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Texas (TX) Dental Jurisprudence Examination
(Assessment) | Latest Verified Questions and
Detailed Answers
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION:
This Comprehensive set of multiple choice questions is designed for the Texas Dental
Jurisprudence Examination (Assessment), an open-book, untimed online test administered
by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners. The assessment evaluates knowledge of
state dental laws and ethics drawn from the Texas Occupations Code and TSBDE Board
Rules, covering the Dental Practice Act, scope of practice and delegation, informed consent,
patient records and confidentiality, licensure and continuing education requirements,
sedation and anesthesia regulations, and advertising and professional conduct standards.
QUESTION 1
How many members serve on the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners?
A. 7
B. 9
C. 11
D. 13
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: The TSBDE consists of 11 members appointed by the Governor,
including 8 dentists, 1 dental hygienist, and 2 public members (Texas Occupations Code
§252.001).
QUESTION 2
What is the term length for a TSBDE board member?
A. 4 years
B. 6 years
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C. 5 years, staggered
D. 6 years, staggered
CORRECT ANSWER: D
EXPERT RATIONALE: Board members serve staggered six-year terms to ensure
continuity (Texas Occupations Code §252.004).
QUESTION 3
True or False: The TSBDE has the authority to adopt rules to regulate the practice of
dentistry in Texas.
A. True
B. False
CORRECT ANSWER: A
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Board is empowered to adopt and enforce rules necessary to
implement the Dental Practice Act and protect the public (Texas Occupations Code
§254.001).
QUESTION 4
Which of the following is NOT within the scope of the TSBDE's authority?
A. Issuing dental licenses
B. Disciplining a licensee for violation of the Act
C. Setting standards for continuing education
D. Enacting criminal statutes for health fraud
CORRECT ANSWER: D
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Board cannot enact criminal statutes; that authority resides
with the Texas Legislature. The TSBDE enforces administrative rules and the Dental
Practice Act.
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QUESTION 5
A dentist may delegate which task to a Registered Dental Assistant under direct
supervision?
A. Final diagnosis and treatment planning
B. Coronal polishing and fluoride application
C. Prescribing Schedule III analgesics
D. Performing a pulpotomy
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: RDAs may perform coronal polishing and apply fluoride under
direct supervision, while diagnosis, prescribing, and irreversible surgical procedures are
non-delegable (22 TAC §114.3).
QUESTION 6
Under what level of supervision may a Texas-licensed dental hygienist perform
prophylaxis and root planing?
A. General supervision only
B. Direct supervision only
C. Either general or direct supervision, as directed by the dentist
D. Without any supervision if the patient has been examined within the past 12 months
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: Dental hygienists may provide prophylaxis and root planing under
either general or direct supervision, provided the dentist has previously examined the
patient and authorized treatment (22 TAC §115.2).
QUESTION 7
Which statement about general supervision in a dental office is correct?
A. The dentist must be physically present in the treatment room.
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B. The dentist must be in the office suite but not necessarily in the operatory.
C. The dentist is not required to be on the premises but must have authorized the
procedure and be available for communication.
D. The dentist can delegate tasks without prior examination of the patient.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: General supervision means the dentist has authorized the
procedure and is not physically present but remains available for consultation, while
direct supervision requires the dentist to be in the office.
QUESTION 8
A dental hygienist holding a nitrous oxide monitoring certificate may monitor nitrous
oxide under:
A. General supervision
B. Direct supervision
C. No supervision once the patient is sedated
D. Indirect supervision
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Dental hygienists and RDAs must be under direct supervision when
monitoring nitrous oxide inhalation sedation (22 TAC §115.22, §114.4).
QUESTION 9
Which duty is explicitly prohibited from delegation to a dental auxiliary in Texas?
A. Taking alginate impressions for study models
B. Placing pit and fissure sealants
C. Performing an intraoral incisional biopsy
D. Applying fluoride varnish
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Texas (TX) Dental Jurisprudence Examination
(Assessment) | Latest Verified Questions and
Detailed Answers
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION:
This Comprehensive set of multiple choice questions is designed for the Texas Dental
Jurisprudence Examination (Assessment), an open-book, untimed online test administered
by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners. The assessment evaluates knowledge of
state dental laws and ethics drawn from the Texas Occupations Code and TSBDE Board
Rules, covering the Dental Practice Act, scope of practice and delegation, informed consent,
patient records and confidentiality, licensure and continuing education requirements,
sedation and anesthesia regulations, and advertising and professional conduct standards.
QUESTION 1
How many members serve on the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners?
A. 7
B. 9
C. 11
D. 13
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: The TSBDE consists of 11 members appointed by the Governor,
including 8 dentists, 1 dental hygienist, and 2 public members (Texas Occupations Code
§252.001).
QUESTION 2
What is the term length for a TSBDE board member?
A. 4 years
B. 6 years
,2|Page
C. 5 years, staggered
D. 6 years, staggered
CORRECT ANSWER: D
EXPERT RATIONALE: Board members serve staggered six-year terms to ensure
continuity (Texas Occupations Code §252.004).
QUESTION 3
True or False: The TSBDE has the authority to adopt rules to regulate the practice of
dentistry in Texas.
A. True
B. False
CORRECT ANSWER: A
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Board is empowered to adopt and enforce rules necessary to
implement the Dental Practice Act and protect the public (Texas Occupations Code
§254.001).
QUESTION 4
Which of the following is NOT within the scope of the TSBDE's authority?
A. Issuing dental licenses
B. Disciplining a licensee for violation of the Act
C. Setting standards for continuing education
D. Enacting criminal statutes for health fraud
CORRECT ANSWER: D
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Board cannot enact criminal statutes; that authority resides
with the Texas Legislature. The TSBDE enforces administrative rules and the Dental
Practice Act.
,3|Page
QUESTION 5
A dentist may delegate which task to a Registered Dental Assistant under direct
supervision?
A. Final diagnosis and treatment planning
B. Coronal polishing and fluoride application
C. Prescribing Schedule III analgesics
D. Performing a pulpotomy
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: RDAs may perform coronal polishing and apply fluoride under
direct supervision, while diagnosis, prescribing, and irreversible surgical procedures are
non-delegable (22 TAC §114.3).
QUESTION 6
Under what level of supervision may a Texas-licensed dental hygienist perform
prophylaxis and root planing?
A. General supervision only
B. Direct supervision only
C. Either general or direct supervision, as directed by the dentist
D. Without any supervision if the patient has been examined within the past 12 months
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: Dental hygienists may provide prophylaxis and root planing under
either general or direct supervision, provided the dentist has previously examined the
patient and authorized treatment (22 TAC §115.2).
QUESTION 7
Which statement about general supervision in a dental office is correct?
A. The dentist must be physically present in the treatment room.
, 4|Page
B. The dentist must be in the office suite but not necessarily in the operatory.
C. The dentist is not required to be on the premises but must have authorized the
procedure and be available for communication.
D. The dentist can delegate tasks without prior examination of the patient.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: General supervision means the dentist has authorized the
procedure and is not physically present but remains available for consultation, while
direct supervision requires the dentist to be in the office.
QUESTION 8
A dental hygienist holding a nitrous oxide monitoring certificate may monitor nitrous
oxide under:
A. General supervision
B. Direct supervision
C. No supervision once the patient is sedated
D. Indirect supervision
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Dental hygienists and RDAs must be under direct supervision when
monitoring nitrous oxide inhalation sedation (22 TAC §115.22, §114.4).
QUESTION 9
Which duty is explicitly prohibited from delegation to a dental auxiliary in Texas?
A. Taking alginate impressions for study models
B. Placing pit and fissure sealants
C. Performing an intraoral incisional biopsy
D. Applying fluoride varnish
CORRECT ANSWER: C
