Washington
Dental Jurisprudence
Complete Exam Review
(With Solutions)
2026
1
,1. Case: A dental hygienist performs scaling while the dentist is in the
office but not in the operatory.
Question: Which level of supervision applies under Washington
law?
- A. Direct supervision
- B. Indirect supervision
- C. General supervision
- D. Personal supervision
Answer: B. Indirect supervision
Rationale: Dentist is present in office, available for consultation, but
not physically in the room.
---
2. Case: A dental assistant applies fluoride varnish after dentist
authorization but without dentist present.
Question: Which supervision level applies?
- A. General supervision
- B. Direct supervision
- C. Indirect supervision
- D. Personal supervision
Answer: A. General supervision
Rationale: Dentist authorizes procedure but does not need to be
present.
---
3. Case: A hygienist is asked to administer local anesthesia.
Question: Which requirement must be met in Washington?
- A. Dentist must be present and authorize
- B. Hygienist can perform independently
- C. Assistant can substitute
2
, - D. No supervision required
Answer: A. Dentist must be present and authorize
Rationale: Local anesthesia requires direct supervision.
---
4. Case: A dental assistant is asked to diagnose caries.
Question: Which response is correct?
- A. Allowed under general supervision
- B. Allowed under indirect supervision
- C. Not within scope of practice
- D. Allowed if dentist delegates
Answer: C. Not within scope of practice
Rationale: Diagnosis is reserved for licensed dentists.
---
5. Case: A patient requests records.
Question: Which ethical principle applies?
- A. Autonomy
- B. Beneficence
- C. Justice
- D. Veracity
Answer: A. Autonomy
Rationale: Patients have the right to access their records.
---
6. Case: A dentist refuses treatment based on patient’s insurance
status.
Question: Which ethical principle is violated?
- A. Justice
- B. Beneficence
- C. Fidelity
- D. Autonomy
3
Dental Jurisprudence
Complete Exam Review
(With Solutions)
2026
1
,1. Case: A dental hygienist performs scaling while the dentist is in the
office but not in the operatory.
Question: Which level of supervision applies under Washington
law?
- A. Direct supervision
- B. Indirect supervision
- C. General supervision
- D. Personal supervision
Answer: B. Indirect supervision
Rationale: Dentist is present in office, available for consultation, but
not physically in the room.
---
2. Case: A dental assistant applies fluoride varnish after dentist
authorization but without dentist present.
Question: Which supervision level applies?
- A. General supervision
- B. Direct supervision
- C. Indirect supervision
- D. Personal supervision
Answer: A. General supervision
Rationale: Dentist authorizes procedure but does not need to be
present.
---
3. Case: A hygienist is asked to administer local anesthesia.
Question: Which requirement must be met in Washington?
- A. Dentist must be present and authorize
- B. Hygienist can perform independently
- C. Assistant can substitute
2
, - D. No supervision required
Answer: A. Dentist must be present and authorize
Rationale: Local anesthesia requires direct supervision.
---
4. Case: A dental assistant is asked to diagnose caries.
Question: Which response is correct?
- A. Allowed under general supervision
- B. Allowed under indirect supervision
- C. Not within scope of practice
- D. Allowed if dentist delegates
Answer: C. Not within scope of practice
Rationale: Diagnosis is reserved for licensed dentists.
---
5. Case: A patient requests records.
Question: Which ethical principle applies?
- A. Autonomy
- B. Beneficence
- C. Justice
- D. Veracity
Answer: A. Autonomy
Rationale: Patients have the right to access their records.
---
6. Case: A dentist refuses treatment based on patient’s insurance
status.
Question: Which ethical principle is violated?
- A. Justice
- B. Beneficence
- C. Fidelity
- D. Autonomy
3
