Texas
DENTAL JURISPRUDENCE
Exam Elaborations Questions &
Answers
2026
, A Texas dental assistant observes a dentist delegating irreversible procedures to an unlicensed
individual. Which principle is most directly violated?
A. Delegation authority
B. Scope of practice regulations
C. Fee splitting rules
D. OSHA compliance
Answer: B
Rationale: Texas law strictly limits dental procedures to licensed individuals within their scope of
practice.
A dentist advertises “guaranteed painless extractions” in a local newspaper. Which ethical issue is
most likely present?
A. Informed consent violation
B. False or misleading advertising
C. HIPAA violation
D. Billing fraud
Answer: B
Rationale: Claims of guaranteed outcomes are considered deceptive advertising.
True/False: In Texas, patient records must be retained for a minimum of five years for adults.
Answer: True
Rationale: Texas requires retention of adult dental records for at least five years.
Fill in the blank: The federal law that protects patient health information privacy is the ________.
Answer: HIPAA
Rationale: HIPAA governs confidentiality and security of health data.
A dental hygienist shares a patient’s treatment details with a friend outside the clinic. This is a
violation of:
A. OSHA regulations
B. Patient confidentiality laws
C. Employment contract law
D. Billing regulations
Answer: B
Rationale: Unauthorized disclosure breaches HIPAA confidentiality rules.
True/False: Informed consent must be obtained before initiating any dental procedure.
Answer: True
Rationale: Patients must understand risks, benefits, and alternatives.
Fill in the blank: The legal doctrine that holds employers responsible for employee actions within
scope of employment is ________.
Answer: Vicarious liability
Rationale: Employers may be liable for employees’ negligent acts.
A Texas dentist delegates radiographic exposure to an untrained assistant. This violates:
A. Radiation safety standards
B. OSHA recordkeeping rules
2
DENTAL JURISPRUDENCE
Exam Elaborations Questions &
Answers
2026
, A Texas dental assistant observes a dentist delegating irreversible procedures to an unlicensed
individual. Which principle is most directly violated?
A. Delegation authority
B. Scope of practice regulations
C. Fee splitting rules
D. OSHA compliance
Answer: B
Rationale: Texas law strictly limits dental procedures to licensed individuals within their scope of
practice.
A dentist advertises “guaranteed painless extractions” in a local newspaper. Which ethical issue is
most likely present?
A. Informed consent violation
B. False or misleading advertising
C. HIPAA violation
D. Billing fraud
Answer: B
Rationale: Claims of guaranteed outcomes are considered deceptive advertising.
True/False: In Texas, patient records must be retained for a minimum of five years for adults.
Answer: True
Rationale: Texas requires retention of adult dental records for at least five years.
Fill in the blank: The federal law that protects patient health information privacy is the ________.
Answer: HIPAA
Rationale: HIPAA governs confidentiality and security of health data.
A dental hygienist shares a patient’s treatment details with a friend outside the clinic. This is a
violation of:
A. OSHA regulations
B. Patient confidentiality laws
C. Employment contract law
D. Billing regulations
Answer: B
Rationale: Unauthorized disclosure breaches HIPAA confidentiality rules.
True/False: Informed consent must be obtained before initiating any dental procedure.
Answer: True
Rationale: Patients must understand risks, benefits, and alternatives.
Fill in the blank: The legal doctrine that holds employers responsible for employee actions within
scope of employment is ________.
Answer: Vicarious liability
Rationale: Employers may be liable for employees’ negligent acts.
A Texas dentist delegates radiographic exposure to an untrained assistant. This violates:
A. Radiation safety standards
B. OSHA recordkeeping rules
2
