NORTH CAROLINA DENTAL BOARD EXAM PREP QUESTIONS
ON DENTAL LAWS & INFECTION CONTROL WITH ANSWERS
AND RATIONALES
1. A dentist in North Carolina delegates coronal polishing to a registered dental
assistant (RDA). Which statement is true?
A) The RDA must have a certificate in coronal polishing from an ADA-accredited
program and the dentist must be present in the facility
B) Only a hygienist can polish coronal surfaces
C) No certification is needed if the dentist is in the same room
D) The RDA can polish if they have completed a 2-hour online course
[CORRECT] A
Rationale: NC dental board rules allow RDAs to perform coronal polishing only
after completing a board-approved course and passing an exam; dentist must be
on premises.
2. The CDC recommends that a surface barrier should be changed:
A) Every 4 hours
B) After every patient
C) Once per day
D) Only when visibly contaminated
[CORRECT] B
Rationale: Barriers must be changed after each patient because they are
considered single-use to prevent cross-contamination.
3. Under NC law, a dentist’s maximum controlled substance prescribing limit for
Schedule II opioids for minor post-surgical pain (adult patient) is:
,A) 5-day supply
B) 7-day supply
C) 10-day supply
D) No limit for post-surgical pain
[CORRECT] A
*Rationale: NC Stop Act limits initial Schedule II opioid prescriptions for acute pain
to a 5-day supply (or 7 days post-surgery, but for minor surgical pain in adults, 5
days is standard unless special circumstances documented).*
4. A dental assistant who is not registered or certified may legally perform which
task in NC?
A) Place and remove rubber dam
B) Take radiographs
C) Irrigate surgical site with sterile saline
D) Adjust a denture intraorally
[CORRECT] A
Rationale: Uncertified assistants can place rubber dam but not take radiographs
(requires certification) or adjust dentures intraorally (irreversible procedure).
5. The correct order for donning PPE for a surgical procedure is:
A) Mask, gown, gloves, eye protection
B) Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves
C) Gloves, mask, gown, eye protection
D) Eye protection, gloves, gown, mask
[CORRECT] B
Rationale: Gown first, then mask, eye protection, then gloves to maintain sterile
field and minimize contamination.
,6. Which of the following best describes “informed consent” under NC law?
A) A signed waiver of liability
B) Patient agrees after being told risks, benefits, alternatives
C) Nurse explains the procedure
D) Patient signs a general consent form on first visit
[CORRECT] B
Rationale: Informed consent requires explanation of risks, benefits, alternatives,
and the patient’s agreement without coercion.
7. A dental hygienist in NC wishes to administer local anesthesia. What is
required?
A) Certification from the NC Dental Board
B) Prescriptive authority from a supervising dentist
C) An expanded duty certificate after 1 year of practice
D) Hygienists cannot give local anesthesia in NC
[CORRECT] A
Rationale: NC requires hygienists to complete a board-approved local anesthesia
course and hold a permit.
8. Which solution is an intermediate-level disinfectant approved for clinical
contact surfaces?
A) Sodium hypochlorite 1:10 dilution
B) Ethyl alcohol 70%
C) Glutaraldehyde
D) Quaternary ammonium compounds with alcohol
[CORRECT] D
Rationale: Intermediate-level disinfectants (EPA-registered hospital disinfectants
with tuberculocidal claim) include certain quaternary ammonium compounds with
alcohol.
, 9. How often must a NC-licensed dentist renew their license?
A) Every year
B) Every 2 years
C) Every 3 years
D) Every 5 years
[CORRECT] B
Rationale: NC dental licenses renew biennially (every 2 years) with continuing
education required.
10. A patient’s dental radiographs are requested by another dentist. Under NC
law, the original dentist must:
A) Require a subpoena
B) Send copies, may charge a reasonable fee
C) Refuse to protect privacy
D) Only send if the patient signs a release within 30 days
[CORRECT] B
Rationale: NC law permits release of copies to another dentist upon patient
request; reasonable copying fee allowed.
11. A spore test (biological indicator) for a steam sterilizer should be run:
A) Weekly
B) Monthly
C) After each load
D) At least weekly, and every load with implants
[CORRECT] D
Rationale: CDC and NC rules recommend weekly spore testing, but for implants,
run with each load.
ON DENTAL LAWS & INFECTION CONTROL WITH ANSWERS
AND RATIONALES
1. A dentist in North Carolina delegates coronal polishing to a registered dental
assistant (RDA). Which statement is true?
A) The RDA must have a certificate in coronal polishing from an ADA-accredited
program and the dentist must be present in the facility
B) Only a hygienist can polish coronal surfaces
C) No certification is needed if the dentist is in the same room
D) The RDA can polish if they have completed a 2-hour online course
[CORRECT] A
Rationale: NC dental board rules allow RDAs to perform coronal polishing only
after completing a board-approved course and passing an exam; dentist must be
on premises.
2. The CDC recommends that a surface barrier should be changed:
A) Every 4 hours
B) After every patient
C) Once per day
D) Only when visibly contaminated
[CORRECT] B
Rationale: Barriers must be changed after each patient because they are
considered single-use to prevent cross-contamination.
3. Under NC law, a dentist’s maximum controlled substance prescribing limit for
Schedule II opioids for minor post-surgical pain (adult patient) is:
,A) 5-day supply
B) 7-day supply
C) 10-day supply
D) No limit for post-surgical pain
[CORRECT] A
*Rationale: NC Stop Act limits initial Schedule II opioid prescriptions for acute pain
to a 5-day supply (or 7 days post-surgery, but for minor surgical pain in adults, 5
days is standard unless special circumstances documented).*
4. A dental assistant who is not registered or certified may legally perform which
task in NC?
A) Place and remove rubber dam
B) Take radiographs
C) Irrigate surgical site with sterile saline
D) Adjust a denture intraorally
[CORRECT] A
Rationale: Uncertified assistants can place rubber dam but not take radiographs
(requires certification) or adjust dentures intraorally (irreversible procedure).
5. The correct order for donning PPE for a surgical procedure is:
A) Mask, gown, gloves, eye protection
B) Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves
C) Gloves, mask, gown, eye protection
D) Eye protection, gloves, gown, mask
[CORRECT] B
Rationale: Gown first, then mask, eye protection, then gloves to maintain sterile
field and minimize contamination.
,6. Which of the following best describes “informed consent” under NC law?
A) A signed waiver of liability
B) Patient agrees after being told risks, benefits, alternatives
C) Nurse explains the procedure
D) Patient signs a general consent form on first visit
[CORRECT] B
Rationale: Informed consent requires explanation of risks, benefits, alternatives,
and the patient’s agreement without coercion.
7. A dental hygienist in NC wishes to administer local anesthesia. What is
required?
A) Certification from the NC Dental Board
B) Prescriptive authority from a supervising dentist
C) An expanded duty certificate after 1 year of practice
D) Hygienists cannot give local anesthesia in NC
[CORRECT] A
Rationale: NC requires hygienists to complete a board-approved local anesthesia
course and hold a permit.
8. Which solution is an intermediate-level disinfectant approved for clinical
contact surfaces?
A) Sodium hypochlorite 1:10 dilution
B) Ethyl alcohol 70%
C) Glutaraldehyde
D) Quaternary ammonium compounds with alcohol
[CORRECT] D
Rationale: Intermediate-level disinfectants (EPA-registered hospital disinfectants
with tuberculocidal claim) include certain quaternary ammonium compounds with
alcohol.
, 9. How often must a NC-licensed dentist renew their license?
A) Every year
B) Every 2 years
C) Every 3 years
D) Every 5 years
[CORRECT] B
Rationale: NC dental licenses renew biennially (every 2 years) with continuing
education required.
10. A patient’s dental radiographs are requested by another dentist. Under NC
law, the original dentist must:
A) Require a subpoena
B) Send copies, may charge a reasonable fee
C) Refuse to protect privacy
D) Only send if the patient signs a release within 30 days
[CORRECT] B
Rationale: NC law permits release of copies to another dentist upon patient
request; reasonable copying fee allowed.
11. A spore test (biological indicator) for a steam sterilizer should be run:
A) Weekly
B) Monthly
C) After each load
D) At least weekly, and every load with implants
[CORRECT] D
Rationale: CDC and NC rules recommend weekly spore testing, but for implants,
run with each load.
