Indiana
DENTAL JURISPRUDENCE
Exam Elaborations Questions &
Answers
2026
, A dental assistant in Indiana is directed to perform a procedure involving irreversible enamel
reduction without proper supervision. Which legal issue is most directly implicated?
A. HIPAA violation
B. Scope of practice violation
C. OSHA breach
D. Billing fraud
Answer: B
Rationale: Indiana law restricts irreversible procedures to licensed dentists or properly authorized
personnel.
A dentist advertises “guaranteed lifetime cavity-free results” in a local campaign. Which ethical
issue is most clearly violated?
A. Informed consent
B. Truth in advertising
C. Employment contract law
D. Insurance compliance
Answer: B
Rationale: Guaranteeing outcomes is deceptive and prohibited in professional advertising.
True/False: In Indiana, patient dental records must typically be retained for at least seven years for
adults.
Answer: True
Rationale: State regulations require minimum retention for adult patient records.
Fill in the blank: The federal law that governs privacy and security of patient health information is
________.
Answer: HIPAA
Rationale: HIPAA regulates protected health information.
A dental hygienist discusses a patient’s diagnosis with a neighbor without authorization. This is a
violation of:
A. OSHA regulations
B. HIPAA confidentiality rules
C. Employment contract law
D. Insurance billing rules
Answer: B
Rationale: Unauthorized disclosure violates HIPAA.
True/False: Informed consent must be obtained before any dental procedure involving risk.
Answer: True
Rationale: Patients must understand risks, benefits, and alternatives.
Fill in the blank: The legal doctrine that holds employers responsible for employee actions
performed within job duties is ________.
Answer: Vicarious liability
Rationale: Employers are liable for employee negligence within scope of employment.
A dentist delegates local anesthesia administration to an untrained assistant. This violates:
A. OSHA standards
B. Scope of practice laws
C. Insurance billing rules
D. Employment agreements
Answer: B
Rationale: Only trained and authorized personnel may administer anesthesia.
True/False: Patients legally own their dental records in all states.
2
DENTAL JURISPRUDENCE
Exam Elaborations Questions &
Answers
2026
, A dental assistant in Indiana is directed to perform a procedure involving irreversible enamel
reduction without proper supervision. Which legal issue is most directly implicated?
A. HIPAA violation
B. Scope of practice violation
C. OSHA breach
D. Billing fraud
Answer: B
Rationale: Indiana law restricts irreversible procedures to licensed dentists or properly authorized
personnel.
A dentist advertises “guaranteed lifetime cavity-free results” in a local campaign. Which ethical
issue is most clearly violated?
A. Informed consent
B. Truth in advertising
C. Employment contract law
D. Insurance compliance
Answer: B
Rationale: Guaranteeing outcomes is deceptive and prohibited in professional advertising.
True/False: In Indiana, patient dental records must typically be retained for at least seven years for
adults.
Answer: True
Rationale: State regulations require minimum retention for adult patient records.
Fill in the blank: The federal law that governs privacy and security of patient health information is
________.
Answer: HIPAA
Rationale: HIPAA regulates protected health information.
A dental hygienist discusses a patient’s diagnosis with a neighbor without authorization. This is a
violation of:
A. OSHA regulations
B. HIPAA confidentiality rules
C. Employment contract law
D. Insurance billing rules
Answer: B
Rationale: Unauthorized disclosure violates HIPAA.
True/False: Informed consent must be obtained before any dental procedure involving risk.
Answer: True
Rationale: Patients must understand risks, benefits, and alternatives.
Fill in the blank: The legal doctrine that holds employers responsible for employee actions
performed within job duties is ________.
Answer: Vicarious liability
Rationale: Employers are liable for employee negligence within scope of employment.
A dentist delegates local anesthesia administration to an untrained assistant. This violates:
A. OSHA standards
B. Scope of practice laws
C. Insurance billing rules
D. Employment agreements
Answer: B
Rationale: Only trained and authorized personnel may administer anesthesia.
True/False: Patients legally own their dental records in all states.
2
