California Law and Ethics Dental Hygiene
California Law and Ethics Dental Hygiene
Exam Study Questions with Verified
Answers 2025
Direct supervision -Correct Answer ✅-A set of procedures where The dentist must
physically be present in treatment facility
General supervision -Correct Answer ✅-Procedures where the dentist does NOT need
to be physically present in treatment facility
Oral prophylaxis -Correct Answer ✅-Preventative and therapeutic dental procedures
that include
-- bacterial debridements with complete removal of supra and sub calculus, soft
deposits, plaque and stains. And to smooth out tooth surfaces
What is the purpose of the prophylaxis -Correct Answer ✅-To create an environment
for a patient to maintain healthy hard and soft tissues
What does the practice of an rdh include -Correct Answer ✅-Dental hygiene
assessment and development, planning and implementation of a dental hygiene plan.
It also includes oral hygiene education, counseling and health screenings
Dental hygiene does NOT include what -Correct Answer ✅----Diagnosing or
comprehensive treatment plans
---Placing, moving, condensing, carving, removing of permanent restorations
---surgery, or cutting on hard and soft tissue , removing teeth and cutting and suturing
--- prescribing meds
---administering local or general anesthesia or oral or parenteral conscious sedation
other than nitrous oxide and oxygen and allowed local anesthetic.
What can an rdh do under direct supervision? -Correct Answer ✅----Soft-tissue
curettage
---Administration of local anesthesia
---Administration of nitrous oxide and oxygen, whether administered in tandem or alone.
What can an rdh do under general supervision -Correct Answer ✅---- preventative and
therapeutic interventions including : oral prophylaxis, scaling and root planing
---application of topical, therapeutic and subgingival agents used for the control of caries
and periodontal disease.
---the taking of impressions for bleaching trays and activation of non laser, light curing
devices
---the taking of impressions for bleaching trays and placements of in office tooth
whitening devices
California Law and Ethics Dental Hygiene
,California Law and Ethics Dental Hygiene
What can an rdh do without any supervision -Correct Answer ✅--Educational services
-Oral health training programs
-Oral health screenings
*rdh must refer any screened patients with abnormalities to a dentist to receive a
comprehensive exam, diagnosis and a treatment plan
In a government public health program an rdh may provide without supervision the
following: -Correct Answer ✅--oral prophylaxis,srp.
-Fluoride application
-Pit and fissure sealants
* the rdh may submit insurance claims for the services provided under the public health
programs.
No person shall be allowed to practice as a dental hygenist except for what Exceptions -
Correct Answer ✅----a student in a dental/dental hygiene school performing the
curriculum.
---a dental assistant acting under the rules of the dental board may perform the
following:
*taking impressions
*applying fluorides
*applying non-areosol and non caustic topical agents
--- an rda acting under the rules of the dental board my perform the following:
*coronal polishing
*applying bleaching agents
*activating bleaching agents with a non laser light curing device
*applying pit and fissure sealants
---an rdaef can apply a pit and fissure sealant
---a rdh,rdhap,rdhef that is licensed in a different juristriction that is performing a clinical
demonstration for educational purposes
What is the timeframe required to notify the board if there are any name changes or
address/email changes (1934) -Correct Answer ✅-The board must be notified within
30 days for all living address and email address changes
The board must be notified within 10 days of a name change
When does a license expire (1935) -Correct Answer ✅-12 midnight On the last day of
the birth month of the applicant on the second year of a 2 year term
License is good for 2 years must renew prior to that day
Can you renew an expired license? (1936) -Correct Answer ✅-Yes, it must be
renewed within 5 years of expiring by filing an application for renewal and paying
accrued renewal and delinquency fees.
California Law and Ethics Dental Hygiene
, California Law and Ethics Dental Hygiene
For what reasons may a license be revoked, suspended, or put on probations (1949) -
Correct Answer ✅-Gross negligence,
Incompetence
Unprofessional conduct
Repeated acts of negligence
Receiving a license by mistake
Why may a licensee get their license revoked, suspended, reprimanded, or put on
probation. (1950) -Correct Answer ✅---If they have committed a crime that is
substantially related to the licensees qualifications, functions or duties
When would the dhcc revoke, suspend, reprimand, or probate the license (1950) -
Correct Answer ✅-*When the time to appeal has lapsed
*When the judgment for conviction has been affirmed on appeal
*When an order granting probation is made suspending the imposition of sentence,
allowing a person to withdraw guilty plea and enter a plea of not guilty, or dismissing
accusation, info, or indicictment--when on probation
When would the committee undertake proceedings under this section? (1950) -Correct
Answer ✅-upon receipt of a certified copy of the record of conviction. A plea or verdict
of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere made to a charge of a felony
or of any misdemeanor related to the licensee's qualifications, functions, or duties
Define Unprofessional conduct -Correct Answer ✅-See law 1950.5
When a licensee is placed on probation what could be the terms of probation (1951) -
Correct Answer ✅-Requirement to receive additional training -or-
Requirement to pass an exam ( the exam can be written, oral, clinical , or practical. Or
all) -or both-
If the probation is because of physical or mental issues, there may be an examination
required by physician
--restriction or limiting of the scope of practice.
---Licensee may need to pay restitution to pts
Community service may be option in lieu of part or all of a period of suspension in cases
other than violations relating to quality of care
It is unprofessional conduct in relation to controlled substances to do what (1952) -
Correct Answer ✅----Obtain or possess a controlled substance
---Use of a controlled substance, dangerous drug or alcoholic beverage to an extent or
manner dangerous to himself, any person, or public.
---be convicted of a charge that is federal or state regarding a controlled substance - or
be convicted of more than one misdemeanor, or any felony, involving the use or
consumption of alcohol or drugs
California Law and Ethics Dental Hygiene
California Law and Ethics Dental Hygiene
Exam Study Questions with Verified
Answers 2025
Direct supervision -Correct Answer ✅-A set of procedures where The dentist must
physically be present in treatment facility
General supervision -Correct Answer ✅-Procedures where the dentist does NOT need
to be physically present in treatment facility
Oral prophylaxis -Correct Answer ✅-Preventative and therapeutic dental procedures
that include
-- bacterial debridements with complete removal of supra and sub calculus, soft
deposits, plaque and stains. And to smooth out tooth surfaces
What is the purpose of the prophylaxis -Correct Answer ✅-To create an environment
for a patient to maintain healthy hard and soft tissues
What does the practice of an rdh include -Correct Answer ✅-Dental hygiene
assessment and development, planning and implementation of a dental hygiene plan.
It also includes oral hygiene education, counseling and health screenings
Dental hygiene does NOT include what -Correct Answer ✅----Diagnosing or
comprehensive treatment plans
---Placing, moving, condensing, carving, removing of permanent restorations
---surgery, or cutting on hard and soft tissue , removing teeth and cutting and suturing
--- prescribing meds
---administering local or general anesthesia or oral or parenteral conscious sedation
other than nitrous oxide and oxygen and allowed local anesthetic.
What can an rdh do under direct supervision? -Correct Answer ✅----Soft-tissue
curettage
---Administration of local anesthesia
---Administration of nitrous oxide and oxygen, whether administered in tandem or alone.
What can an rdh do under general supervision -Correct Answer ✅---- preventative and
therapeutic interventions including : oral prophylaxis, scaling and root planing
---application of topical, therapeutic and subgingival agents used for the control of caries
and periodontal disease.
---the taking of impressions for bleaching trays and activation of non laser, light curing
devices
---the taking of impressions for bleaching trays and placements of in office tooth
whitening devices
California Law and Ethics Dental Hygiene
,California Law and Ethics Dental Hygiene
What can an rdh do without any supervision -Correct Answer ✅--Educational services
-Oral health training programs
-Oral health screenings
*rdh must refer any screened patients with abnormalities to a dentist to receive a
comprehensive exam, diagnosis and a treatment plan
In a government public health program an rdh may provide without supervision the
following: -Correct Answer ✅--oral prophylaxis,srp.
-Fluoride application
-Pit and fissure sealants
* the rdh may submit insurance claims for the services provided under the public health
programs.
No person shall be allowed to practice as a dental hygenist except for what Exceptions -
Correct Answer ✅----a student in a dental/dental hygiene school performing the
curriculum.
---a dental assistant acting under the rules of the dental board may perform the
following:
*taking impressions
*applying fluorides
*applying non-areosol and non caustic topical agents
--- an rda acting under the rules of the dental board my perform the following:
*coronal polishing
*applying bleaching agents
*activating bleaching agents with a non laser light curing device
*applying pit and fissure sealants
---an rdaef can apply a pit and fissure sealant
---a rdh,rdhap,rdhef that is licensed in a different juristriction that is performing a clinical
demonstration for educational purposes
What is the timeframe required to notify the board if there are any name changes or
address/email changes (1934) -Correct Answer ✅-The board must be notified within
30 days for all living address and email address changes
The board must be notified within 10 days of a name change
When does a license expire (1935) -Correct Answer ✅-12 midnight On the last day of
the birth month of the applicant on the second year of a 2 year term
License is good for 2 years must renew prior to that day
Can you renew an expired license? (1936) -Correct Answer ✅-Yes, it must be
renewed within 5 years of expiring by filing an application for renewal and paying
accrued renewal and delinquency fees.
California Law and Ethics Dental Hygiene
, California Law and Ethics Dental Hygiene
For what reasons may a license be revoked, suspended, or put on probations (1949) -
Correct Answer ✅-Gross negligence,
Incompetence
Unprofessional conduct
Repeated acts of negligence
Receiving a license by mistake
Why may a licensee get their license revoked, suspended, reprimanded, or put on
probation. (1950) -Correct Answer ✅---If they have committed a crime that is
substantially related to the licensees qualifications, functions or duties
When would the dhcc revoke, suspend, reprimand, or probate the license (1950) -
Correct Answer ✅-*When the time to appeal has lapsed
*When the judgment for conviction has been affirmed on appeal
*When an order granting probation is made suspending the imposition of sentence,
allowing a person to withdraw guilty plea and enter a plea of not guilty, or dismissing
accusation, info, or indicictment--when on probation
When would the committee undertake proceedings under this section? (1950) -Correct
Answer ✅-upon receipt of a certified copy of the record of conviction. A plea or verdict
of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere made to a charge of a felony
or of any misdemeanor related to the licensee's qualifications, functions, or duties
Define Unprofessional conduct -Correct Answer ✅-See law 1950.5
When a licensee is placed on probation what could be the terms of probation (1951) -
Correct Answer ✅-Requirement to receive additional training -or-
Requirement to pass an exam ( the exam can be written, oral, clinical , or practical. Or
all) -or both-
If the probation is because of physical or mental issues, there may be an examination
required by physician
--restriction or limiting of the scope of practice.
---Licensee may need to pay restitution to pts
Community service may be option in lieu of part or all of a period of suspension in cases
other than violations relating to quality of care
It is unprofessional conduct in relation to controlled substances to do what (1952) -
Correct Answer ✅----Obtain or possess a controlled substance
---Use of a controlled substance, dangerous drug or alcoholic beverage to an extent or
manner dangerous to himself, any person, or public.
---be convicted of a charge that is federal or state regarding a controlled substance - or
be convicted of more than one misdemeanor, or any felony, involving the use or
consumption of alcohol or drugs
California Law and Ethics Dental Hygiene
