DENTAL HYGIENE FLORIDA LAWS AND RULES EXAM
Questions and Answers| Updated| Pass Guaranteed
1. The Florida Dental Practice Act, which governs dentistry, dental
hygiene, and dental laboratories, is found in:
A. Chapter 466, F.S.
B. Chapter 464, F.S.
C. Chapter 456, F.S.
D. Chapter 468, F.S.
Answer: A. Chapter 466, F.S.
Rationale: Chapter 466, F.S., is titled 'Dentistry, Dental Hygiene, and Dental
Laboratories.' Chapter 456 holds general provisions for all health professions
(and applies to the Board of Dentistry too), Chapter 464 governs nursing, and
Chapter 468 covers other health-related professions.
2. According to s. 466.001, the legislative purpose of Chapter 466 is to
ensure that every dentist and dental hygienist practicing in Florida:
A. Maximizes the profitability of dental practices
B. Practices only in a private dental office
C. Meets minimum requirements for safe practice without undue clinical
interference by persons not licensed under the chapter
D. Holds a specialty certification
Answer: C. Meets minimum requirements for safe practice without
undue clinical interference by persons not licensed under the chapter
Rationale: The Legislature's stated intent is public protection: minimum
competency for safe practice, and dental services provided only as the
chapter allows rather than delegated to unauthorized individuals.
Florida Dental Hygiene Laws and Rules Practice | Page 1
,3. The Florida Board of Dentistry consists of 11 members appointed by
the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Its makeup is:
A. 5 dentists, 3 hygienists, 3 laypersons
B. 7 dentists, 2 dental hygienists, 2 laypersons
C. 6 dentists, 3 hygienists, 2 laypersons
D. 8 dentists, 1 hygienist, 2 laypersons
Answer: B. 7 dentists, 2 dental hygienists, 2 laypersons
Rationale: Section 466.004(1): seven licensed dentists, two licensed dental
hygienists, and two laypersons who are not and have never been dentists,
hygienists, or members of a closely related profession.
4. Members of the Board of Dentistry are appointed for terms of:
A. 4 years, with no more than 10 total years of service
B. 3 years, with a maximum of 9 years of service
C. 2 years, with a maximum of 4 years of service
D. 5 years, with no limit on service
Answer: A. 4 years, with no more than 10 total years of service
Rationale: Section 466.004(1) provides 4-year terms and limits service to no
more than a total of 10 years.
5. The Council on Dental Hygiene, which advises the Board on rules and
policies affecting dental hygiene, is chaired by:
A. The State Surgeon General
B. A layperson member of the Board
C. A dental hygienist member of the Board
D. The president of the state dental hygiene association
Answer: C. A dental hygienist member of the Board
Rationale: Section 466.004(2)(a): the council includes one hygienist Board
member (who chairs it), one dentist Board member, and three practicing
hygienists appointed by the Board chair.
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,6. The Council on Dental Hygiene must meet at least:
A. Three times a year
B. Twice a year
C. Monthly
D. Once a year
Answer: A. Three times a year
Rationale: Section 466.004(2)(a) requires the council to meet at least three
times a year, in addition to meeting at the request of the Board chair, a
majority of the Board, or the council chair.
7. The rules of the Florida Board of Dentistry are found in which chapter-
prefix of the Florida Administrative Code?
A. 64B5
B. 64B8
C. 61G
D. 59G
Answer: A. 64B5
Rationale: Board of Dentistry rules are in Title 64B5, F.A.C. (for example,
64B5-16 covers remediable tasks delegable to dental hygienists and dental
assistants). The Board adopts rules under s. 466.004(4).
8. After the Board certifies that an applicant meets the requirements for
dental hygiene licensure, the license is issued by:
A. The Department of Health
B. The Agency for Health Care Administration
C. The Board of Dentistry directly
D. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Answer: A. The Department of Health
Rationale: Under s. 466.011 the Board certifies applicants and the
Department of Health licenses them. The Board of Dentistry is created within
the Department of Health.
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, 9. Which of the following is exempt from Chapter 466 under s. 466.002?
A. A hygienist licensed in another state working in a private Florida office
B. A dental assistant performing scaling for a dentist
C. A student in a Florida dental hygiene school performing regularly
assigned work under the school's curriculum
D. A person who has passed only the national board exam
Answer: C. A student in a Florida dental hygiene school performing
regularly assigned work under the school's curriculum
Rationale: Section 466.002(5) exempts students in Florida schools of
dentistry, dental hygiene, or dental assisting while performing regularly
assigned work under the curriculum. The other choices describe people who
would need a Florida license or authority.
10. Under s. 466.003, 'dental hygiene' means:
A. Diagnosis and treatment planning of oral conditions
B. Oral surgical procedures performed under a dentist's order
C. Only the removal of plaque and stain
D. The rendering of educational, preventive, and therapeutic dental
services pursuant to ss. 466.023 and 466.024, and related extra-oral
procedures
Answer: D. The rendering of educational, preventive, and therapeutic
dental services pursuant to ss. 466.023 and 466.024, and related extra-
oral procedures
Rationale: The statutory definition ties hygiene to educational, preventive,
and therapeutic services as authorized in ss. 466.023 and 466.024. Diagnosis
and treatment planning belong to dentistry and cannot be delegated.
Florida Dental Hygiene Laws and Rules Practice | Page 4
Questions and Answers| Updated| Pass Guaranteed
1. The Florida Dental Practice Act, which governs dentistry, dental
hygiene, and dental laboratories, is found in:
A. Chapter 466, F.S.
B. Chapter 464, F.S.
C. Chapter 456, F.S.
D. Chapter 468, F.S.
Answer: A. Chapter 466, F.S.
Rationale: Chapter 466, F.S., is titled 'Dentistry, Dental Hygiene, and Dental
Laboratories.' Chapter 456 holds general provisions for all health professions
(and applies to the Board of Dentistry too), Chapter 464 governs nursing, and
Chapter 468 covers other health-related professions.
2. According to s. 466.001, the legislative purpose of Chapter 466 is to
ensure that every dentist and dental hygienist practicing in Florida:
A. Maximizes the profitability of dental practices
B. Practices only in a private dental office
C. Meets minimum requirements for safe practice without undue clinical
interference by persons not licensed under the chapter
D. Holds a specialty certification
Answer: C. Meets minimum requirements for safe practice without
undue clinical interference by persons not licensed under the chapter
Rationale: The Legislature's stated intent is public protection: minimum
competency for safe practice, and dental services provided only as the
chapter allows rather than delegated to unauthorized individuals.
Florida Dental Hygiene Laws and Rules Practice | Page 1
,3. The Florida Board of Dentistry consists of 11 members appointed by
the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Its makeup is:
A. 5 dentists, 3 hygienists, 3 laypersons
B. 7 dentists, 2 dental hygienists, 2 laypersons
C. 6 dentists, 3 hygienists, 2 laypersons
D. 8 dentists, 1 hygienist, 2 laypersons
Answer: B. 7 dentists, 2 dental hygienists, 2 laypersons
Rationale: Section 466.004(1): seven licensed dentists, two licensed dental
hygienists, and two laypersons who are not and have never been dentists,
hygienists, or members of a closely related profession.
4. Members of the Board of Dentistry are appointed for terms of:
A. 4 years, with no more than 10 total years of service
B. 3 years, with a maximum of 9 years of service
C. 2 years, with a maximum of 4 years of service
D. 5 years, with no limit on service
Answer: A. 4 years, with no more than 10 total years of service
Rationale: Section 466.004(1) provides 4-year terms and limits service to no
more than a total of 10 years.
5. The Council on Dental Hygiene, which advises the Board on rules and
policies affecting dental hygiene, is chaired by:
A. The State Surgeon General
B. A layperson member of the Board
C. A dental hygienist member of the Board
D. The president of the state dental hygiene association
Answer: C. A dental hygienist member of the Board
Rationale: Section 466.004(2)(a): the council includes one hygienist Board
member (who chairs it), one dentist Board member, and three practicing
hygienists appointed by the Board chair.
Florida Dental Hygiene Laws and Rules Practice | Page 2
,6. The Council on Dental Hygiene must meet at least:
A. Three times a year
B. Twice a year
C. Monthly
D. Once a year
Answer: A. Three times a year
Rationale: Section 466.004(2)(a) requires the council to meet at least three
times a year, in addition to meeting at the request of the Board chair, a
majority of the Board, or the council chair.
7. The rules of the Florida Board of Dentistry are found in which chapter-
prefix of the Florida Administrative Code?
A. 64B5
B. 64B8
C. 61G
D. 59G
Answer: A. 64B5
Rationale: Board of Dentistry rules are in Title 64B5, F.A.C. (for example,
64B5-16 covers remediable tasks delegable to dental hygienists and dental
assistants). The Board adopts rules under s. 466.004(4).
8. After the Board certifies that an applicant meets the requirements for
dental hygiene licensure, the license is issued by:
A. The Department of Health
B. The Agency for Health Care Administration
C. The Board of Dentistry directly
D. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Answer: A. The Department of Health
Rationale: Under s. 466.011 the Board certifies applicants and the
Department of Health licenses them. The Board of Dentistry is created within
the Department of Health.
Florida Dental Hygiene Laws and Rules Practice | Page 3
, 9. Which of the following is exempt from Chapter 466 under s. 466.002?
A. A hygienist licensed in another state working in a private Florida office
B. A dental assistant performing scaling for a dentist
C. A student in a Florida dental hygiene school performing regularly
assigned work under the school's curriculum
D. A person who has passed only the national board exam
Answer: C. A student in a Florida dental hygiene school performing
regularly assigned work under the school's curriculum
Rationale: Section 466.002(5) exempts students in Florida schools of
dentistry, dental hygiene, or dental assisting while performing regularly
assigned work under the curriculum. The other choices describe people who
would need a Florida license or authority.
10. Under s. 466.003, 'dental hygiene' means:
A. Diagnosis and treatment planning of oral conditions
B. Oral surgical procedures performed under a dentist's order
C. Only the removal of plaque and stain
D. The rendering of educational, preventive, and therapeutic dental
services pursuant to ss. 466.023 and 466.024, and related extra-oral
procedures
Answer: D. The rendering of educational, preventive, and therapeutic
dental services pursuant to ss. 466.023 and 466.024, and related extra-
oral procedures
Rationale: The statutory definition ties hygiene to educational, preventive,
and therapeutic services as authorized in ss. 466.023 and 466.024. Diagnosis
and treatment planning belong to dentistry and cannot be delegated.
Florida Dental Hygiene Laws and Rules Practice | Page 4
