Pennsylvania Dentist Jurisprudence
Exam — 100-Question Advanced
Practice Exam 2026 | Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Complete Exam Prep & Study Guide
1. A Pennsylvania dentist maintains a patient record only when treatment is
actually provided and no record is created for consultations in which the patient
declines treatment. Which statement is most accurate?
A. This is permissible if no fee was charged.
B. This is permissible if no diagnosis was made.
C. A dental record must be prepared and maintained regardless of whether
treatment is rendered or a fee is charged.
D. A record is required only for patients receiving controlled substances.
Answer: A dental record must be prepared and maintained regardless of
whether treatment is rendered or a fee is charged.
Rationale: Pennsylvania regulations require a dental record for each patient
that accurately, legibly, and completely reflects evaluation and treatment. The
,obligation applies even when treatment is not ultimately rendered and
regardless of whether a fee is charged.
2. A patient submits a written request for an exact copy of the dental record and
radiographs. By when must the dentist generally furnish the requested
materials?
A. Within 7 days
B. Within 15 days
C. Within 30 days
D. Within 60 days
Answer: Within 30 days.
Rationale: Pennsylvania regulation requires the dentist to furnish an exact copy
of the written dental record, and requested radiographs and orthodontic
models, within 30 days of receiving the written request.
3. A patient owes $2,500 in unpaid dental fees and requests transfer of the
dental record to a new dentist. May the Pennsylvania dentist refuse to transfer
the record until the balance is paid?
A. Yes, because the record is the dentist's property.
B. Yes, if the patient signed a financial agreement.
C. No, the obligation to transfer the record exists regardless of an unpaid balance.
D. Yes, but only for records less than five years old.
Answer: No, the obligation to transfer the record exists regardless of an unpaid
balance.
Rationale: Pennsylvania expressly provides that the duty to transfer patient
records is not eliminated by an unpaid balance for dental services or record
reproduction.
4. For how long must a Pennsylvania dentist retain a patient dental record at
minimum from the date of the last dental entry?
,A. 2 years
B. 3 years
C. 5 years
D. 7 years
Answer: 5 years.
Rationale: Pennsylvania regulation requires retention of the patient dental
record for a minimum of five years from the date of the last dental entry.
5. Which information is specifically required in a Pennsylvania dental record?
A. Only the patient's diagnosis and billing information
B. The patient's complaint, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and identity of the
person rendering treatment
C. Only radiographs and treatment plans
D. Only procedures involving controlled substances
Answer: The patient's complaint, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and identity
of the person rendering treatment.
Rationale: Pennsylvania's minimum record requirements include patient
identifying information, visits, complaints, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
rendered, and the identity of the person rendering the service.
6. A dentist documents that a hygienist performed a service but fails to identify
the hygienist in the record. What is the primary problem?
A. The record does not identify the person providing the service.
B. The service automatically becomes unauthorized.
C. The patient must receive a refund.
D. The dentist must immediately close the practice.
Answer: The record does not identify the person providing the service.
Rationale: The record must identify the person providing the service when that
person is not the dentist of record.
, 7. Which statement concerning radiographs in Pennsylvania dental records is
most accurate?
A. Only the date of the radiograph is required.
B. The date and type of radiographs, as well as the radiographs themselves, must
generally be maintained.
C. Radiographs belong exclusively to the patient and need not be retained.
D. Radiographs are required only when insurance pays for them.
Answer: The date and type of radiographs, as well as the radiographs
themselves, must generally be maintained.
Rationale: Pennsylvania requires the record to contain the date and type of
radiographs taken and the radiographs themselves.
8. A dentist releases orthodontic models directly to a patient. What additional
documentation is required?
A. A verbal authorization only
B. A signed form memorializing the transaction, which becomes part of the
patient's record
C. A court order
D. No documentation
Answer: A signed form memorializing the transaction, which becomes part of
the patient's record.
Rationale: Pennsylvania permits release of orthodontic models to the patient,
but the transaction must be memorialized on a patient-signed form that
becomes part of the record.
9. A dentist plans to retire. Which responsibility is most important regarding
existing patient records?
A. Destroy all records immediately after retirement.
B. Transfer records only when patients pay outstanding balances.
C. Establish a method for disposition of records that ensures their availability to
Exam — 100-Question Advanced
Practice Exam 2026 | Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Complete Exam Prep & Study Guide
1. A Pennsylvania dentist maintains a patient record only when treatment is
actually provided and no record is created for consultations in which the patient
declines treatment. Which statement is most accurate?
A. This is permissible if no fee was charged.
B. This is permissible if no diagnosis was made.
C. A dental record must be prepared and maintained regardless of whether
treatment is rendered or a fee is charged.
D. A record is required only for patients receiving controlled substances.
Answer: A dental record must be prepared and maintained regardless of
whether treatment is rendered or a fee is charged.
Rationale: Pennsylvania regulations require a dental record for each patient
that accurately, legibly, and completely reflects evaluation and treatment. The
,obligation applies even when treatment is not ultimately rendered and
regardless of whether a fee is charged.
2. A patient submits a written request for an exact copy of the dental record and
radiographs. By when must the dentist generally furnish the requested
materials?
A. Within 7 days
B. Within 15 days
C. Within 30 days
D. Within 60 days
Answer: Within 30 days.
Rationale: Pennsylvania regulation requires the dentist to furnish an exact copy
of the written dental record, and requested radiographs and orthodontic
models, within 30 days of receiving the written request.
3. A patient owes $2,500 in unpaid dental fees and requests transfer of the
dental record to a new dentist. May the Pennsylvania dentist refuse to transfer
the record until the balance is paid?
A. Yes, because the record is the dentist's property.
B. Yes, if the patient signed a financial agreement.
C. No, the obligation to transfer the record exists regardless of an unpaid balance.
D. Yes, but only for records less than five years old.
Answer: No, the obligation to transfer the record exists regardless of an unpaid
balance.
Rationale: Pennsylvania expressly provides that the duty to transfer patient
records is not eliminated by an unpaid balance for dental services or record
reproduction.
4. For how long must a Pennsylvania dentist retain a patient dental record at
minimum from the date of the last dental entry?
,A. 2 years
B. 3 years
C. 5 years
D. 7 years
Answer: 5 years.
Rationale: Pennsylvania regulation requires retention of the patient dental
record for a minimum of five years from the date of the last dental entry.
5. Which information is specifically required in a Pennsylvania dental record?
A. Only the patient's diagnosis and billing information
B. The patient's complaint, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and identity of the
person rendering treatment
C. Only radiographs and treatment plans
D. Only procedures involving controlled substances
Answer: The patient's complaint, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and identity
of the person rendering treatment.
Rationale: Pennsylvania's minimum record requirements include patient
identifying information, visits, complaints, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
rendered, and the identity of the person rendering the service.
6. A dentist documents that a hygienist performed a service but fails to identify
the hygienist in the record. What is the primary problem?
A. The record does not identify the person providing the service.
B. The service automatically becomes unauthorized.
C. The patient must receive a refund.
D. The dentist must immediately close the practice.
Answer: The record does not identify the person providing the service.
Rationale: The record must identify the person providing the service when that
person is not the dentist of record.
, 7. Which statement concerning radiographs in Pennsylvania dental records is
most accurate?
A. Only the date of the radiograph is required.
B. The date and type of radiographs, as well as the radiographs themselves, must
generally be maintained.
C. Radiographs belong exclusively to the patient and need not be retained.
D. Radiographs are required only when insurance pays for them.
Answer: The date and type of radiographs, as well as the radiographs
themselves, must generally be maintained.
Rationale: Pennsylvania requires the record to contain the date and type of
radiographs taken and the radiographs themselves.
8. A dentist releases orthodontic models directly to a patient. What additional
documentation is required?
A. A verbal authorization only
B. A signed form memorializing the transaction, which becomes part of the
patient's record
C. A court order
D. No documentation
Answer: A signed form memorializing the transaction, which becomes part of
the patient's record.
Rationale: Pennsylvania permits release of orthodontic models to the patient,
but the transaction must be memorialized on a patient-signed form that
becomes part of the record.
9. A dentist plans to retire. Which responsibility is most important regarding
existing patient records?
A. Destroy all records immediately after retirement.
B. Transfer records only when patients pay outstanding balances.
C. Establish a method for disposition of records that ensures their availability to
