CALIFORNIA RDA LAW & ETHICS
COMPREHENSIVE TEST PAPER 2026
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
EXPERT VERIFIED GRADED A+
◉ Nolo Contendere. Answer: Legal term that comes from the Latin
for "I do not wish to contend". It is also referred to as a plea "no
contest"; it is a plea where the defendant neither admits nor
disputes a charge, serving as an alternative to a pleading of guilt or
not guilty.
◉ Licensure Categories (Auxiliaries). Answer: DA- unlicensed dental
assistant
RDA- registered dental assistant
OAP- orthodontic assistance permit holder
DSAP- dental sedation assistance permit holder
RDAEF- registered dental assisting in extended functions
,RDH- registered dental hygienist
RDHEF- registered dental hygienist in extended functions
RDHAP- registered dental hygienist in alternative practice
◉ Impaired Professional. Answer: A professional healthcare
provider who is no longer able to perform fiction in a professional
capacity and with competence; may be impaired by drugs or alcohol.
◉ Implied consent. Answer: By nature of being present in the
treatment facility, it is implied that the patient is seeking treatment;
a dentist may not communicate the full details of the treatment plan
- therfore treatment may being with implied consent without
agreeing in writing or verbally.
◉ Statue. Answer: Otherwise known as laws, established by the
legislature in misdemeanor or felony if violated; dental assisting
duties are in statue.
◉ Direct supervision. Answer: A licensed dentist must be physically
present in the treatment facility during the performance of the
function; the function must be checked and approved by the
supervising dentist prior to dismissal of the patient from the office.
,◉ Discrimination. Answer: Treatment or consideration placed on
class or category rather than individual merit; treating persons
differently based in their physical, mental or emotional state, race or
gender.
◉ General supervision. Answer: Does not require the physical
presence of the dentist during the performance not those
procedures based on instructions given by the supervising dentist.
◉ Implied. Answer: A term used when data or knowledge is not
specifically stated verbally or in writing; and inferred statement
◉ Informed consent. Answer: The act of providing information,
verbally or in writing, to and ensuring the understanding of the
patient, as to the nature of proposed treatment, financial
responsibilities, potential risks, options for treatment, potential
outcomes, and impact on the patients physical and oral health.
◉ Negligence. Answer: Failure to exercise the degree of care
considered reasonable under the circumstances resulting in an
unintended injury to a patient; lack of reasonable and prudent care
of a patient in healthcare setting.
◉ Nonmaleficence. Answer: The principle of "doing no harm" a state
of non-injury to a patient during the provision of dental care
services.
, ◉ Licensee/licentiate. Answer: A term used to describe a person
holding or being issued a license to perform a function or a degree to
perform certain tasks.
◉ Malpractice. Answer: Improper or negligent treatment of a patient
resulting in injury, damage or loss and without reference to ethical
standards.
◉ Harassment. Answer: The act of annoying or threatening a
person; the act of repeatedly tormenting or persistently irritating.
◉ Scope of practice. Answer: The range of duties and functions
legally allowable under the defined area's of providership such as
type of license, permit or certificate held; set forth by the state of
dental practice act and the laws of the state.
◉ Regulation. Answer: A principle, rule or law designed to control or
govern conduct; a set of standards, established by the dental board
of California when if violated may result in citation and fine against
the dental healthcare worker.
◉ Revocation. Answer: The act of recall or annulment; to nullify; the
reversal of an act, the recalling of a grant, making something void.
COMPREHENSIVE TEST PAPER 2026
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
EXPERT VERIFIED GRADED A+
◉ Nolo Contendere. Answer: Legal term that comes from the Latin
for "I do not wish to contend". It is also referred to as a plea "no
contest"; it is a plea where the defendant neither admits nor
disputes a charge, serving as an alternative to a pleading of guilt or
not guilty.
◉ Licensure Categories (Auxiliaries). Answer: DA- unlicensed dental
assistant
RDA- registered dental assistant
OAP- orthodontic assistance permit holder
DSAP- dental sedation assistance permit holder
RDAEF- registered dental assisting in extended functions
,RDH- registered dental hygienist
RDHEF- registered dental hygienist in extended functions
RDHAP- registered dental hygienist in alternative practice
◉ Impaired Professional. Answer: A professional healthcare
provider who is no longer able to perform fiction in a professional
capacity and with competence; may be impaired by drugs or alcohol.
◉ Implied consent. Answer: By nature of being present in the
treatment facility, it is implied that the patient is seeking treatment;
a dentist may not communicate the full details of the treatment plan
- therfore treatment may being with implied consent without
agreeing in writing or verbally.
◉ Statue. Answer: Otherwise known as laws, established by the
legislature in misdemeanor or felony if violated; dental assisting
duties are in statue.
◉ Direct supervision. Answer: A licensed dentist must be physically
present in the treatment facility during the performance of the
function; the function must be checked and approved by the
supervising dentist prior to dismissal of the patient from the office.
,◉ Discrimination. Answer: Treatment or consideration placed on
class or category rather than individual merit; treating persons
differently based in their physical, mental or emotional state, race or
gender.
◉ General supervision. Answer: Does not require the physical
presence of the dentist during the performance not those
procedures based on instructions given by the supervising dentist.
◉ Implied. Answer: A term used when data or knowledge is not
specifically stated verbally or in writing; and inferred statement
◉ Informed consent. Answer: The act of providing information,
verbally or in writing, to and ensuring the understanding of the
patient, as to the nature of proposed treatment, financial
responsibilities, potential risks, options for treatment, potential
outcomes, and impact on the patients physical and oral health.
◉ Negligence. Answer: Failure to exercise the degree of care
considered reasonable under the circumstances resulting in an
unintended injury to a patient; lack of reasonable and prudent care
of a patient in healthcare setting.
◉ Nonmaleficence. Answer: The principle of "doing no harm" a state
of non-injury to a patient during the provision of dental care
services.
, ◉ Licensee/licentiate. Answer: A term used to describe a person
holding or being issued a license to perform a function or a degree to
perform certain tasks.
◉ Malpractice. Answer: Improper or negligent treatment of a patient
resulting in injury, damage or loss and without reference to ethical
standards.
◉ Harassment. Answer: The act of annoying or threatening a
person; the act of repeatedly tormenting or persistently irritating.
◉ Scope of practice. Answer: The range of duties and functions
legally allowable under the defined area's of providership such as
type of license, permit or certificate held; set forth by the state of
dental practice act and the laws of the state.
◉ Regulation. Answer: A principle, rule or law designed to control or
govern conduct; a set of standards, established by the dental board
of California when if violated may result in citation and fine against
the dental healthcare worker.
◉ Revocation. Answer: The act of recall or annulment; to nullify; the
reversal of an act, the recalling of a grant, making something void.
