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

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Texas Dental Jurisprudence

Final Test Review

(Questions & Solutions)

1. (Multiple Choice) In Texas, which procedure is within a dental hygienist’s scope of practice when performed under the supervision of a licensed dentist? A. Administering local anesthesia without specialized certification B. Conducting an oral prophylaxis (scaling and polishing) C. Preparing and placing a composite restoration D. Fabricating temporary crowns ANS : B Rationale: Texas law allows dental hygienists to perform non-invasive preventive procedures such as scaling and polishing under supervision. Invasive procedures or those requiring direct restorative intervention remain within the dentist’s domain or require additional certification.

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2. (Fill-in-the-Blank) In Texas, delegation of non‑clinical tasks (such as instrument sterilization or patient record data entry) to a dental assistant is performed under __________ supervision. ANS : indirect Rationale: Under Texas regulations, non‑clinical tasks may be delegated under indirect supervision—meaning the supervising dentist need not be in the operatory at all times but must remain available for consultation.

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3. (True/False) True or False: A dental assistant in Texas is permitted to perform operative procedures independently after receiving in‑office training.

intervention if necessary and optimizing patient safety.

II. Licensure, Continuing Education, and Certification

6. (Multiple Choice) To maintain an active dental license in Texas, a dentist must generally complete how many continuing education (CE) hours per biennial renewal cycle? A. 12 hours B. 24 hours C. 36 hours D. 50 hours ANS : B Rationale: In Texas, the State Board of Dental Examiners requires dentists to complete 24 CE hours every two years. (Note: Requirements for dental hygienists/assistants often differ—in one sample, 6 hours were required for an RDA.)

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7. (Fill-in-the-Blank) Texas law mandates that a current dental license must be __________ in the practice location to demonstrate regulatory compliance. ANS : prominently displayed Rationale: Displaying the license prominently in the office is required by Texas law to assure patients and regulators that the practitioner is licensed and in good standing.

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8. (True/False)

True or False: In Texas, dental hygienists and dental assistants are also obligated to complete continuing education to maintain their certifications or registrations. ANS : True Rationale: Texas requires not only dentists but also dental hygienists and assistants to fulfill continuing education requirements to ensure ongoing professional development and competency.

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

• Accredited online courses
• Live seminars and workshops
• National conferences with recorded sessions
• Informal self‑study without assessment ANS s: Accredited online courses; Live seminars and workshops; National conferences with recorded sessions Rationale: CE credits in Texas must be earned through accredited or formally assessed educational activities; informal self‑study without evaluation does not qualify.

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10. (Multiple Choice) Which advanced credential is most recognized for demonstrating clinical expertise for a dental specialist in Texas? A. Certificate in Dental Office Management B. Board Certification in Endodontics C. Registered Dental Assistant D. Certified Dental Technician

13. (True/False) True or False: In Texas, a dentist can share a patient’s treatment information with a family member without consent if the family member assists during the visit. ANS : False Rationale: Confidentiality rules in Texas require patient consent before releasing any PHI, regardless of a family member’s presence, except in narrowly defined exceptions.

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

• Maintaining accurate and detailed patient records
• Periodically updating patient records during treatment
• Securely storing records in an encrypted database or locked files
• Shredding records immediately after treatment completion ANS s: Maintaining accurate records; Periodic updates; Secure storage Rationale: Records must be complete, updated, and securely stored to comply with Texas retention laws. Immediate disposal violates legal record‑keeping requirements.

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15. (Multiple Choice) In a dental malpractice case in Texas, comprehensive patient records help establish that the dentist met the __________ standard of care. A. established standard of care B. patient satisfaction guideline C. minimal intervention requirement D. cost-effective care protocol

ANS : A

Rationale: Detailed patient records support evidence that the dentist adhered to the established standard of care, which is crucial in defending against malpractice claims.

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IV. Legal Terminology and the Nature of Dental Liability

16. (Multiple Choice) Which legal term best describes a dentist’s failure to provide care in line with accepted standards, thereby causing harm? A. Malpractice B. Battery C. Informed consent violation D. Breach of fiduciary duty ANS : A Rationale: Malpractice refers to negligence or failure by the dentist to adhere to the standard of care expected, causing patient harm. This is the primary basis of dental liability claims.

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17. (Fill-in-the-Blank) When a dentist argues that the patient’s own actions contributed to the injury, this defense is known as __________ negligence. ANS : contributory Rationale: Contributory negligence is a legal doctrine whereby the patient’s own behavior is shown to have contributed to the adverse outcome, potentially reducing the dentist’s liability.

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ANS : B

Rationale: The informed consent form documents that the patient received full disclosure regarding the proposed treatment and associated risks, thereby serving as a vital legal safeguard.

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V. Ethical Principles in Dental Practice

21. (Multiple Choice) Which ethical principle directs dental professionals to “do no harm” while delivering care? A. Autonomy B. Beneficence C. Nonmaleficence D. Justice ANS : C Rationale: Nonmaleficence is the principle of “do no harm” and is fundamental in ensuring that dental treatments do not cause undue harm to patients.

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22. (Fill-in-the-Blank) Maintaining patient __________ is a core ethical obligation that helps build trust and preserves the integrity of the dentist–patient relationship in Texas. ANS : confidentiality Rationale: Patient confidentiality is essential for protecting sensitive information and is both an ethical and legal responsibility.

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23. (True/False) True or False: It is ethically acceptable for a dentist in Texas to underrepresent the risks of a procedure if doing so increases the likelihood of patient acceptance. ANS : False Rationale: Ethical standards require full and honest disclosure of all treatment risks to secure truly informed consent. Underrepresenting risks breaches ethical principles.

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

• Offering complete and honest disclosure of treatment options
• Clearly communicating all associated fees and costs
• Respecting the patient’s autonomy and right to make informed decisions
• Withholding potentially unfavorable information to ensure treatment acceptance ANS s: Complete disclosure; Clear fee communication; Respecting patient autonomy Rationale: Ethical practice requires openness and respect for patient autonomy. Withholding information is unethical and undermines trust.

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25. (Multiple Choice) Which ethical principle is primarily concerned with ensuring fair access to dental care and equitable distribution of resources? A. Autonomy B. Justice C. Beneficence

28. (True/False) True or False: In Texas, when reporting communicable diseases, a dentist must adhere to confidentiality standards and release only the minimum information required by law. ANS : True Rationale: Even during public health reporting, Texas dental professionals must follow confidentiality protocols, disclosing only what is legally mandated.

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

• Mandatory continuing education requirements
• Standards for secure patient record‑keeping
• Clearly defined scope‑of‑practice guidelines
• No restrictions on delegation without supervision ANS s: Mandatory continuing education; Secure record‑keeping; Clearly defined scope‑of‑practice guidelines Rationale: Texas regulations enforce CE, robust record‑keeping, and clear practice boundaries. Unlimited delegation without proper supervision is not permitted.

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30. (Multiple Choice) Texas state regulations mandate that dental advertising be: A. Visually attractive regardless of accuracy B. Truthful, verifiable, and non‑misleading C. Pre‑approved by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners D. Focused solely on discount pricing strategies

ANS : B

Rationale: In Texas, dental advertising must be truthful and accurate, with claims that are verifiable and non‑misleading, in order to protect consumers and maintain professional integrity. A dental hygienist in Texas is preparing to administer local anesthesia. According to the Texas Dental Practice Act, which of the following statements is TRUE regarding the scope of practice for this procedure? a) A dental hygienist can administer local anesthesia without direct supervision. b) A dental hygienist can administer local anesthesia under the general supervision of a licensed dentist. c) A dental hygienist can administer local anesthesia only after completing a board-approved course and under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist. d) A dental hygienist is not permitted to administer local anesthesia in Texas. Correct ANS : c) A dental hygienist can administer local anesthesia only after completing a board-approved course and under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist. Rationale: The Texas Dental Practice Act specifically outlines the requirements for dental hygienists to administer local anesthesia, including a board-approved course and direct supervision. Fill-in-the-Blank: In Texas, the primary regulatory body responsible for overseeing the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene is the __. Correct ANS : Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) Rationale: The TSBDE is the state agency that licenses and regulates

temporary crowns to a dental assistant. According to the Texas Dental Practice Act, under what level of supervision is this permissible? a) Direct supervision b) Indirect supervision c) General supervision d) The dentist cannot delegate this task. Correct ANS : a) Direct supervision Rationale: The Texas Dental Practice Act specifies the level of supervision required for various delegated tasks, often requiring direct supervision for procedures like placing temporary crowns to ensure patient safety and proper execution. Fill-in-the-Blank: The legal term for a healthcare provider's failure to exercise the degree of care a reasonably prudent provider would exercise under similar circumstances is __. Correct ANS : Negligence Rationale: Negligence is a core concept in medical and dental malpractice law, referring to a breach of the duty of care that results in patient harm. True/False: Patient records in Texas must be maintained for a minimum of 5 years from the date of the last treatment. Correct ANS : True Rationale: The Texas Dental Practice Act and related regulations mandate the minimum retention period for patient records to ensure availability for audits, legal proceedings, and continuity of care.

Multiple Response: Which of the following are considered components of informed consent in dental practice? (Select all that apply.) a) A description of the proposed treatment or procedure. b) An explanation of the potential risks and benefits. c) Information about alternative treatment options. d) The patient's signature on a consent form. e) The dentist's personal opinion on the best treatment. Correct ANS : a, b, c, d Rationale: Informed consent requires the patient to understand the treatment, its implications, and alternatives before agreeing to it. Multiple Choice: A dentist in Texas is found to have engaged in unethical conduct. The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners can impose which of the following disciplinary actions? a) Revocation of the dentist's license b) Suspension of the dentist's license c) Probation d) All of the above Correct ANS : d) All of the above Rationale: The TSBDE has a range of disciplinary options, including license revocation, suspension, and probation, depending on the severity of the ethical violation. Fill-in-the-Blank: The legal doctrine that protects confidential communications between a dentist and a patient is known as __.

a) To regulate the fees dentists can charge. b) To protect the public's health and safety. c) To provide guidelines for marketing dental services. d) To establish the educational requirements for dental school. Correct ANS : b) To protect the public's health and safety. Rationale: The primary goal of the Act is to ensure that dental care is provided safely and competently by licensed professionals. Fill-in-the-Blank: The legal term for a situation where a dentist fails to obtain a patient's informed consent before performing a procedure is __. Correct ANS : Battery Rationale: Performing a procedure without informed consent is considered a battery, as it constitutes unauthorized touching of the patient. True/False: A dentist in Texas is required to display their current license in a conspicuous place in their office. Correct ANS : True Rationale: This requirement ensures that patients can easily verify the dentist's licensure status. Multiple Response: Which of the following are examples of ethical principles relevant to dental practice? (Select all that apply.) a) Beneficence (doing good) b) Non-maleficence (avoiding harm)

c) Autonomy (respecting patient's rights) d) Justice (fairness) e) Veracity (truthfulness) Correct ANS : a, b, c, d, e Rationale: These principles form the foundation of ethical dental practice, guiding dentists in their decision-making and interactions with patients. Multiple Choice: According to Texas law, how long must a dentist maintain records of controlled substances dispensed or administered? a) 1 year b) 2 years c) 3 years d) 5 years Correct ANS : b) 2 years Rationale: The TSBDE, in conjunction with state and federal regulations, sets the retention period for controlled substance records to ensure accountability and facilitate audits. Fill-in-the-Blank: The legal term for a written order from a court requiring a person to appear and give testimony is a __. Correct ANS : Subpoena Rationale: A subpoena is a legal instrument used to compel individuals to provide evidence in a legal proceeding. True/False: