Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners 2025 | 2026 Dental Hygiene Jurisprudence Exam — Answer Key & Rationales

Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners DOCUMENT ID
KEY-2025-
2025 DENTAL HYGIENE JURISPRUDENCE EXAM — ANSWER KEY &
HYG
RATIONALES



JURISDICTION EXAM FOCUS STATUTORY SOURCE
State of Maryland Dental Hygiene Scope & Regulations MD HO Article § 4-206 & COMAR 10.44



SECTION ONE — SCOPE OF PRACTICE DETERMINATION (2 PTS EACH)

Under Maryland Code (Health Occupations Article, § 4-206) and COMAR 10.44.04, allowable expanded functions for dental
hygienists are strictly defined. Services circled below represent legal scope of practice.

Code Procedure / Function Status Statutory Authority / COMAR Citation

A Place or remove an arch wire PROHIBITED Restricted to dentist or Orthodontic Assistant

COMAR 10.44.04.03 (Periodontal curettage
B Perform curettage WITHIN SCOPE
allowed)

COMAR 10.44.04.03 (Laboratory tray
C Fabricate bleaching, fluoride, impression trays WITHIN SCOPE
construction)

D Apply silver diamine fluoride (SDF) WITHIN SCOPE COMAR 10.44.04.03 (Topical preventive agents)

E Place and remove retraction cord WITHIN SCOPE COMAR 10.44.04.03 (Intraoral expanded duty)

F Perform brush biopsy WITHIN SCOPE COMAR 10.44.04.03 (Diagnostic brush biopsy)

G Administer nitrous oxide WITHIN SCOPE COMAR 10.44.04.09 (With Board certification)

H Take alginate impressions for study models WITHIN SCOPE COMAR 10.44.04.03 (Diagnostic impressions)

I Apply bonding agent PROHIBITED Restricted operative dental procedure

Place/remove orthodontic
J PROHIBITED Restricted orthodontic procedure
bands/attachments

COMAR 10.44.04.03 (Diagnostic testing
K Perform vitality tests WITHIN SCOPE
allowed)

L Cement permanent crowns PROHIBITED HO § 4-206 (Prohibited restorative act)

M Adjust occlusion intraorally PROHIBITED HO § 4-206 (Restricted practice of dentistry)

N Apply and remove a socket dressing PROHIBITED Post-surgical care restricted to dentist

O Use high-speed handpiece intraorally PROHIBITED HO § 4-206 (Irreversible tissue alteration)

P Construct athletic mouthguards on models WITHIN SCOPE COMAR 10.44.04.03 (Laboratory fabrication)

COMAR 10.44.04.03 (Restorative supportive
Q Remove temporary intracoronal restoration WITHIN SCOPE
task)

R Administer local anesthesia by infiltration WITHIN SCOPE COMAR 10.44.04.08 (With Board recognition)

S Etch teeth WITHIN SCOPE COMAR 10.44.04.03 (Prerequisite for sealants)

T Perform preliminary dental exam WITHIN SCOPE HO § 4-206 & COMAR 10.44.04.03

U Remove sutures WITHIN SCOPE COMAR 10.44.04.03 (Post-operative care)

COMAR 10.44.04.03 (Periodontal supportive
V Place an original periodontal dressing WITHIN SCOPE
care)


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