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

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New York Dental Jurisprudence

Final Test Review

(Questions & Solutions)

1. (Multiple Choice) In New York, which procedure is within a dental hygienist’s scope of practice when performed under the supervision of a dentist? A. Administering local anesthesia without additional certification B. Performing oral prophylaxis (scaling and polishing) C. Executing operative restorative procedures D. Fabricating temporary crowns ANS: B Rationale: New York regulations allow dental hygienists, under appropriate supervision, to perform non-invasive procedures such as oral prophylaxis. Invasive procedures (e.g., administering anesthesia or restorative work) must be performed by or under direct management of a licensed dentist.

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2. (Fill-in-the-Blank) In New York, delegation of non‑clinical tasks, such as sterilizing instruments or record‑keeping, to dental assistants may be performed under __________ supervision. ANS: indirect Rationale: New York permits delegation of non‑clinical duties to dental assistants under indirect supervision. This means the dentist need not be physically present but must remain available for consultation or immediate intervention if necessary.

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3. (True/False) True or False: A dental assistant in New York may perform operative

D. Deferred supervision ANS: C Rationale: “Direct supervision” mandates that the dentist be physically present in the operatory while procedures are carried out. This ensures immediate oversight and intervention if any issues arise, thereby protecting patient safety.

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II. Licensure, Continuing Education, and Certification

6. (Multiple Choice) To maintain an active dental license in New York, a dentist must complete how many continuing education (CE) hours per renewal period (typically every three years)? A. 20 hours B. 30 hours C. 50 hours D. 70 hours ANS: C Rationale: New York requires that dentists complete 50 continuing education hours every renewal period to stay current with advances in clinical practice and legal matters.

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7. (Fill-in-the-Blank) New York law mandates that a current dental license must be __________ in the dental office to ensure compliance and public trust. ANS: prominently displayed Rationale: Displaying the dental license in a conspicuous place in the office assures patients and regulatory bodies that the practitioner is fully

licensed and compliant with state regulations.

8. (True/False) True or False: In New York, dental hygienists and assistants are also required to periodically complete continuing education to maintain their certifications or registrations. ANS: True Rationale: Not only dentists, but also dental hygienists and assistants, must adhere to continuing education requirements in New York to ensure ongoing competency and compliance with state standards.

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9. (Multiple Response) Select all acceptable methods for earning CE credits applicable for New York dental professionals:

• Accredited online courses
• Live seminars and conferences
• Self-study without any assessment
• Hands-on workshops with skill demonstrations ANSs: Accredited online courses, Live seminars and conferences, Hands-on workshops with skill demonstrations Rationale: New York accepts CE credits earned through accredited online courses, live seminars, and workshops that include practical assessments. Pure self-study without any evaluation does not typically qualify.

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10. (Multiple Choice) Which advanced certification would most likely be pursued by a New

ANS: secure Rationale: Secure storage (e.g., electronic records with encryption or locked file cabinets) is mandated to protect patient data, thereby maintaining confidentiality and compliance with privacy laws.

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13. (True/False) True or False: In New York, a dentist may release a patient’s treatment information to a family member without the patient’s consent if the family member is present during the visit. ANS: False Rationale: Patient confidentiality rules require that any disclosure of personal health information in New York is subject to patient consent, regardless of the family member’s presence.

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14. (Multiple Response) Select all proper record-keeping practices as required in a New York dental practice:

• Keeping detailed and accurate treatment records
• Updating patient files throughout the treatment process
• Storing records electronically with encryption or physically in locked cabinets
• Disposing of records immediately after treatment is completed ANSs: Keeping detailed and accurate treatment records; Updating patient files; Storing records securely Rationale: Appropriate record-keeping includes detailed documentation, timely updates, and secure storage of records. Immediate disposal of records is not acceptable under New York retention laws.

15. (Multiple Choice) In a legal dispute regarding dental malpractice in New York, well- maintained patient records serve to demonstrate that the provider met the __________ standard in care. A. financial B. established standard of care C. generalized standard D. assumed standard ANS: established standard of care Rationale: Comprehensive and accurate records can show that treatments met the established standard of care, which is critical in defending against malpractice claims.

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IV. Legal Terminology and the Nature of Dental Liability

16. (Multiple Choice) Which term refers to a dental practitioner’s failure to provide care consistent with accepted professional standards, leading to patient harm? A. Strict liability B. Malpractice C. Breach of fiduciary duty D. Informed consent ANS: B Rationale: Malpractice is defined as the failure to meet accepted standards of care that results in patient harm—a central concept in dental liability cases.

that duty, and causation resulting in damages; the dentist’s financial benefit is not a necessary element.

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20. (Multiple Choice) Which document is essential in establishing that a patient was thoroughly informed about a proposed treatment, thereby helping to limit dental liability in New York? A. Treatment estimate B. Informed consent form C. Appointment confirmation letter D. Clinical chart summary ANS: B Rationale: An informed consent form is vital because it documents that the patient was informed about the treatment, risks, and alternatives, thereby forming a protective legal agreement between the dentist and the patient.

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V. Ethical Principles in Dental Practice

21. (Multiple Choice) Which ethical principle obligates dental professionals to “do no harm” during patient care? A. Autonomy B. Beneficence C. Nonmaleficence D. Justice ANS: C Rationale: Nonmaleficence is the principle that mandates healthcare providers to avoid causing harm to patients, forming one of the core

ethics in dental practice.

22. (Fill-in-the-Blank) Maintaining patient __________ is a fundamental ethical duty that helps preserve trust and uphold professional integrity in dental practice. ANS: confidentiality Rationale: Protecting patient confidentiality is critical both ethically and legally. It ensures that personal health information is safeguarded against unauthorized disclosure.

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23. (True/False) True or False: It is ethically acceptable for a dentist in New York to minimize a procedure’s risks in communication with a patient if it increases the likelihood of treatment acceptance. ANS: False Rationale: Ethical practice requires full disclosure of all pertinent risks so that patients can provide truly informed consent; minimizing risks for the sake of acceptance is unethical.

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

• Providing comprehensive and truthful disclosure of treatment options
• Clearly communicating fees and costs
• Respecting the patient’s right to make informed decisions
• Withholding unfavorable information to secure consent

York State Education Department is responsible for dental licensure and regulatory oversight.

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27. (Fill-in-the-Blank) New York regulations require that disciplinary actions taken against dental professionals be reported to the __________ to ensure transparency and public safety. ANS: New York State Education Department Rationale: Reporting disciplinary actions to the New York State Education Department (Office of the Professions) is essential for maintaining accountability and protecting the public.

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28. (True/False) True or False: In New York, even when required to report communicable diseases, dental professionals must continue to adhere fully to patient confidentiality requirements, sharing only the minimum information legally mandated. ANS: True Rationale: Dental professionals in New York must follow confidentiality guidelines strictly—even during mandated reporting—disclosing only what is legally required.

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

• Mandatory continuing education requirements
• Strict patient record‑keeping and confidentiality standards

• Clearly defined scope‑of‑practice boundaries
• Unlimited delegation of clinical tasks without proper supervision ANSs: Mandatory continuing education; Strict record‑keeping and confidentiality; Clearly defined scope‑of‑practice Rationale: New York regulations enforce continuing education, stringent record‑keeping, and well-defined clinical boundaries. Unlimited delegation without supervision is not permitted.

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30. (Multiple Choice) 

New York state regulations require that dental advertising be: A. Aesthetically appealing regardless of content accuracy B. Truthful, accurately reflect credentials, and non‑misleading C. Pre‑approved by the New York State Education Department D. Focused solely on discounted pricing ANS: B Rationale: New York law mandates that dental advertising be truthful, verifiable, and not misleading. Claims regarding credentials and services must be accurate to protect consumers and uphold professional standards.

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A dental hygienist in New York is asked by a patient to perform a teeth 

whitening procedure, which is outside the scope of practice for a dental hygienist. The hygienist, eager to please the patient, proceeds with the procedure under the supervision of a dentist. The patient later experiences severe sensitivity. Based on New York State regulations, who is primarily liable for the patient's injury? a) The dental hygienist b) The supervising dentist

Which of the following are considered protected health information (PHI) under HIPAA and New York State laws? Select all that apply. a) Patient's name b) Patient's diagnosis c) Patient's insurance information d) Patient's home address e) The dentist's personal email address Correct ANSs: a, b, c, d Rationale: All the listed options, except the dentist's personal email address, constitute PHI. PHI includes any information that can identify a patient and relates to their past, present, or future health condition. Multiple Choice: A dental practice in New York experiences a data breach where patient records are compromised. According to New York State law, what is the primary responsibility of the practice? a) Immediately notify the patients affected and the New York State Department of Health. b) Notify the local police department. c) Inform the insurance companies of the breach. d) Post a notice in the dental office. Correct ANS: a) Immediately notify the patients affected and the New York State Department of Health. Rationale: New York law mandates prompt notification of affected patients and the Department of Health in the event of a data breach involving protected health information. Fill-in-the-Blank: The legal term for a dentist's failure to exercise the reasonable care

that a prudent dentist would exercise under similar circumstances is __. Correct ANS: negligence Rationale: Negligence is the failure to provide a standard of care that a reasonable person would provide under similar circumstances. True/False: In New York, a dentist can be held liable for the actions of a dental hygienist if the hygienist is acting within the scope of their duties and under the dentist's supervision. Correct ANS: True Rationale: This is an example of vicarious liability, where the dentist is responsible for the actions of their employees. Multiple Response: Which of the following are key ethical principles that guide dental practice in New York? Select all that apply. a) Beneficence b) Non-maleficence c) Justice d) Autonomy e) Profit maximization Correct ANSs: a, b, c, d Rationale: These are the core ethical principles. Profit maximization is not a primary ethical principle. Multiple Choice: A dentist in New York wishes to renew their license. What is a mandatory requirement for license renewal?

a) Discussing a patient's treatment plan with the patient's spouse without consent. b) Leaving patient records visible on a computer screen in a public area. c) Sharing patient information with another healthcare provider for treatment purposes, with the patient's consent. d) Discussing a patient's case with a colleague for educational purposes, without removing identifying information. e) Sending a patient's medical records to an insurance company. Correct ANSs: a, b, d Rationale: These actions violate patient confidentiality. Sharing information with other providers for treatment (with consent) and sending records to insurance companies are generally permissible. Multiple Choice: In New York, what is the legal term for a voluntary agreement between a patient and a dentist for a specific treatment? a) Implied consent b) Informed consent c) Assumed consent d) General consent Correct ANS: b) Informed consent Rationale: Informed consent requires the patient to understand the risks, benefits, and alternatives of a treatment before agreeing to it. Fill-in-the-Blank: The legal document that outlines a patient's wishes for medical treatment in the event they become incapacitated is called a __. Correct ANS: living will (or advance directive)

Rationale: A living will (or advance directive) specifies a patient's preferences for medical care. True/False: A dental practice in New York must maintain patient records for at least 6 years from the date of the last treatment. Correct ANS: True Rationale: This is the standard retention period for patient records in New York. Multiple Response: Which of the following are examples of unprofessional conduct that could lead to disciplinary action against a dentist in New York? Select all that apply. a) Practicing dentistry under the influence of alcohol or drugs. b) Failing to maintain accurate patient records. c) Advertising services in a misleading or deceptive manner. d) Providing treatment without obtaining informed consent. e) Referring a patient to a specialist. Correct ANSs: a, b, c, d Rationale: These actions represent unprofessional conduct. Referring a patient is not considered unprofessional. Multiple Choice: A dentist in New York is sued for malpractice. The plaintiff (the patient) must prove which of the following to win the case? a) The dentist was negligent, and that negligence caused harm. b) The dentist followed the standard of care.