Page 1 of 140
RDH Law and Ethics exam ALL QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR
1. The primary legal authority that defines the scope of
practice for a Registered Dental Hygienist is the:
A) ADHA Code of Ethics
B) State Dental Practice Act
C) OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
D) CDC Guidelines
Answer: B
Rationale: The State Dental Practice Act is the law that legally
defines the scope of practice, supervision levels, and duties for
dental hygienists in that specific state.
2. A dental hygienist who performs a procedure that is not
allowed by the state’s Dental Practice Act could be charged
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with:
A) Malpractice
B) Unlicensed practice of dentistry
C) Res ipsa loquitur
D) Vicarious liability
Answer: B
Rationale: Practicing beyond the legal scope is considered the
unlicensed practice of dentistry, even if the hygienist holds a
license, because the license does not grant permission for acts
outside the defined scope.
3. Scenario: A hygienist in a general practice notices the
dentist routinely delegating the final diagnosis of caries to the
hygienist. The hygienist should:
A) Accept the delegation as a sign of trust
B) Refuse to diagnose and remind the dentist that diagnosis is the
dentist's legal responsibility
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C) Diagnose only if the patient is not high-risk
D) Document the diagnosis in the chart but not tell the patient
Answer: B
Rationale: Diagnosis of dental disease is the practice of
dentistry and cannot be legally delegated to a hygienist in most
states. The hygienist has an ethical and legal duty to refuse and
educate.
4. The term "direct supervision" typically means the dentist is:
A) In the building but not necessarily present in the operatory
B) Available by phone
C) Physically present in the treatment room during all procedures
D) In the office suite and has authorized the procedure
Answer: C
Rationale: Direct supervision requires the dentist to be physically
present in the operatory to examine, diagnose, and approve the
work prior to and during the procedure.
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5. Which of the following is an example of "general
supervision"?
A) Hygienist performing SRP while dentist is across the room
B) Hygienist performing prophylaxis at a nursing home after the
dentist has examined the patient within the last 12 months
C) Hygienist administering local anesthesia without any prior
exam
D) Hygienist placing a restoration
Answer: B
Rationale: General supervision (or indirect supervision) means
the dentist has authorized the procedure and is available, but
not necessarily present. Off-site care like nursing homes often
falls under this.
6. A dental hygiene license must be renewed periodically.
Failure to renew results in:
A) Automatic probation
RDH Law and Ethics exam ALL QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR
1. The primary legal authority that defines the scope of
practice for a Registered Dental Hygienist is the:
A) ADHA Code of Ethics
B) State Dental Practice Act
C) OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
D) CDC Guidelines
Answer: B
Rationale: The State Dental Practice Act is the law that legally
defines the scope of practice, supervision levels, and duties for
dental hygienists in that specific state.
2. A dental hygienist who performs a procedure that is not
allowed by the state’s Dental Practice Act could be charged
,Page 2 of 140
with:
A) Malpractice
B) Unlicensed practice of dentistry
C) Res ipsa loquitur
D) Vicarious liability
Answer: B
Rationale: Practicing beyond the legal scope is considered the
unlicensed practice of dentistry, even if the hygienist holds a
license, because the license does not grant permission for acts
outside the defined scope.
3. Scenario: A hygienist in a general practice notices the
dentist routinely delegating the final diagnosis of caries to the
hygienist. The hygienist should:
A) Accept the delegation as a sign of trust
B) Refuse to diagnose and remind the dentist that diagnosis is the
dentist's legal responsibility
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C) Diagnose only if the patient is not high-risk
D) Document the diagnosis in the chart but not tell the patient
Answer: B
Rationale: Diagnosis of dental disease is the practice of
dentistry and cannot be legally delegated to a hygienist in most
states. The hygienist has an ethical and legal duty to refuse and
educate.
4. The term "direct supervision" typically means the dentist is:
A) In the building but not necessarily present in the operatory
B) Available by phone
C) Physically present in the treatment room during all procedures
D) In the office suite and has authorized the procedure
Answer: C
Rationale: Direct supervision requires the dentist to be physically
present in the operatory to examine, diagnose, and approve the
work prior to and during the procedure.
, Page 4 of 140
5. Which of the following is an example of "general
supervision"?
A) Hygienist performing SRP while dentist is across the room
B) Hygienist performing prophylaxis at a nursing home after the
dentist has examined the patient within the last 12 months
C) Hygienist administering local anesthesia without any prior
exam
D) Hygienist placing a restoration
Answer: B
Rationale: General supervision (or indirect supervision) means
the dentist has authorized the procedure and is available, but
not necessarily present. Off-site care like nursing homes often
falls under this.
6. A dental hygiene license must be renewed periodically.
Failure to renew results in:
A) Automatic probation
