RDHAP Law and Ethics Exam – 2026/2027
Edition – 250 Actual Questions & Verified
Correct Answers
Questions with Step-by-Step Answers | 100% Verified | A+ Graded Review
OVERVIEW:
RDHAP Law and Ethics Exam – 2026/2027 covers California Business &
Professions Code, authorized RDHAP settings, scope, permits, infection
control, HIPAA/CMIA, informed consent, records retention, mandatory
abuse reporting, insurance fraud, advertising, malpractice, emergency
preparedness, CE requirements, unprofessional conduct, patient
autonomy, and referral relationships for independent practice, ensuring
safe, ethical, compliant care in HPSA, homebound, schools, nursing
homes, and mobile settings statewide.
Answers are in bold Green, with rationales after.
1. What legally defines an RDHAP practice setting?
A. Shopping mall kiosk
B. Any private home
C. Only dentist office
D. Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas, residences of homebound, nursing
facilities, hospitals, schools, etc. per B&P 1926
Rationale: B&P 1926(b) lists underserved settings where RDHAP may practice
independently.
,2. RDHAP must complete how many hours in approved RDHAP program?
A. 300 hours
B. 500 hours
C. 150 hours
D. 75 hours
Rationale: CCR requires 150-hour RDHAP education program approved by Dental
Board.
3. Can RDHAP diagnose periodontal disease?
A. No, RDHAP assesses and makes hygiene diagnosis; dentist makes dental diagnosis,
but RDHAP can determine hygiene treatment plan
B. Only with x-rays
C. Yes, fully
D. Never
Rationale: Scope: RDHAP performs assessments, hygiene diagnosis, treatment
planning within hygiene scope; dental diagnosis is DDS scope.
4. Patient is homebound and needs SRP. RDHAP must:
A. May perform SRP if within scope and has referral relationship and medical history
reviewed
B. Refer to dentist first always
C. Need general supervision
D. Cannot do SRP in home
Rationale: SRP is within RDHAP scope in authorized settings provided medical history,
referral dentist available.
,5. Prescription for fluoride - RDHAP authority?
A. May prescribe systemic antibiotics
B. May apply topical fluoride and prescribe fluoride rinses per protocol
C. May prescribe opioids
D. Cannot prescribe
Rationale: RDHAP can apply and, per standing orders/protocols, prescribe fluoride
products - not systemic antibiotics/opioids.
6. Local anesthesia - can RDHAP administer in homebound setting?
A. Only infiltration
B. No ever
C. Only if dentist present
D. Yes, if RDHAP has LA permit and follows B&P
Rationale: With valid LA permit and certification, RDHAP may administer LA in any
authorized setting.
7. Nitrous oxide - RDHAP?
A. May administer if N2O permit held
B. Only with dentist
C. Only for children
D. Never
Rationale: Separate N2O permit allows administration per Dental Board regulations.
8. Medical emergency kit requirement for RDHAP mobile practice?
, A. Must have emergency kit, oxygen, and plan for emergency services per standard of
care
B. Only band-aids
C. Dentist provides
D. Not required
Rationale: Standard of care requires emergency preparedness including emergency
kit, O2, EMS access.
9. Informed consent must be documented in:
A. Not needed for prophy
B. Memory only
C. Only for SRP
D. Written and signed, or documented verbal consent with note
Rationale: All procedures require informed consent documented - written preferred,
verbal must be charted.
10. Minor patient - who can consent?
A. Minor always
B. Anyone 16+
C. Parent/legal guardian, or minor if emancipated or per Family Code exceptions
D. Friend
Rationale: CA Family Code: parent/guardian or emancipated minor or specific mature
minor exceptions.
11. Patient requests records, RDHAP must provide within:
A. Within 15 days per Health & Safety Code 123110
Edition – 250 Actual Questions & Verified
Correct Answers
Questions with Step-by-Step Answers | 100% Verified | A+ Graded Review
OVERVIEW:
RDHAP Law and Ethics Exam – 2026/2027 covers California Business &
Professions Code, authorized RDHAP settings, scope, permits, infection
control, HIPAA/CMIA, informed consent, records retention, mandatory
abuse reporting, insurance fraud, advertising, malpractice, emergency
preparedness, CE requirements, unprofessional conduct, patient
autonomy, and referral relationships for independent practice, ensuring
safe, ethical, compliant care in HPSA, homebound, schools, nursing
homes, and mobile settings statewide.
Answers are in bold Green, with rationales after.
1. What legally defines an RDHAP practice setting?
A. Shopping mall kiosk
B. Any private home
C. Only dentist office
D. Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas, residences of homebound, nursing
facilities, hospitals, schools, etc. per B&P 1926
Rationale: B&P 1926(b) lists underserved settings where RDHAP may practice
independently.
,2. RDHAP must complete how many hours in approved RDHAP program?
A. 300 hours
B. 500 hours
C. 150 hours
D. 75 hours
Rationale: CCR requires 150-hour RDHAP education program approved by Dental
Board.
3. Can RDHAP diagnose periodontal disease?
A. No, RDHAP assesses and makes hygiene diagnosis; dentist makes dental diagnosis,
but RDHAP can determine hygiene treatment plan
B. Only with x-rays
C. Yes, fully
D. Never
Rationale: Scope: RDHAP performs assessments, hygiene diagnosis, treatment
planning within hygiene scope; dental diagnosis is DDS scope.
4. Patient is homebound and needs SRP. RDHAP must:
A. May perform SRP if within scope and has referral relationship and medical history
reviewed
B. Refer to dentist first always
C. Need general supervision
D. Cannot do SRP in home
Rationale: SRP is within RDHAP scope in authorized settings provided medical history,
referral dentist available.
,5. Prescription for fluoride - RDHAP authority?
A. May prescribe systemic antibiotics
B. May apply topical fluoride and prescribe fluoride rinses per protocol
C. May prescribe opioids
D. Cannot prescribe
Rationale: RDHAP can apply and, per standing orders/protocols, prescribe fluoride
products - not systemic antibiotics/opioids.
6. Local anesthesia - can RDHAP administer in homebound setting?
A. Only infiltration
B. No ever
C. Only if dentist present
D. Yes, if RDHAP has LA permit and follows B&P
Rationale: With valid LA permit and certification, RDHAP may administer LA in any
authorized setting.
7. Nitrous oxide - RDHAP?
A. May administer if N2O permit held
B. Only with dentist
C. Only for children
D. Never
Rationale: Separate N2O permit allows administration per Dental Board regulations.
8. Medical emergency kit requirement for RDHAP mobile practice?
, A. Must have emergency kit, oxygen, and plan for emergency services per standard of
care
B. Only band-aids
C. Dentist provides
D. Not required
Rationale: Standard of care requires emergency preparedness including emergency
kit, O2, EMS access.
9. Informed consent must be documented in:
A. Not needed for prophy
B. Memory only
C. Only for SRP
D. Written and signed, or documented verbal consent with note
Rationale: All procedures require informed consent documented - written preferred,
verbal must be charted.
10. Minor patient - who can consent?
A. Minor always
B. Anyone 16+
C. Parent/legal guardian, or minor if emancipated or per Family Code exceptions
D. Friend
Rationale: CA Family Code: parent/guardian or emancipated minor or specific mature
minor exceptions.
11. Patient requests records, RDHAP must provide within:
A. Within 15 days per Health & Safety Code 123110
