RDA Law and Ethics Exam Expected Questions and Verified
Answers (2026-2027)
Question 1.
conditional duties of an RDA
Correct Answer: a- remove excess cement with an ultrasonic scaler from
supragivgival surfaces of teeth undergoing ortho treatment b- allowable duties
of an ortho assistant permitholder c- allowable duties of a dental sedation
assistant permitholder d- application of pit and fissure sealants
Question 2.
when can an RDA perform conditional duties?
Correct Answer: only when they have completed a board-approved educational
program or when they can provide evidence on completing a board-approved
course in the specific subject
Question 3.
what evidence does an RDA need to provide to accompany their first license renewal
(regarding conditional duties)?
Correct Answer: evidence of completion of a board-approved pit and fissure
sealants course; if not, license will be suspended
Question 4.
what duties may a DA/RDA/RDAEF perform while working for/at a primary care clinic or
specialty clinic?
Correct Answer: any extraoral duty, coronal polish, topical fluoride application,
pit and fissure sealants (if course completed) when under Direct Supervision of
RDH/RDHAP
Question 5.
dental auxillary
Correct Answer: a person who may perform dental supportive procedures under
specified supervision of a licensed DDS
Question 6.
dental assistant
Correct Answer: unlicensed person who may perform basic supportive
procedures under the supervision of a DDS
,Question 7.
registered dental assistant
Correct Answer: a licensed person who may perform all authorized procedures in
addition to all basic supportive procedures a DA may perform
Question 8.
direct supervision
Correct Answer: supervision of dental procedures based of DDS instruction and
the DDS being physically present in treatment facility during the specified
procedure
Question 9.
general supervision
Correct Answer: supervision of dental procedures based on DDS instruction but
where DDS must not be physically present during time of specified procedure
Question 10.
basic supportive dental procedures
Correct Answer: dental procedures categorized by their technically elementary
characteristics, complete reversibility and inability to create potentially
hazardous conditions for the PT
Question 11.
continuing education
Correct Answer: a condition of license renewal, the submission if evidence of an
RDA/RDH/DDS continuing to stay educated on new and improving developments
in the practice of dentistry, as well as reviewing infection control procedures,
dental law, and BLS
Question 12.
how much of an RDAs contiuing education can the Board dictate?
Correct Answer: 7.5 hrs in the general areas of PT care, health and safety, and
law and ethics (for DDS, 15 hrs)
Question 13.
how many hours of continuing education does an RDA need to complete for each renewal?
Correct Answer: 25 hours, with 2hrs Infection Control, 2 hrs Dental Practice Act,
a BLS course (no more that 4 hours)
, Question 14.
standard precautions
Correct Answer: a group of infection control and prevention practices that apply
to all PTs equally, including the use of PPE, safe handling of sharps
Question 15.
critical vs. semi-critical vs. non-critical items
Correct Answer: critical - penetrates bone and soft tissue, highest potential for
disease transmission semi-critical - touches oral mucosa or non-intact skin but
not penetrating soft tissue or bone non-critical - items used in PT care but not
oral mucosa membranes, much lower risk of transmission
Question 16.
levels of disinfection
Correct Answer: low - kills some bacteria, microorganisms, viruses but not Tb or
spores intermediate - kills Tb, but not necessarily spores high - kills Tb and
some spores, but not guaranteed to kill all spores
Question 17.
germicide
Correct Answer: chemical agent used to disinfect items/surfaces based on level
of contamination
Question 18.
sterilization
Correct Answer: validated process of rendering ALL viable forms of
microorganisms inactive (kills all spores)
Question 19.
PPE
Correct Answer: specialized clothing or equipment used to protect against a
hazard (general work attire NOT included)
Question 20.
OPIM
Correct Answer: other potentially infectious materials (bodily fluids form
humans, testing animals, and fluid/tissue/organ potentially infected with a BBP)
Answers (2026-2027)
Question 1.
conditional duties of an RDA
Correct Answer: a- remove excess cement with an ultrasonic scaler from
supragivgival surfaces of teeth undergoing ortho treatment b- allowable duties
of an ortho assistant permitholder c- allowable duties of a dental sedation
assistant permitholder d- application of pit and fissure sealants
Question 2.
when can an RDA perform conditional duties?
Correct Answer: only when they have completed a board-approved educational
program or when they can provide evidence on completing a board-approved
course in the specific subject
Question 3.
what evidence does an RDA need to provide to accompany their first license renewal
(regarding conditional duties)?
Correct Answer: evidence of completion of a board-approved pit and fissure
sealants course; if not, license will be suspended
Question 4.
what duties may a DA/RDA/RDAEF perform while working for/at a primary care clinic or
specialty clinic?
Correct Answer: any extraoral duty, coronal polish, topical fluoride application,
pit and fissure sealants (if course completed) when under Direct Supervision of
RDH/RDHAP
Question 5.
dental auxillary
Correct Answer: a person who may perform dental supportive procedures under
specified supervision of a licensed DDS
Question 6.
dental assistant
Correct Answer: unlicensed person who may perform basic supportive
procedures under the supervision of a DDS
,Question 7.
registered dental assistant
Correct Answer: a licensed person who may perform all authorized procedures in
addition to all basic supportive procedures a DA may perform
Question 8.
direct supervision
Correct Answer: supervision of dental procedures based of DDS instruction and
the DDS being physically present in treatment facility during the specified
procedure
Question 9.
general supervision
Correct Answer: supervision of dental procedures based on DDS instruction but
where DDS must not be physically present during time of specified procedure
Question 10.
basic supportive dental procedures
Correct Answer: dental procedures categorized by their technically elementary
characteristics, complete reversibility and inability to create potentially
hazardous conditions for the PT
Question 11.
continuing education
Correct Answer: a condition of license renewal, the submission if evidence of an
RDA/RDH/DDS continuing to stay educated on new and improving developments
in the practice of dentistry, as well as reviewing infection control procedures,
dental law, and BLS
Question 12.
how much of an RDAs contiuing education can the Board dictate?
Correct Answer: 7.5 hrs in the general areas of PT care, health and safety, and
law and ethics (for DDS, 15 hrs)
Question 13.
how many hours of continuing education does an RDA need to complete for each renewal?
Correct Answer: 25 hours, with 2hrs Infection Control, 2 hrs Dental Practice Act,
a BLS course (no more that 4 hours)
, Question 14.
standard precautions
Correct Answer: a group of infection control and prevention practices that apply
to all PTs equally, including the use of PPE, safe handling of sharps
Question 15.
critical vs. semi-critical vs. non-critical items
Correct Answer: critical - penetrates bone and soft tissue, highest potential for
disease transmission semi-critical - touches oral mucosa or non-intact skin but
not penetrating soft tissue or bone non-critical - items used in PT care but not
oral mucosa membranes, much lower risk of transmission
Question 16.
levels of disinfection
Correct Answer: low - kills some bacteria, microorganisms, viruses but not Tb or
spores intermediate - kills Tb, but not necessarily spores high - kills Tb and
some spores, but not guaranteed to kill all spores
Question 17.
germicide
Correct Answer: chemical agent used to disinfect items/surfaces based on level
of contamination
Question 18.
sterilization
Correct Answer: validated process of rendering ALL viable forms of
microorganisms inactive (kills all spores)
Question 19.
PPE
Correct Answer: specialized clothing or equipment used to protect against a
hazard (general work attire NOT included)
Question 20.
OPIM
Correct Answer: other potentially infectious materials (bodily fluids form
humans, testing animals, and fluid/tissue/organ potentially infected with a BBP)
