South Carolina
Dental Jurisprudence
Latest Exam Review
(Questions & Solutions)
2025
1
,1. Under South Carolina law, which procedure may be delegated to a
Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) under general supervision ?
A. Administering local anesthesia
B. Taking intraoral digital radiographs
C. Placing temporary crowns
D. Extracting primary teeth
ANS: B
Rationale: General supervision allows RDAs to perform noninvasive
tasks like radiography once authorized by a dentist; anesthesia and
extractions require direct dentist oversight.
2. A licensed dental hygienist, after completing a Board-approved
anesthesia course, may administer nitrous oxide–oxygen sedation under
which supervision level?
A. Personal
B. Direct
C. General
D. Indirect
ANS: B
Rationale: “Direct supervision” in SC mandates the dentist be
physically present in the office and immediately available to intervene if
needed.
3. Which ethical principle requires a dentist to refrain from
overtreatment or unnecessary procedures?
A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Nonmaleficence
D. Justice
ANS: C
2
, Rationale: Nonmaleficence (“do no harm”) obliges the dentist to
avoid procedures that may risk patient well-being without benefit.
4. South Carolina law requires retention of adult patient dental records
for a minimum of:
A. 3 years after last treatment
B. 5 years after last treatment
C. 6 years after last treatment
D. 10 years after last treatment
ANS: B
Rationale: SC regulations mandate at least five years of record
retention for adults; records for minors must be kept until age 19 or five
years post-treatment, whichever is longer.
5. A dentist prescribes oxycodone for a new patient without a prior in-
office exam. This violates:
A. SC Controlled Substances Act
B. Dental Practice Act
C. Patient Abuse Reporting Law
D. Freedom of Information Act
ANS: A
Rationale: Schedule II controlled substances in SC require an
established dentist–patient relationship including a face-to-face
examination.
6. In a South Carolina malpractice lawsuit, the standard of proof is:
A. Beyond a reasonable doubt
B. Clear and convincing evidence
C. Preponderance of the evidence
D. Absolute certainty
ANS: C
Rationale: Civil malpractice actions require proof by a
3
Dental Jurisprudence
Latest Exam Review
(Questions & Solutions)
2025
1
,1. Under South Carolina law, which procedure may be delegated to a
Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) under general supervision ?
A. Administering local anesthesia
B. Taking intraoral digital radiographs
C. Placing temporary crowns
D. Extracting primary teeth
ANS: B
Rationale: General supervision allows RDAs to perform noninvasive
tasks like radiography once authorized by a dentist; anesthesia and
extractions require direct dentist oversight.
2. A licensed dental hygienist, after completing a Board-approved
anesthesia course, may administer nitrous oxide–oxygen sedation under
which supervision level?
A. Personal
B. Direct
C. General
D. Indirect
ANS: B
Rationale: “Direct supervision” in SC mandates the dentist be
physically present in the office and immediately available to intervene if
needed.
3. Which ethical principle requires a dentist to refrain from
overtreatment or unnecessary procedures?
A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Nonmaleficence
D. Justice
ANS: C
2
, Rationale: Nonmaleficence (“do no harm”) obliges the dentist to
avoid procedures that may risk patient well-being without benefit.
4. South Carolina law requires retention of adult patient dental records
for a minimum of:
A. 3 years after last treatment
B. 5 years after last treatment
C. 6 years after last treatment
D. 10 years after last treatment
ANS: B
Rationale: SC regulations mandate at least five years of record
retention for adults; records for minors must be kept until age 19 or five
years post-treatment, whichever is longer.
5. A dentist prescribes oxycodone for a new patient without a prior in-
office exam. This violates:
A. SC Controlled Substances Act
B. Dental Practice Act
C. Patient Abuse Reporting Law
D. Freedom of Information Act
ANS: A
Rationale: Schedule II controlled substances in SC require an
established dentist–patient relationship including a face-to-face
examination.
6. In a South Carolina malpractice lawsuit, the standard of proof is:
A. Beyond a reasonable doubt
B. Clear and convincing evidence
C. Preponderance of the evidence
D. Absolute certainty
ANS: C
Rationale: Civil malpractice actions require proof by a
3
