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

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New Jersey Dental Jurisprudence

Final Test Review

(Questions & Solutions)

1. (Multiple Choice) In New Jersey, which procedure is within a dental hygienist’s scope of practice when performed under direct supervision of a licensed dentist? A. Administering local anesthesia without additional certification B. Performing oral prophylaxis (scaling and polishing) C. Conducting operative restorative procedures D. Fabricating temporary crowns ANS : B Rationale: New Jersey law permits dental hygienists to perform non‑invasive procedures such as scaling and polishing under direct supervision. Invasive procedures like local anesthesia or restorative work require the dentist’s direct involvement or additional certification.

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2. (Fill-in-the-Blank) In New Jersey, delegation of non‑clinical tasks (e.g., instrument sterilization or record‑keeping) to dental assistants is performed under __________ supervision. ANS : indirect Rationale: Non‑clinical tasks may be delegated under indirect supervision, meaning the dentist need not be physically present at all times yet must be available for consultation as required by state regulations.

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3. (True/False) True or False: A dental assistant in New Jersey is authorized to perform operative procedures independently if they have completed the required

Rationale: Direct supervision requires that a dentist be physically present in the operatory while the dental procedure is performed, ensuring immediate oversight and patient safety.

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II. Licensure, Continuing Education, and Certification

6. (Multiple Choice) To maintain an active dental license in New Jersey, how many continuing education (CE) hours must a dentist typically complete per renewal cycle? A. 20 hours B. 30 hours C. 50 hours D. 70 hours ANS : C Rationale: New Jersey requires dentists to complete 50 CE hours per renewal period to ensure they remain up‐to‐date with advances in clinical research, technology, and legal standards.

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7. (Fill-in-the-Blank) New Jersey law mandates that a current dental license must be __________ in the office, ensuring both regulatory compliance and public trust. ANS : prominently displayed Rationale: Displaying the license prominently is required to demonstrate that the practitioner is fully licensed and compliant with state regulations.

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8. (True/False) True or False: In New Jersey, dental hygienists and dental assistants are exempt from continuing education requirements. ANS : False Rationale: Both dental hygienists and dental assistants in New Jersey must meet continuing education requirements appropriate to their roles in order to maintain certification or registration.

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

• Accredited online courses
• Live seminars and workshops
• National conferences with recorded sessions
• Self-study without formal assessment ANS s: Accredited online courses; Live seminars and workshops; National conferences with recorded sessions Rationale: CE credits may be earned through accredited online courses, live seminars, workshops, and reputable conferences. Self‑study without a formal evaluation typically does not satisfy New Jersey’s CE requirements.

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10. (Multiple Choice) Which certification is regarded as an advanced credential for a dental specialist in New Jersey? A. Certified Dental Technician B. Board Certification in Orthodontics C. Registered Dental Assistant

13. (True/False) True or False: In New Jersey, a dental professional may release a patient’s treatment records to a family member without the patient’s explicit consent if the relative is present during the appointment. ANS : False Rationale: Confidentiality rules require that patient information be disclosed only with proper consent or under very narrowly defined circumstances, regardless of a family member’s presence.

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14. (Multiple Response) Select all practices that represent proper record‑keeping in a New Jersey dental office:

• Maintaining detailed treatment documentation
• Regularly updating patient records throughout treatment
• Securely storing records using encryption or locked filing systems
• Discarding records immediately after the service is provided ANS s: Maintaining detailed documentation; Regular updates; Secure storage Rationale: Records must be accurate, updated, and securely stored. Immediate disposal violates state retention requirements.

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15. (Multiple Choice) In a malpractice lawsuit, comprehensive patient records in New Jersey help demonstrate that the dentist adhered to the __________. A. patient satisfaction benchmark B. established standard of care

C. cost-efficiency guideline D. minimal intervention protocol ANS : B Rationale: Detailed records provide evidence that the dentist followed the established standard of care, which is crucial for defending against malpractice claims.

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IV. Legal Terminology and the Nature of Dental Liability

16. (Multiple Choice) Which term describes a dentist’s failure to deliver services consistent with the accepted standard of care, leading to patient injury? A. Malpractice B. Battery C. Informed consent violation D. Beneficence failure ANS : A Rationale: Malpractice occurs when a dentist fails to provide the standard of care, resulting in harm to the patient, and is the principal basis for dental liability claims.

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17. (Fill-in-the-Blank) When a dentist asserts that the patient’s own actions contributed to the injury, this is known as __________ negligence. ANS : contributory Rationale: Contributory negligence is a defense whereby it is argued that the patient’s conduct was partly responsible, potentially reducing the dentist’s liability.

C. Treatment cost estimate D. Follow-up care instructions ANS : B Rationale: The informed consent form documents that the patient was educated about potential risks, benefits, and alternatives and is key in limiting dental liability.

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V. Ethical Principles in Dental Practice

21. (Multiple Choice) Which ethical principle requires dental professionals to avoid causing harm to patients during treatment? A. Autonomy B. Beneficence C. Nonmaleficence D. Justice ANS : C Rationale: Nonmaleficence, or “do no harm,” is a core ethical principle in healthcare, requiring that treatments not cause unnecessary harm.

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22. (Fill-in-the-Blank) Maintaining patient __________ is a fundamental ethical duty that upholds trust and preserves the integrity of the dentist–patient relationship. ANS : confidentiality Rationale: Keeping patient information private is both an ethical obligation and a legal requirement that supports trust and professional integrity.

23. (True/False) True or False: It is ethically acceptable for a dentist in New Jersey to understate the risks of a treatment if doing so will increase the likelihood of patient consent. ANS : False Rationale: Ethical practice demands full disclosure of all relevant risks to ensure that consent is truly informed; understating risks violates ethical standards.

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24. (Multiple Response) Select all ethical obligations that dentists should adhere to in patient interactions in New Jersey:

• Providing complete and truthful disclosure of treatment options
• Clearly communicating all fees and costs
• Respecting the patient’s autonomy in decision-making
• Withholding unfavorable information to enhance treatment acceptance ANS s: Full disclosure; Clear fee communication; Respect for patient autonomy Rationale: Ethically, dentists must be honest, transparent, and respectful of patient choices. Withholding important information is not acceptable.

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25. (Multiple Choice) Which ethical principle is primarily concerned with ensuring that all patients have fair access to dental care and resources? A. Autonomy

28. (True/False) True or False: In New Jersey, when reporting communicable diseases, dentists must abide by confidentiality protocols and disclose only the minimum information required by law. ANS : True Rationale: Even during mandatory reporting, dental professionals in New Jersey must adhere to strict confidentiality standards, sharing only the information that is legally required.

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

• Mandatory continuing education requirements
• Secure patient record-keeping and strict confidentiality standards
• Clearly defined scope-of-practice limitations
• Unlimited delegation of clinical procedures without oversight ANS s: Mandatory continuing education; Secure record-keeping; Defined scope-of-practice limitations Rationale: New Jersey’s regulatory framework enforces required CE, stringent record security, and clear practice boundaries. Unlimited delegation is not permitted under any circumstances.

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30. (Multiple Choice) According to New Jersey state regulations, dental advertising must be: A. Visually appealing regardless of content truthfulness B. Truthful, verifiable, and non‑misleading C. Approved pre‑publication by the State Board of Dentistry

D. Focused solely on competitive pricing strategies ANS : B Rationale: New Jersey law mandates that dental advertising is truthful, accurately reflects credentials and services, and is not misleading to protect consumers and maintain professional integrity.

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A dental hygienist in New Jersey is considering performing a new procedure. According to the state's regulations, what is the primary requirement before initiating this new procedure? a) Obtaining a permit from the local health department. b) Completing a continuing education course specifically on that procedure. c) Consulting with a dentist and receiving direct supervision. d) Updating their professional liability insurance. ANS : (b) Completing a continuing education course specifically on that procedure. Rationale: New Jersey law often requires additional training and continuing education for dental professionals who want to perform procedures outside their typical scope of practice. Fill-in-the-Blank: In New Jersey, a dental assistant who is not licensed can perform certain __ tasks under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist. ANS : intraoral Rationale: This highlights the legal distinction between licensed and unlicensed personnel and the permissible scope of their duties. True/False:

scope of practice. Rationale: This emphasizes the legal boundaries of delegation. Fill-in-the-Blank: The New Jersey State Board of Dentistry is responsible for __ and regulating the practice of dentistry in the state. ANS : licensing Rationale: This focuses on the role of the governing body. True/False: In New Jersey, a dentist is legally obligated to report suspected child abuse or neglect. ANS : True Rationale: This addresses mandatory reporting requirements. Multiple Response: Which of the following are considered essential components of informed consent in New Jersey? (Select all that apply) a) Explanation of the proposed treatment. b) Discussion of alternative treatment options. c) Disclosure of potential risks and benefits. d) The patient's signature on a consent form. ANS : (a), (b), (c), (d) Rationale: This covers the elements of informed consent. Multiple Choice: What is the legal term for a dentist's failure to exercise the degree of

care and skill that a reasonably prudent dentist would have exercised under similar circumstances in New Jersey? a) Breach of contract. b) Malpractice. c) Battery. d) Negligence. ANS : (b) Malpractice. Rationale: This focuses on legal terminology related to dental liability. Fill-in-the-Blank: In New Jersey, patient confidentiality is protected by __ laws. ANS : HIPAA Rationale: This covers the federal law impacting patient privacy. True/False: Continuing education credits must be earned by dental professionals in New Jersey to maintain their licenses. ANS : True Rationale: This emphasizes the ongoing requirements for licensure. Multiple Response: What information must be included in a patient's dental record in New Jersey? (Select all that apply) a) Patient's medical history. b) Treatment plans and progress notes. c) Radiographic images. d) Financial records.

Multiple Response: Which of the following scenarios could be considered a breach of patient confidentiality in New Jersey? (Select all that apply) a) Discussing a patient's treatment plan with another dentist for consultation. b) Sharing a patient's medical information with their insurance company. c) Posting a patient's before-and-after photos on social media without consent. d) Leaving a patient's chart open on a computer screen in a public area. ANS : (c), (d) Rationale: This covers examples of breaches of patient confidentiality. Multiple Choice: A dentist in New Jersey is facing a disciplinary action by the State Board of Dentistry. What is the first step in the disciplinary process? a) The dentist's license is automatically revoked. b) The dentist is immediately arrested. c) The dentist receives a notice of charges and an opportunity to respond. d) The dentist is required to pay a fine. ANS : (c) The dentist receives a notice of charges and an opportunity to respond. Rationale: This addresses the disciplinary process. Fill-in-the-Blank: __ is the legal term for intentionally touching another person without

their consent. ANS : Battery Rationale: This introduces a key legal term related to liability. True/False: In New Jersey, a dentist can legally refuse to treat a patient based on their race or religion. ANS : False Rationale: This addresses ethical and legal obligations regarding patient care. Multiple Response: Which of the following are potential consequences of practicing dentistry without a valid license in New Jersey? (Select all that apply) a) Criminal charges. b) Civil penalties. c) Injunctions to cease practice. d) Loss of professional reputation. ANS : (a), (b), (c), (d) Rationale: This covers the legal ramifications of practicing without a license. Scope of Practice and Delegation

1. Multiple Choice: A New Jersey licensed dental hygienist is asked by the supervising dentist to administer a local anesthetic during a general supervision situation. Which of the following is permitted? A) Yes, if the dentist is in the office.