RDH LAW & ETHICS EXAM 2026 – PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS STUDY
GUIDE
• This study guide contains 100 practice questions covering the core domains of
RDH Law & Ethics, each with verified answers and detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to
reinforce your understanding. • Use this material by reading each question carefully
before looking at the correct answer, then study the EXPERT RATIONALE to
understand the "why" behind every choice.
RDH LAW & ETHICS EXAM 2026 – PRACTICE QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. The primary purpose of a Dental Practice Act is to:
A. Set fee schedules for dental services
B. Regulate the manufacturing of dental equipment
C. Establish educational standards for dental schools
D. Protect the public by regulating the practice of dentistry and dental
hygiene
E. Determine insurance reimbursement rates
Correct Answer: D. Protect the public by regulating the practice of
dentistry and dental hygiene
EXPERT RATIONALE: Dental Practice Acts are state laws enacted to safeguard
the public by defining who may legally practice, under what conditions, and what
actions constitute violations. Public protection is the foundational purpose.
2. Which body is typically responsible for enforcing the Dental Practice Act in
a given state?
A. The American Dental Association (ADA)
,B. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
C. The Department of Education
D. The State Board of Dentistry
E. The American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA)
Correct Answer: D. The State Board of Dentistry
EXPERT RATIONALE: Each state has a Board of Dentistry (or similar regulatory
body) that enforces the Dental Practice Act, issues licenses, investigates complaints,
and disciplines violators.
3. Which type of supervision requires the dentist to be physically present in
the office while the dental hygienist performs a procedure?
A. General supervision
B. Indirect supervision
C. Direct supervision
D. Personal supervision
E. Remote supervision
Correct Answer: C. Direct supervision
EXPERT RATIONALE: Direct supervision means the dentist is physically present
in the facility, has authorized the procedure, and is available to evaluate the patient
during and after the service.
4. Under general supervision, the dental hygienist may:
A. Perform procedures only while the dentist watches
B. Perform procedures only in a hospital setting
C. Perform procedures without the dentist being physically present, following
prior authorization
,D. Perform any procedure deemed necessary without restriction
E. Perform only radiographs and nothing else
Correct Answer: C. Perform procedures without the dentist being
physically present, following prior authorization
EXPERT RATIONALE: General supervision allows the hygienist to perform
services based on a prior examination by and authorization from a dentist, without
the dentist needing to be on-site.
5. The ethical principle of "do no harm" is best described as:
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
C. Veracity
D. Nonmaleficence
E. Beneficence
Correct Answer: D. Nonmaleficence
EXPERT RATIONALE: Nonmaleficence is the obligation to avoid causing harm to
the patient. It is one of the foundational principles of biomedical ethics and dental
hygiene practice.
6. A dental hygienist who acts in the best interest of the patient is
demonstrating:
A. Nonmaleficence
B. Justice
C. Beneficence
D. Fidelity
E. Autonomy
, Correct Answer: C. Beneficence
EXPERT RATIONALE: Beneficence means acting in ways that promote the
patient's well-being and best interest. It goes beyond simply avoiding harm to
actively doing good.
7. Which ethical principle is violated when a dental hygienist performs a
procedure without obtaining the patient's consent?
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
C. Veracity
D. Fidelity
E. Beneficence
Correct Answer: A. Autonomy
EXPERT RATIONALE: Autonomy is the patient's right to make informed decisions
about their own care. Performing a procedure without consent violates this right.
8. Informed consent must include all of the following EXCEPT:
A. The nature of the proposed treatment
B. The risks and benefits of the treatment
C. Available alternatives
D. The cost of the dentist's malpractice insurance
E. The consequences of refusing treatment
Correct Answer: D. The cost of the dentist's malpractice insurance
EXPERT RATIONALE: Informed consent requires the patient be told about the
procedure, its risks, benefits, alternatives, and consequences of refusal. Insurance
costs are not part of informed consent.
QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS STUDY
GUIDE
• This study guide contains 100 practice questions covering the core domains of
RDH Law & Ethics, each with verified answers and detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to
reinforce your understanding. • Use this material by reading each question carefully
before looking at the correct answer, then study the EXPERT RATIONALE to
understand the "why" behind every choice.
RDH LAW & ETHICS EXAM 2026 – PRACTICE QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. The primary purpose of a Dental Practice Act is to:
A. Set fee schedules for dental services
B. Regulate the manufacturing of dental equipment
C. Establish educational standards for dental schools
D. Protect the public by regulating the practice of dentistry and dental
hygiene
E. Determine insurance reimbursement rates
Correct Answer: D. Protect the public by regulating the practice of
dentistry and dental hygiene
EXPERT RATIONALE: Dental Practice Acts are state laws enacted to safeguard
the public by defining who may legally practice, under what conditions, and what
actions constitute violations. Public protection is the foundational purpose.
2. Which body is typically responsible for enforcing the Dental Practice Act in
a given state?
A. The American Dental Association (ADA)
,B. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
C. The Department of Education
D. The State Board of Dentistry
E. The American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA)
Correct Answer: D. The State Board of Dentistry
EXPERT RATIONALE: Each state has a Board of Dentistry (or similar regulatory
body) that enforces the Dental Practice Act, issues licenses, investigates complaints,
and disciplines violators.
3. Which type of supervision requires the dentist to be physically present in
the office while the dental hygienist performs a procedure?
A. General supervision
B. Indirect supervision
C. Direct supervision
D. Personal supervision
E. Remote supervision
Correct Answer: C. Direct supervision
EXPERT RATIONALE: Direct supervision means the dentist is physically present
in the facility, has authorized the procedure, and is available to evaluate the patient
during and after the service.
4. Under general supervision, the dental hygienist may:
A. Perform procedures only while the dentist watches
B. Perform procedures only in a hospital setting
C. Perform procedures without the dentist being physically present, following
prior authorization
,D. Perform any procedure deemed necessary without restriction
E. Perform only radiographs and nothing else
Correct Answer: C. Perform procedures without the dentist being
physically present, following prior authorization
EXPERT RATIONALE: General supervision allows the hygienist to perform
services based on a prior examination by and authorization from a dentist, without
the dentist needing to be on-site.
5. The ethical principle of "do no harm" is best described as:
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
C. Veracity
D. Nonmaleficence
E. Beneficence
Correct Answer: D. Nonmaleficence
EXPERT RATIONALE: Nonmaleficence is the obligation to avoid causing harm to
the patient. It is one of the foundational principles of biomedical ethics and dental
hygiene practice.
6. A dental hygienist who acts in the best interest of the patient is
demonstrating:
A. Nonmaleficence
B. Justice
C. Beneficence
D. Fidelity
E. Autonomy
, Correct Answer: C. Beneficence
EXPERT RATIONALE: Beneficence means acting in ways that promote the
patient's well-being and best interest. It goes beyond simply avoiding harm to
actively doing good.
7. Which ethical principle is violated when a dental hygienist performs a
procedure without obtaining the patient's consent?
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
C. Veracity
D. Fidelity
E. Beneficence
Correct Answer: A. Autonomy
EXPERT RATIONALE: Autonomy is the patient's right to make informed decisions
about their own care. Performing a procedure without consent violates this right.
8. Informed consent must include all of the following EXCEPT:
A. The nature of the proposed treatment
B. The risks and benefits of the treatment
C. Available alternatives
D. The cost of the dentist's malpractice insurance
E. The consequences of refusing treatment
Correct Answer: D. The cost of the dentist's malpractice insurance
EXPERT RATIONALE: Informed consent requires the patient be told about the
procedure, its risks, benefits, alternatives, and consequences of refusal. Insurance
costs are not part of informed consent.
