Washington Dental Jurisprudence
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. A dentist licensed in Washington State who wishes to administer sedation
beyond the minimal level must comply with specific rules promulgated by
the Dental Quality Assurance Commission. Under Washington law, the
administration of sedation and general anesthesia is governed by which of
the following regulatory authorities?
A. The Washington State Dental Association
B. The Department of Health, solely through RCW 43.70
C. The Dental Quality Assurance Commission through rule-making authority
D. The Board of Pharmacy through the Uniform Controlled Substances Act
Answer: C
Rationale: The Dental Quality Assurance Commission is explicitly granted
the authority to adopt rules governing the administration of sedation and
general anesthesia under RCW 18.32.640. This authority is specific to the
commission and is not delegated to the Dental Association, the Department
of Health alone, or the Board of Pharmacy.*
2. Under the Revised Code of Washington, which of the following actions falls
within the statutory definition of the practice of dentistry?
A. Providing dietary counseling to a patient based on a dentist's treatment
plan
B. Taking an impression of the teeth or jaw for the fabrication of a
prosthetic device
C. Applying topical fluoride varnish under the direct order of a licensed
, dentist
D. Administering a local anesthetic under the indirect supervision of a
dentist
Answer: B
Rationale: RCW 18.32.020 explicitly includes taking impressions of the teeth
or jaw within the definition of practicing dentistry. The other options either
describe tasks that may be delegated to auxiliaries or do not constitute the
independent practice of dentistry under the statute.*
3. The Washington Dental Quality Assurance Commission is composed of how
many members, and what is the composition requirement?
A. Twelve members, all of whom must be licensed dentists
B. Seventeen members, including twelve dentists, two expanded function
dental auxiliaries, and three public members
C. Fifteen members, including ten dentists and five public members
D. Twenty members, with equal representation from dentists and dental
hygienists
Answer: B
Rationale: RCW 18.32.0351 establishes the commission with seventeen
members: twelve dentists, two expanded function dental auxiliaries licensed
under chapter 18.260 RCW, and three public members.*
4. A dentist in Washington State is required to complete the jurisprudence
examination as part of continuing education. How frequently must this
examination be completed?
A. Annually
B. Every two years
C. Every three years
D. Every five years
Answer: C
Rationale: The jurisprudence examination is required once every three years
beginning January 1, 2019. This requirement is part of the continuing
education obligations for licensed dentists.*
,5. In Washington State, a dental hygienist may perform root planing and soft-
tissue curettage under which of the following conditions?
A. Only under the direct, in-person supervision of a dentist
B. Under the supervision of a licensed dentist or a dental therapist
C. Independently, without any supervision, after two years of practice
D. Only under the indirect supervision of a dentist who is on the premises
Answer: B
Rationale: RCW 18.29.050 permits dental hygienists to perform root planing
and soft-tissue curettage under the supervision of a licensed dentist or
dental therapist. This supervision does not require the dentist to be
physically present at all times, as long as the supervision meets the
statutory requirements.*
6. A dentist who prescribes controlled substances in Washington must be
registered with which federal agency?
A. The Washington State Department of Health
B. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
C. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
D. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Answer: B
Rationale: Dentists who prescribe controlled substances must register with
the Drug Enforcement Administration. State law also requires compliance
with federal prescribing regulations, including DEA registration.*
7. Under Washington law, suspected child abuse must be reported by a dentist
within which timeframe?
A. Immediately, but no later than 24 hours
B. Within 48 hours
C. Within 7 days
D. Within 10 days
Answer: B
Rationale: Washington law mandates that suspected child abuse be
reported within 48 hours of suspicion. This is a mandatory reporting
requirement for all health care professionals, including dentists.*
, 8. Dental records in Washington State must be retained for a minimum period
of:
A. 2 years
B. 5 years
C. 7 years
D. 10 years
Answer: C
Rationale: State rules generally require the retention of dental records for a
minimum of seven years. This requirement ensures that patient records are
available for continuity of care and for legal or regulatory purposes.*
9. The continuing education requirement for dentists in Washington State is:
A. 10 hours per year
B. 20 hours every two years
C. 30 hours every two years
D. 50 hours every two years
Answer: C
Rationale: The state requires 30 hours of continuing education biennially for
dentists. This requirement helps ensure that dentists maintain current
knowledge and skills in their practice.*
10.A dentist who is the subject of a disciplinary action by the Dental Quality
Assurance Commission has the right to:
A. Appeal the decision directly to the Washington State Legislature
B. Request a hearing under the Administrative Procedure Act
C. Ignore the disciplinary action if it is not criminal in nature
D. Continue practicing without any restrictions pending appeal
Answer: B
Rationale: The Washington Administrative Procedure Act, chapter 34.05
RCW, governs judicial review of agency decisions, including those of the
Dental Quality Assurance Commission. A dentist subject to disciplinary
action is entitled to a hearing and appeal rights under this act.*
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A dentist licensed in Washington State who wishes to administer sedation
beyond the minimal level must comply with specific rules promulgated by
the Dental Quality Assurance Commission. Under Washington law, the
administration of sedation and general anesthesia is governed by which of
the following regulatory authorities?
A. The Washington State Dental Association
B. The Department of Health, solely through RCW 43.70
C. The Dental Quality Assurance Commission through rule-making authority
D. The Board of Pharmacy through the Uniform Controlled Substances Act
Answer: C
Rationale: The Dental Quality Assurance Commission is explicitly granted
the authority to adopt rules governing the administration of sedation and
general anesthesia under RCW 18.32.640. This authority is specific to the
commission and is not delegated to the Dental Association, the Department
of Health alone, or the Board of Pharmacy.*
2. Under the Revised Code of Washington, which of the following actions falls
within the statutory definition of the practice of dentistry?
A. Providing dietary counseling to a patient based on a dentist's treatment
plan
B. Taking an impression of the teeth or jaw for the fabrication of a
prosthetic device
C. Applying topical fluoride varnish under the direct order of a licensed
, dentist
D. Administering a local anesthetic under the indirect supervision of a
dentist
Answer: B
Rationale: RCW 18.32.020 explicitly includes taking impressions of the teeth
or jaw within the definition of practicing dentistry. The other options either
describe tasks that may be delegated to auxiliaries or do not constitute the
independent practice of dentistry under the statute.*
3. The Washington Dental Quality Assurance Commission is composed of how
many members, and what is the composition requirement?
A. Twelve members, all of whom must be licensed dentists
B. Seventeen members, including twelve dentists, two expanded function
dental auxiliaries, and three public members
C. Fifteen members, including ten dentists and five public members
D. Twenty members, with equal representation from dentists and dental
hygienists
Answer: B
Rationale: RCW 18.32.0351 establishes the commission with seventeen
members: twelve dentists, two expanded function dental auxiliaries licensed
under chapter 18.260 RCW, and three public members.*
4. A dentist in Washington State is required to complete the jurisprudence
examination as part of continuing education. How frequently must this
examination be completed?
A. Annually
B. Every two years
C. Every three years
D. Every five years
Answer: C
Rationale: The jurisprudence examination is required once every three years
beginning January 1, 2019. This requirement is part of the continuing
education obligations for licensed dentists.*
,5. In Washington State, a dental hygienist may perform root planing and soft-
tissue curettage under which of the following conditions?
A. Only under the direct, in-person supervision of a dentist
B. Under the supervision of a licensed dentist or a dental therapist
C. Independently, without any supervision, after two years of practice
D. Only under the indirect supervision of a dentist who is on the premises
Answer: B
Rationale: RCW 18.29.050 permits dental hygienists to perform root planing
and soft-tissue curettage under the supervision of a licensed dentist or
dental therapist. This supervision does not require the dentist to be
physically present at all times, as long as the supervision meets the
statutory requirements.*
6. A dentist who prescribes controlled substances in Washington must be
registered with which federal agency?
A. The Washington State Department of Health
B. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
C. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
D. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Answer: B
Rationale: Dentists who prescribe controlled substances must register with
the Drug Enforcement Administration. State law also requires compliance
with federal prescribing regulations, including DEA registration.*
7. Under Washington law, suspected child abuse must be reported by a dentist
within which timeframe?
A. Immediately, but no later than 24 hours
B. Within 48 hours
C. Within 7 days
D. Within 10 days
Answer: B
Rationale: Washington law mandates that suspected child abuse be
reported within 48 hours of suspicion. This is a mandatory reporting
requirement for all health care professionals, including dentists.*
, 8. Dental records in Washington State must be retained for a minimum period
of:
A. 2 years
B. 5 years
C. 7 years
D. 10 years
Answer: C
Rationale: State rules generally require the retention of dental records for a
minimum of seven years. This requirement ensures that patient records are
available for continuity of care and for legal or regulatory purposes.*
9. The continuing education requirement for dentists in Washington State is:
A. 10 hours per year
B. 20 hours every two years
C. 30 hours every two years
D. 50 hours every two years
Answer: C
Rationale: The state requires 30 hours of continuing education biennially for
dentists. This requirement helps ensure that dentists maintain current
knowledge and skills in their practice.*
10.A dentist who is the subject of a disciplinary action by the Dental Quality
Assurance Commission has the right to:
A. Appeal the decision directly to the Washington State Legislature
B. Request a hearing under the Administrative Procedure Act
C. Ignore the disciplinary action if it is not criminal in nature
D. Continue practicing without any restrictions pending appeal
Answer: B
Rationale: The Washington Administrative Procedure Act, chapter 34.05
RCW, governs judicial review of agency decisions, including those of the
Dental Quality Assurance Commission. A dentist subject to disciplinary
action is entitled to a hearing and appeal rights under this act.*
