Delaware
DENTAL JURISPRUDENCE
Exam Elaborations Questions &
Answers
2026
, A Delaware dental assistant is instructed to perform coronal polishing on a patient with untreated
periodontal disease beyond allowable supervision. Which issue is most directly implicated?
A. Billing compliance
B. Scope of practice violation
C. HIPAA breach
D. OSHA violation
Answer: B
Rationale: Delaware law restricts certain procedures to appropriately trained and supervised
personnel; exceeding scope violates licensure rules.
A dentist advertises “guaranteed permanent whitening results for life” on social media. Which
ethical principle is most clearly violated?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Truth in advertising
D. Autonomy
Answer: C
Rationale: Dental advertising must not guarantee outcomes or mislead patients.
True/False: In Delaware, dental records are generally required to be retained for at least seven
years for adult patients.
Answer: True
Rationale: State regulations require minimum retention periods for adult records.
Fill in the blank: The federal law that protects patient health information privacy is ________.
Answer: HIPAA
Rationale: HIPAA regulates confidentiality and security of protected health information.
A dental hygienist shares a patient’s diagnosis with a friend outside the clinic without
authorization. This is a violation of:
A. OSHA regulations
B. HIPAA privacy rules
C. Employment contract law
D. Insurance billing rules
Answer: B
Rationale: Unauthorized disclosure of PHI violates HIPAA.
True/False: Informed consent must be obtained before initiating irreversible dental procedures.
Answer: True
Rationale: Patients must understand risks, benefits, and alternatives before treatment.
Fill in the blank: The legal principle that holds an employer responsible for employee actions
within the scope of employment is ________.
Answer: Vicarious liability
Rationale: Employers may be legally liable for employee negligence.
A dentist delegates local anesthesia administration to an unlicensed assistant. This violates:
A. OSHA standards
2
DENTAL JURISPRUDENCE
Exam Elaborations Questions &
Answers
2026
, A Delaware dental assistant is instructed to perform coronal polishing on a patient with untreated
periodontal disease beyond allowable supervision. Which issue is most directly implicated?
A. Billing compliance
B. Scope of practice violation
C. HIPAA breach
D. OSHA violation
Answer: B
Rationale: Delaware law restricts certain procedures to appropriately trained and supervised
personnel; exceeding scope violates licensure rules.
A dentist advertises “guaranteed permanent whitening results for life” on social media. Which
ethical principle is most clearly violated?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Truth in advertising
D. Autonomy
Answer: C
Rationale: Dental advertising must not guarantee outcomes or mislead patients.
True/False: In Delaware, dental records are generally required to be retained for at least seven
years for adult patients.
Answer: True
Rationale: State regulations require minimum retention periods for adult records.
Fill in the blank: The federal law that protects patient health information privacy is ________.
Answer: HIPAA
Rationale: HIPAA regulates confidentiality and security of protected health information.
A dental hygienist shares a patient’s diagnosis with a friend outside the clinic without
authorization. This is a violation of:
A. OSHA regulations
B. HIPAA privacy rules
C. Employment contract law
D. Insurance billing rules
Answer: B
Rationale: Unauthorized disclosure of PHI violates HIPAA.
True/False: Informed consent must be obtained before initiating irreversible dental procedures.
Answer: True
Rationale: Patients must understand risks, benefits, and alternatives before treatment.
Fill in the blank: The legal principle that holds an employer responsible for employee actions
within the scope of employment is ________.
Answer: Vicarious liability
Rationale: Employers may be legally liable for employee negligence.
A dentist delegates local anesthesia administration to an unlicensed assistant. This violates:
A. OSHA standards
2
