TEXAS DENTAL HYGIENE JURISPRUDENCE
EXAM ACTUAL PREP QUESTIONS AND WELL
REVISED ANSWERS - LATEST AND COMPLETE
UPDATE WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS –
ASSURES PASS
1. A dental hygienist in Texas may perform which of the following procedures
without direct supervision of a dentist?
A. Administering local anesthesia in all patients
B. Scaling and root planing under general supervision
C. Extraction of primary teeth
D. Prescribing systemic antibiotics
Rationale: In Texas, dental hygienists can perform scaling and root planing under
general supervision. Local anesthesia requires specific training and may require
direct supervision.
2. According to Texas law, how long must a dental hygienist retain patient
records after the last treatment?
A. 2 years
B. 5 years
C. 7 years
D. Indefinitely
Rationale: Texas law mandates retention of dental records for a minimum of 7
years after the last patient visit.
3. Which of the following best describes the ethical principle of
nonmaleficence in dental hygiene practice?
, A. Promoting patient autonomy
B. Ensuring equitable treatment
C. Avoiding harm to patients
D. Maximizing patient satisfaction
Rationale: Nonmaleficence requires the provider to avoid causing harm to patients
during care.
4. A patient refuses fluoride treatment. What is the dental hygienist’s best
course of action?
A. Force treatment for patient benefit
B. Document refusal and provide education
C. Ignore the refusal and proceed
D. Report the patient to the supervising dentist
Rationale: Patient autonomy must be respected. The hygienist should educate and
document the refusal.
5. When is it mandatory for a dental hygienist to report suspected child abuse
in Texas?
A. Only if the child has visible injuries
B. Immediately upon suspicion
C. After confirming abuse with a supervisor
D. Within 30 days
Rationale: Texas law requires dental professionals to report suspected abuse
immediately; confirmation is not required.
, 6. What is the correct action if a dental hygienist encounters a patient with
uncontrolled bleeding after scaling?
A. Send patient home and call dentist later
B. Document and continue treatment
C. Apply pressure, assess vitals, and notify dentist immediately
D. Ignore, assuming bleeding will stop
Rationale: Patient safety is paramount; immediate intervention and
communication with the dentist are required.
7. Which of the following substances is classified as a regulated medical waste
in Texas dental offices?
A. Saliva
B. Extracted teeth with amalgam
C. Empty fluoride trays
D. Used patient bibs
Rationale: Extracted teeth containing amalgam must be handled as regulated
waste due to mercury content.
8. A dental hygienist delegates coronal polishing to an unlicensed assistant.
According to Texas rules, this is:
A. Permitted under direct supervision
B. Not allowed
C. Allowed if dentist approves verbally
D. Allowed if the patient consents
Rationale: Coronal polishing is within the hygienist’s scope and cannot be
delegated to unlicensed personnel.
, 9. Which infection control practice is legally required for all dental procedures
in Texas?
A. Routine use of face shields only for surgical procedures
B. Hand hygiene only before patient care
C. Use of standard precautions for all patients
D. Autoclaving only instruments that touch bone
Rationale: Standard precautions must be applied universally to prevent disease
transmission.
10.A patient calls the dental office to report a lost dental crown. The dental
hygienist should:
A. Provide instructions and advise patient to monitor pain
B. Notify the dentist and schedule prompt evaluation
C. Attempt to recement the crown without supervision
D. Ignore, as it is not urgent
Rationale: The hygienist should recognize potential risk and ensure proper clinical
follow-up under the dentist’s direction.
11.Which of the following is an example of battery in dental practice?
A. Failing to document treatment
B. Performing treatment without patient consent
C. Prescribing the wrong toothpaste
D. Asking a patient to rinse
Rationale: Battery is any intentional treatment performed without consent.
EXAM ACTUAL PREP QUESTIONS AND WELL
REVISED ANSWERS - LATEST AND COMPLETE
UPDATE WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS –
ASSURES PASS
1. A dental hygienist in Texas may perform which of the following procedures
without direct supervision of a dentist?
A. Administering local anesthesia in all patients
B. Scaling and root planing under general supervision
C. Extraction of primary teeth
D. Prescribing systemic antibiotics
Rationale: In Texas, dental hygienists can perform scaling and root planing under
general supervision. Local anesthesia requires specific training and may require
direct supervision.
2. According to Texas law, how long must a dental hygienist retain patient
records after the last treatment?
A. 2 years
B. 5 years
C. 7 years
D. Indefinitely
Rationale: Texas law mandates retention of dental records for a minimum of 7
years after the last patient visit.
3. Which of the following best describes the ethical principle of
nonmaleficence in dental hygiene practice?
, A. Promoting patient autonomy
B. Ensuring equitable treatment
C. Avoiding harm to patients
D. Maximizing patient satisfaction
Rationale: Nonmaleficence requires the provider to avoid causing harm to patients
during care.
4. A patient refuses fluoride treatment. What is the dental hygienist’s best
course of action?
A. Force treatment for patient benefit
B. Document refusal and provide education
C. Ignore the refusal and proceed
D. Report the patient to the supervising dentist
Rationale: Patient autonomy must be respected. The hygienist should educate and
document the refusal.
5. When is it mandatory for a dental hygienist to report suspected child abuse
in Texas?
A. Only if the child has visible injuries
B. Immediately upon suspicion
C. After confirming abuse with a supervisor
D. Within 30 days
Rationale: Texas law requires dental professionals to report suspected abuse
immediately; confirmation is not required.
, 6. What is the correct action if a dental hygienist encounters a patient with
uncontrolled bleeding after scaling?
A. Send patient home and call dentist later
B. Document and continue treatment
C. Apply pressure, assess vitals, and notify dentist immediately
D. Ignore, assuming bleeding will stop
Rationale: Patient safety is paramount; immediate intervention and
communication with the dentist are required.
7. Which of the following substances is classified as a regulated medical waste
in Texas dental offices?
A. Saliva
B. Extracted teeth with amalgam
C. Empty fluoride trays
D. Used patient bibs
Rationale: Extracted teeth containing amalgam must be handled as regulated
waste due to mercury content.
8. A dental hygienist delegates coronal polishing to an unlicensed assistant.
According to Texas rules, this is:
A. Permitted under direct supervision
B. Not allowed
C. Allowed if dentist approves verbally
D. Allowed if the patient consents
Rationale: Coronal polishing is within the hygienist’s scope and cannot be
delegated to unlicensed personnel.
, 9. Which infection control practice is legally required for all dental procedures
in Texas?
A. Routine use of face shields only for surgical procedures
B. Hand hygiene only before patient care
C. Use of standard precautions for all patients
D. Autoclaving only instruments that touch bone
Rationale: Standard precautions must be applied universally to prevent disease
transmission.
10.A patient calls the dental office to report a lost dental crown. The dental
hygienist should:
A. Provide instructions and advise patient to monitor pain
B. Notify the dentist and schedule prompt evaluation
C. Attempt to recement the crown without supervision
D. Ignore, as it is not urgent
Rationale: The hygienist should recognize potential risk and ensure proper clinical
follow-up under the dentist’s direction.
11.Which of the following is an example of battery in dental practice?
A. Failing to document treatment
B. Performing treatment without patient consent
C. Prescribing the wrong toothpaste
D. Asking a patient to rinse
Rationale: Battery is any intentional treatment performed without consent.
