RDA Law and Ethics Exam| 94
questions| with complete solution
conditional duties of an RDA Correct Answer: a- remove excess cement with an ultrasonic scaler from
supragivgival surfaces of teeth undergoing ortho treatment
b- allowable duties of an ortho assistant permitholder
c- allowable duties of a dental sedation assistant permitholder
d- application of pit and fissure sealants
when can an RDA perform conditional duties? Correct Answer: only when they have completed a
board-approved educational program or when they can provide evidence on completing a board-
approved course in the specific subject
what evidence does an RDA need to provide to accompany their first license renewal (regarding
conditional duties)? Correct Answer: evidence of completion of a board-approved pit and fissure
sealants course; if not, license will be suspended
what duties may a DA/RDA/RDAEF perform while working for/at a primary care clinic or specialty clinic?
Correct Answer: any extraoral duty, coronal polish, topical fluoride application, pit and fissure sealants
(if course completed) when under Direct Supervision of RDH/RDHAP
dental auxillary Correct Answer: a person who may perform dental supportive procedures under
specified supervision of a licensed DDS
dental assistant Correct Answer: unlicensed person who may perform basic supportive procedures
under the supervision of a DDS
registered dental assistant Correct Answer: a licensed person who may perform all authorized
procedures in addition to all basic supportive procedures a DA may perform
direct supervision Correct Answer: supervision of dental procedures based of DDS instruction and the
DDS being physically present in treatment facility during the specified procedure
general supervision Correct Answer: supervision of dental procedures based on DDS instruction but
where DDS must not be physically present during time of specified procedure
basic supportive dental procedures Correct Answer: dental procedures categorized by their technically
elementary characteristics, complete reversibility and inability to create potentially hazardous
conditions for the PT
continuing education Correct Answer: a condition of license renewal, the submission if evidence of an
RDA/RDH/DDS continuing to stay educated on new and improving developments in the practice of
dentistry, as well as reviewing infection control procedures, dental law, and BLS
, how much of an RDAs contiuing education can the Board dictate? Correct Answer: 7.5 hrs in the general
areas of PT care, health and safety, and law and ethics
(for DDS, 15 hrs)
how many hours of continuing education does an RDA need to complete for each renewal? Correct
Answer: 25 hours, with 2hrs Infection Control, 2 hrs Dental Practice Act, a BLS course (no more that 4
hours)
standard precautions Correct Answer: a group of infection control and prevention practices that apply
to all PTs equally, including the use of PPE, safe handling of sharps
critical vs. semi-critical vs. non-critical items Correct Answer: critical - penetrates bone and soft tissue,
highest potential for disease transmission
semi-critical - touches oral mucosa or non-intact skin but not penetrating soft tissue or bone
non-critical - items used in PT care but not oral mucosa membranes, much lower risk of transmission
levels of disinfection Correct Answer: low - kills some bacteria, microorganisms, viruses but not Tb or
spores
intermediate - kills Tb, but not necessarily spores
high - kills Tb and some spores, but not guaranteed to kill all spores
germicide Correct Answer: chemical agent used to disinfect items/surfaces based on level of
contamination
sterilization Correct Answer: validated process of rendering ALL viable forms of microorganisms inactive
(kills all spores)
PPE Correct Answer: specialized clothing or equipment used to protect against a hazard (general work
attire NOT included)
OPIM Correct Answer: other potentially infectious materials (bodily fluids form humans, testing
animals, and fluid/tissue/organ potentially infected with a BBP)
DHCP Correct Answer: dental healthcare professional - all paid or non-paid personnel in dental
healthcare setting who my be occupationally exposed to infectious materials
regulations regarding Infection Control Procedures Correct Answer: a- standard precautions practiced
with all PTs
b- written protocol shall be developed and made available to all employees regarding instrument
processing, operatory cleanliness, and management of injuries
c- a copy shall be posted in a visible spot in office
d- PPE worn during all procedures involving hazardous chemicals or handling contaminated items
Hand washing Correct Answer: a- with soap and water and start and end of day and when visibly soiled
between PTs
b- when not visibly soiled, an alcohol-based hand rub may be used
c-hands must be thoroughly dried before putting on gloves
questions| with complete solution
conditional duties of an RDA Correct Answer: a- remove excess cement with an ultrasonic scaler from
supragivgival surfaces of teeth undergoing ortho treatment
b- allowable duties of an ortho assistant permitholder
c- allowable duties of a dental sedation assistant permitholder
d- application of pit and fissure sealants
when can an RDA perform conditional duties? Correct Answer: only when they have completed a
board-approved educational program or when they can provide evidence on completing a board-
approved course in the specific subject
what evidence does an RDA need to provide to accompany their first license renewal (regarding
conditional duties)? Correct Answer: evidence of completion of a board-approved pit and fissure
sealants course; if not, license will be suspended
what duties may a DA/RDA/RDAEF perform while working for/at a primary care clinic or specialty clinic?
Correct Answer: any extraoral duty, coronal polish, topical fluoride application, pit and fissure sealants
(if course completed) when under Direct Supervision of RDH/RDHAP
dental auxillary Correct Answer: a person who may perform dental supportive procedures under
specified supervision of a licensed DDS
dental assistant Correct Answer: unlicensed person who may perform basic supportive procedures
under the supervision of a DDS
registered dental assistant Correct Answer: a licensed person who may perform all authorized
procedures in addition to all basic supportive procedures a DA may perform
direct supervision Correct Answer: supervision of dental procedures based of DDS instruction and the
DDS being physically present in treatment facility during the specified procedure
general supervision Correct Answer: supervision of dental procedures based on DDS instruction but
where DDS must not be physically present during time of specified procedure
basic supportive dental procedures Correct Answer: dental procedures categorized by their technically
elementary characteristics, complete reversibility and inability to create potentially hazardous
conditions for the PT
continuing education Correct Answer: a condition of license renewal, the submission if evidence of an
RDA/RDH/DDS continuing to stay educated on new and improving developments in the practice of
dentistry, as well as reviewing infection control procedures, dental law, and BLS
, how much of an RDAs contiuing education can the Board dictate? Correct Answer: 7.5 hrs in the general
areas of PT care, health and safety, and law and ethics
(for DDS, 15 hrs)
how many hours of continuing education does an RDA need to complete for each renewal? Correct
Answer: 25 hours, with 2hrs Infection Control, 2 hrs Dental Practice Act, a BLS course (no more that 4
hours)
standard precautions Correct Answer: a group of infection control and prevention practices that apply
to all PTs equally, including the use of PPE, safe handling of sharps
critical vs. semi-critical vs. non-critical items Correct Answer: critical - penetrates bone and soft tissue,
highest potential for disease transmission
semi-critical - touches oral mucosa or non-intact skin but not penetrating soft tissue or bone
non-critical - items used in PT care but not oral mucosa membranes, much lower risk of transmission
levels of disinfection Correct Answer: low - kills some bacteria, microorganisms, viruses but not Tb or
spores
intermediate - kills Tb, but not necessarily spores
high - kills Tb and some spores, but not guaranteed to kill all spores
germicide Correct Answer: chemical agent used to disinfect items/surfaces based on level of
contamination
sterilization Correct Answer: validated process of rendering ALL viable forms of microorganisms inactive
(kills all spores)
PPE Correct Answer: specialized clothing or equipment used to protect against a hazard (general work
attire NOT included)
OPIM Correct Answer: other potentially infectious materials (bodily fluids form humans, testing
animals, and fluid/tissue/organ potentially infected with a BBP)
DHCP Correct Answer: dental healthcare professional - all paid or non-paid personnel in dental
healthcare setting who my be occupationally exposed to infectious materials
regulations regarding Infection Control Procedures Correct Answer: a- standard precautions practiced
with all PTs
b- written protocol shall be developed and made available to all employees regarding instrument
processing, operatory cleanliness, and management of injuries
c- a copy shall be posted in a visible spot in office
d- PPE worn during all procedures involving hazardous chemicals or handling contaminated items
Hand washing Correct Answer: a- with soap and water and start and end of day and when visibly soiled
between PTs
b- when not visibly soiled, an alcohol-based hand rub may be used
c-hands must be thoroughly dried before putting on gloves
