procedures is within a dental hygienist’s scope of practice when performed under appropriate supervision? A. Administering local anesthesia without additional credentials B. Performing oral prophylaxis (scaling and polishing) C. Fabricating indirect restorations D. Conducting full restorative procedures ANS: B Rationale: Maryland permits dental hygienists to perform preventive procedures like scaling and polishing under dentist supervision. Invasive restorative or anesthetic procedures require direct involvement or additional certification of the dentist.

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2. (Fill-in-the-Blank) In Maryland, delegation of non‑clinical functions, such as record‑keeping and instrument processing, to a dental assistant is acceptable under __________ supervision. ANS: indirect Rationale: Under Maryland regulations, non‑clinical tasks may be delegated with indirect supervision, meaning the dentist must be available for consultation but need not be physically present at all times.

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

physically present in the operatory to provide immediate guidance and intervention if needed, ensuring patient safety.

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II. Licensure, Continuing Education, and Certification

6. (Multiple Choice) To maintain an active dental license in Maryland, a dentist must complete a specified number of continuing education (CE) hours within each renewal cycle. Typically, how many hours are required every three years? A. 30 hours B. 40 hours C. 50 hours D. 60 hours ANS: C Rationale: The Maryland Board of Dentistry generally requires 50 CE hours every three years to keep clinicians updated with current clinical practices, technology, and legal developments.

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7. (Fill-in-the-Blank) Maryland law mandates that a current dental license must be __________ in the dental office so that it is visible to patients and inspectors. ANS: prominently displayed Rationale: Displaying the license prominently is essential for regulatory compliance and builds public trust in the dentist’s credentials.

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8. (True/False) True or False: In Maryland, not only dentists but also dental hygienists and dental assistants must meet continuing education requirements to maintain their registrations or certifications. ANS: True Rationale: Maryland requires all licensed dental professionals to complete continuing education appropriate to their role, ensuring ongoing competency and adherence to state standards.

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9. (Multiple Response) Select all acceptable methods for Maryland dental professionals to earn CE credits:

• Accredited online courses
• Live seminars and workshops
• National conferences with verified attendance
• Unsupervised self‑study with no formal assessment ANSs: Accredited online courses; Live seminars and workshops; National conferences with verified attendance Rationale: CE credits must be earned through accredited and formally evaluated educational activities; unsupervised self‑study without assessment typically does not qualify.

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10. (Multiple Choice) Which advanced certification is most recognized in Maryland for a dental specialist seeking to demonstrate expertise beyond general dentistry? A. Certificate in Dental Office Management B. Board Certification in Endodontics C. Registered Dental Assistant Certification D. Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology

13. (True/False) True or False: In Maryland, a dentist may release a patient’s treatment records to a family member without the patient’s written consent if the family member is present during the appointment. ANS: False Rationale: Patient confidentiality rules require that protected information be shared only with proper authorization, regardless of a family member’s presence.

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14. (Multiple Response) Select all practices that exemplify proper record‑keeping in a Maryland dental office:

• Detailed and accurate documentation of all treatments performed
• Regularly updating and verifying patient records during treatment
• Securely storing records on encrypted servers or locked file cabinets
• Disposing of records immediately after patient discharge ANSs: Detailed documentation; Regular updates; Secure storage Rationale: Proper record-keeping in Maryland necessitates detailed and continuously updated records, securely stored, to comply with retention laws. Immediate disposal is not compliant with legal retention policies.

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15. (Multiple Choice) In a malpractice lawsuit in Maryland, comprehensive patient records are crucial because they help demonstrate that the dentist adhered to the __________ standard of care.

A. established standard of care B. lowest possible cost guideline C. brief intervention protocol D. patient satisfaction benchmark ANS: A Rationale: Comprehensive records serve as evidence that the dentist provided care consistent with the established standard of care, an essential defense in malpractice cases.

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IV. Legal Terminology and the Nature of Dental Liability

16. (Multiple Choice) Which term describes a dentist’s failure to provide services consistent with accepted standards, thereby causing patient harm in Maryland? A. Battery B. Malpractice C. Breach of fiduciary duty D. Informed consent violation ANS: B Rationale: Malpractice refers to a breach in the standard of care that results in harm to a patient, which is the primary basis of dental liability claims in Maryland.

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17. (Fill-in-the-Blank) When a dentist in Maryland argues that the patient’s actions contributed significantly to the injury, it is invoked as a defense of __________ negligence. ANS: contributory

thereby limiting dental liability? A. A treatment estimate B. The informed consent form C. The appointment reminder D. The patient’s dental chart summary ANS: B Rationale: The informed consent form confirms that the patient received complete disclosure about treatment options, risks, and benefits, serving as key legal evidence in dental liability cases.

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V. Ethical Principles in Dental Practice

21. (Multiple Choice) Which ethical principle compels dental professionals to avoid causing harm to patients during treatment? A. Autonomy B. Beneficence C. Nonmaleficence D. Justice ANS: C Rationale: Nonmaleficence—"do no harm"—is a fundamental ethical principle in healthcare and dentistry, ensuring that treatments do not cause unnecessary harm to patients.

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22. (Fill-in-the-Blank) Maintaining patient __________ is a core ethical obligation that bolsters trust and the integrity of the dental professional–patient relationship in Maryland.

ANS: confidentiality Rationale: Preserving patient confidentiality is essential both ethically and legally, supporting trust and protecting sensitive personal information.

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23. (True/False) True or False: It is ethically acceptable for a Maryland dentist to downplay the risks of a treatment if doing so increases the likelihood of obtaining patient consent. ANS: False Rationale: Full and honest disclosure of risks is necessary for informed consent. Understating risks violates ethical standards and undermines patient autonomy.

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

• Providing complete, truthful information about treatment options
• Clearly outlining fees and potential costs
• Respecting the patient’s right to make informed decisions
• Withholding unfavorable information to secure consent ANSs: Provide complete information; Clearly outline fees; Respect patient autonomy Rationale: Ethical practice demands transparency and respect. Withholding critical information undermines patient autonomy and is unethical.

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ANS: 30

Rationale: Dentists in Maryland are typically required to report changes within 30 days to ensure that licensure records remain accurate and up‑to‑date.

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28. (True/False) True or False: In Maryland, when reporting communicable diseases, dental professionals must adhere to strict confidentiality protocols and disclose only the minimum information required by law. ANS: True Rationale: Even under mandatory reporting situations, Maryland dental professionals are bound by confidentiality rules and must release only what is legally required.

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29. (Multiple Response) Select all components that form the fundamental elements of Maryland’s regulatory framework for dental practice:

• Mandatory continuing education requirements
• Secure record‑keeping and stringent confidentiality rules
• Clearly defined scopes of practice and delegation limits
• Unlimited delegation of operative procedures without oversight ANSs: Mandatory continuing education; Secure record‑keeping/confidentiality; Clearly defined scopes of practice Rationale: Maryland’s regulatory framework mandates continuing education, secure and complete record‑keeping, and well-defined practice scopes. Unlimited delegation is strictly prohibited.

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30. (Multiple Choice) According to Maryland state regulations, dental advertising must be: A. Visually appealing regardless of content accuracy B. Truthful, verifiable, and non‑misleading C. Pre‑approved by the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners D. Focused solely on promotional pricing ANS: B Rationale: Maryland law requires that all dental advertising be truthful, verifiable, and not misleading in order to protect consumers and maintain the professionalism of the dental practice.

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A dental hygienist in Maryland is considering expanding her practice to include administering Botox injections. According to Maryland law, what is the primary requirement for a dental hygienist to legally perform this procedure? a) Possession of a valid dental hygiene license. b) Completion of a board-approved course and certification in Botox administration. c) Supervision by a licensed dentist who has completed a course in Botox administration. d) All of the above. ANS: d) All of the above. Rationale: In Maryland, a dental hygienist must possess a valid license, complete a board-approved course and certification, and work under the supervision of a licensed dentist to administer Botox injections. Fill-in-the-Blank:

e) Discussing a patient's case with a dental assistant who is not directly involved in the patient's care. ANS: b, c, and e Rationale: Breaches of confidentiality include unauthorized access to records, sharing information without consent, and discussing patient information with those not involved in their care. Multiple Choice: A dentist in Maryland is accused of negligence for failing to diagnose a patient's oral cancer. Which legal concept would be most relevant in determining the dentist's liability? a) Res Ipsa Loquitur b) Malpractice c) Battery d) Breach of Contract ANS: b) Malpractice Rationale: Malpractice refers to professional negligence, such as failing to meet the standard of care, which can lead to liability. Fill-in-the-Blank: In Maryland, a dentist is legally obligated to maintain patient records for a minimum of __. ANS: Seven years Rationale: This is the standard retention period for patient records in Maryland.

True/False: A dental assistant in Maryland can legally perform coronal polishing under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist. ANS: True Rationale: Coronal polishing is within the scope of practice for a dental assistant under the direct supervision of a dentist in Maryland. Multiple Response: Which of the following are considered ethical principles in dental practice? Select all that apply. a) Beneficence b) Non-maleficence c) Autonomy d) Justice e) Veracity ANS: a, b, c, d, and e Rationale: These are fundamental ethical principles guiding dental practice. Multiple Choice: A dentist in Maryland wants to delegate the task of taking impressions to a dental assistant. What is the primary consideration regarding the legality of this delegation? a) The dental assistant's level of experience. b) The specific regulations outlined by the Maryland Board of Dental Examiners.

c) Incorrect diagnosis or treatment. d) Breach of patient confidentiality. e) Billing errors. ANS: a, b, c, and d Rationale: These actions represent potential breaches of the standard of care and can lead to legal claims. Multiple Choice: A dentist in Maryland is facing a disciplinary action from the Board of Dental Examiners. What is the first step in the disciplinary process? a) License revocation. b) A formal hearing. c) An investigation. d) A public reprimand. ANS: c) An investigation. Rationale: The Board initiates an investigation to assess the validity of the complaint. Fill-in-the-Blank: The legal doctrine that protects healthcare professionals from liability for actions taken in good faith during an emergency situation is known as __. ANS: Good Samaritan Law Rationale: This law encourages professionals to provide aid without fear of legal repercussions.

True/False: Maryland dental hygienists are required to complete a specific number of continuing education hours related to infection control. ANS: True Rationale: Infection control is a critical area for CE in dental hygiene. Multiple Response: Which of the following factors can influence the standard of care expected of a dentist in Maryland? Select all that apply. a) The dentist's level of experience. b) The location of the dental practice. c) The patient's age. d) The accepted practices within the dental community. e) The availability of advanced technology. ANS: a, b, d, and e Rationale: The standard of care is based on what a reasonably prudent dentist would do under similar circumstances. Multiple Choice: A dental practice in Maryland wants to use a patient's photograph for marketing purposes. What is the primary legal requirement? a) The patient's verbal consent. b) The patient's written consent. c) No consent is needed if the photo does not identify the patient. d) The practice can use the photo without consent.