Maryland Dental Jurisprudence
Final Test Review
(Questions & Solutions)
2025
1
, 1. (Multiple Choice)
In Maryland, which of the following procedures is within a dental
hygienist’s scope of practice when performed under appropriate
supervision?
A. Administering local anesthesia without additional credentials
B. Performing oral prophylaxis (scaling and polishing)
C. Fabricating indirect restorations
D. Conducting full restorative procedures
ANS: B
Rationale: Maryland permits dental hygienists to perform preventive
procedures like scaling and polishing under dentist supervision. Invasive
restorative or anesthetic procedures require direct involvement or
additional certification of the dentist.
---
2. (Fill-in-the-Blank)
In Maryland, delegation of non‑clinical functions, such as record‑keeping
and instrument processing, to a dental assistant is acceptable under
__________ supervision.
ANS: indirect
Rationale: Under Maryland regulations, non‑clinical tasks may be
delegated with indirect supervision, meaning the dentist must be
available for consultation but need not be physically present at all times.
---
3. (True/False)
True or False: A dental assistant in Maryland may independently perform
operative procedures if they have received sufficient on‑the‑job training.
2
, ANS: False
Rationale: Maryland law requires that dental assistants perform clinical
tasks only under direct or indirect supervision by a licensed dentist;
independent practice is not permitted regardless of training.
---
4. (Multiple Response)
Select all tasks a Maryland dentist may delegate to a licensed dental
hygienist under proper supervision:
• Taking intraoral radiographs
• Applying topical fluoride treatments
• Performing periodontal scaling
• Diagnosing dental caries
ANSs: Taking intraoral radiographs; Applying topical fluoride
treatments; Performing periodontal scaling
Rationale: Under Maryland law, dental hygienists may perform
diagnostic and preventive procedures, but they are not authorized to
diagnose conditions such as dental caries—which remains exclusively
within the dentist’s scope.
---
5. (Multiple Choice)
Which level of supervision in a Maryland dental office requires that the
dentist be physically present in the operatory during the procedure?
A. Indirect supervision
B. General supervision
C. Direct supervision
D. Remote supervision
ANS: C
Rationale: “Direct supervision” necessitates that the dentist is
3
Final Test Review
(Questions & Solutions)
2025
1
, 1. (Multiple Choice)
In Maryland, which of the following procedures is within a dental
hygienist’s scope of practice when performed under appropriate
supervision?
A. Administering local anesthesia without additional credentials
B. Performing oral prophylaxis (scaling and polishing)
C. Fabricating indirect restorations
D. Conducting full restorative procedures
ANS: B
Rationale: Maryland permits dental hygienists to perform preventive
procedures like scaling and polishing under dentist supervision. Invasive
restorative or anesthetic procedures require direct involvement or
additional certification of the dentist.
---
2. (Fill-in-the-Blank)
In Maryland, delegation of non‑clinical functions, such as record‑keeping
and instrument processing, to a dental assistant is acceptable under
__________ supervision.
ANS: indirect
Rationale: Under Maryland regulations, non‑clinical tasks may be
delegated with indirect supervision, meaning the dentist must be
available for consultation but need not be physically present at all times.
---
3. (True/False)
True or False: A dental assistant in Maryland may independently perform
operative procedures if they have received sufficient on‑the‑job training.
2
, ANS: False
Rationale: Maryland law requires that dental assistants perform clinical
tasks only under direct or indirect supervision by a licensed dentist;
independent practice is not permitted regardless of training.
---
4. (Multiple Response)
Select all tasks a Maryland dentist may delegate to a licensed dental
hygienist under proper supervision:
• Taking intraoral radiographs
• Applying topical fluoride treatments
• Performing periodontal scaling
• Diagnosing dental caries
ANSs: Taking intraoral radiographs; Applying topical fluoride
treatments; Performing periodontal scaling
Rationale: Under Maryland law, dental hygienists may perform
diagnostic and preventive procedures, but they are not authorized to
diagnose conditions such as dental caries—which remains exclusively
within the dentist’s scope.
---
5. (Multiple Choice)
Which level of supervision in a Maryland dental office requires that the
dentist be physically present in the operatory during the procedure?
A. Indirect supervision
B. General supervision
C. Direct supervision
D. Remote supervision
ANS: C
Rationale: “Direct supervision” necessitates that the dentist is
3
