MARYLAND DENTIST JURISPRUDENCE
EXAM 2026 | 300 PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS | DETAILED
RATIONALES
MARYLAND DENTIST JURISPRUDENCE EXAM 2026
300 PRACTICE QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS | DETAILED RATIONALES
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
• Comprehensive practice resource featuring 300 evidence-based questions aligned
with Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners jurisprudence standards, ideal for
pre-exam review and mastery assessment
• Study effectively by reviewing each question carefully, comparing your answers
against verified solutions, and revisiting rationales for missed items to reinforce
legal and ethical knowledge
1) Under Maryland dental law, who has the primary authority to regulate the
practice of dentistry in the state?
A) American Dental Association
B) Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners
C) Individual dental practices
D) The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene only
E) Dental hygiene associations
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners
RATIONALE: Maryland Health-General Article § 4-101 establishes the Maryland
State Board of Dental Examiners as the regulatory body with primary authority over
dentistry practice. The ADA sets national standards but does not regulate individual
state practice. The Board enforces licensing, discipline, and scope of practice
regulations specific to Maryland.
,2) What is the minimum number of hours of continuing education required
annually for Maryland dentists to maintain licensure?
A) 10 hours
B) 15 hours
C) 20 hours
D) 25 hours
E) 30 hours
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: A) 10 hours
RATIONALE: Maryland regulations require a minimum of 10 contact hours of
continuing dental education annually for license renewal. At least 2 of these hours
must address jurisprudence, ethics, or practice management topics related to
Maryland dental law compliance.
3) Under Maryland law, which of the following does NOT require a written
patient consent form?
A) Tooth extraction
B) Implant placement
C) Prophylaxis (cleaning)
D) Periodontal surgery
E) Orthodontic treatment
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) Prophylaxis (cleaning)
RATIONALE: Routine prophylaxis is a standard preventive procedure that does not
require a separate informed consent document beyond the general consent to
treatment. However, invasive procedures such as extractions, implants, periodontal
surgery, and orthodontics require explicit written informed consent documenting
risks and alternatives.
,4) What is the legal scope of practice for a registered dental hygienist in
Maryland regarding local anesthesia?
A) Cannot administer local anesthesia under any circumstances
B) Can administer with a standing order from a supervising dentist
C) Can administer independently without supervision
D) Can administer only to patients over age 18
E) Can administer only in hospital settings
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) Can administer with a standing order from a
supervising dentist
RATIONALE: Maryland law permits registered dental hygienists to administer local
anesthesia when authorized by a standing order from a supervising licensed
dentist. Hygienists cannot independently administer anesthesia, and the
supervising dentist must ensure proper training and competency documentation.
5) Which of the following is considered a violation of patient confidentiality
under Maryland law?
A) Sharing patient X-rays with a consulting specialist with patient consent
B) Discussing a patient's treatment plan during staff meetings to ensure quality
care
C) Calling a patient's emergency contact about a missed appointment without
authorization
D) Documenting patient medical history in the patient's dental record
E) Providing patient information to insurance companies for billing purposes
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) Calling a patient's emergency contact about a missed
appointment without authorization
, RATIONALE: HIPAA and Maryland privacy laws prohibit disclosure of protected
health information without patient authorization. Calling an emergency contact to
discuss a missed appointment reveals that the person is a patient and discloses
treatment information without consent. Sharing with specialists (A), internal staff
discussions (B), and insurance submissions (E) are permitted with appropriate
authorizations or business necessity.
6) What is the required infection control standard for sterilizing dental
instruments in Maryland offices?
A) Autoclaving at 250°F for 15 minutes
B) Autoclaving at 250°F for 30 minutes
C) Autoclaving at 270°F for 3 minutes minimum
D) Dry heat sterilization only
E) Chemical sterilization is acceptable as sole method
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) Autoclaving at 270°F for 3 minutes minimum
RATIONALE: Maryland dental regulations require steam autoclaving at 270°F
(132°C) for a minimum of 3 minutes at 15 PSI as the standard sterilization method
for surgical instruments. This meets CDC and OSHA standards for eliminating all
pathogenic organisms including bacterial spores.
7) According to Maryland law, at what age can a minor consent to dental
treatment without parental involvement?
A) 14 years old
B) 16 years old
C) 18 years old
D) Minors cannot consent under any circumstances
E) 15 years old with a guardian's knowledge
EXAM 2026 | 300 PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS | DETAILED
RATIONALES
MARYLAND DENTIST JURISPRUDENCE EXAM 2026
300 PRACTICE QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS | DETAILED RATIONALES
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
• Comprehensive practice resource featuring 300 evidence-based questions aligned
with Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners jurisprudence standards, ideal for
pre-exam review and mastery assessment
• Study effectively by reviewing each question carefully, comparing your answers
against verified solutions, and revisiting rationales for missed items to reinforce
legal and ethical knowledge
1) Under Maryland dental law, who has the primary authority to regulate the
practice of dentistry in the state?
A) American Dental Association
B) Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners
C) Individual dental practices
D) The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene only
E) Dental hygiene associations
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners
RATIONALE: Maryland Health-General Article § 4-101 establishes the Maryland
State Board of Dental Examiners as the regulatory body with primary authority over
dentistry practice. The ADA sets national standards but does not regulate individual
state practice. The Board enforces licensing, discipline, and scope of practice
regulations specific to Maryland.
,2) What is the minimum number of hours of continuing education required
annually for Maryland dentists to maintain licensure?
A) 10 hours
B) 15 hours
C) 20 hours
D) 25 hours
E) 30 hours
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: A) 10 hours
RATIONALE: Maryland regulations require a minimum of 10 contact hours of
continuing dental education annually for license renewal. At least 2 of these hours
must address jurisprudence, ethics, or practice management topics related to
Maryland dental law compliance.
3) Under Maryland law, which of the following does NOT require a written
patient consent form?
A) Tooth extraction
B) Implant placement
C) Prophylaxis (cleaning)
D) Periodontal surgery
E) Orthodontic treatment
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) Prophylaxis (cleaning)
RATIONALE: Routine prophylaxis is a standard preventive procedure that does not
require a separate informed consent document beyond the general consent to
treatment. However, invasive procedures such as extractions, implants, periodontal
surgery, and orthodontics require explicit written informed consent documenting
risks and alternatives.
,4) What is the legal scope of practice for a registered dental hygienist in
Maryland regarding local anesthesia?
A) Cannot administer local anesthesia under any circumstances
B) Can administer with a standing order from a supervising dentist
C) Can administer independently without supervision
D) Can administer only to patients over age 18
E) Can administer only in hospital settings
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) Can administer with a standing order from a
supervising dentist
RATIONALE: Maryland law permits registered dental hygienists to administer local
anesthesia when authorized by a standing order from a supervising licensed
dentist. Hygienists cannot independently administer anesthesia, and the
supervising dentist must ensure proper training and competency documentation.
5) Which of the following is considered a violation of patient confidentiality
under Maryland law?
A) Sharing patient X-rays with a consulting specialist with patient consent
B) Discussing a patient's treatment plan during staff meetings to ensure quality
care
C) Calling a patient's emergency contact about a missed appointment without
authorization
D) Documenting patient medical history in the patient's dental record
E) Providing patient information to insurance companies for billing purposes
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) Calling a patient's emergency contact about a missed
appointment without authorization
, RATIONALE: HIPAA and Maryland privacy laws prohibit disclosure of protected
health information without patient authorization. Calling an emergency contact to
discuss a missed appointment reveals that the person is a patient and discloses
treatment information without consent. Sharing with specialists (A), internal staff
discussions (B), and insurance submissions (E) are permitted with appropriate
authorizations or business necessity.
6) What is the required infection control standard for sterilizing dental
instruments in Maryland offices?
A) Autoclaving at 250°F for 15 minutes
B) Autoclaving at 250°F for 30 minutes
C) Autoclaving at 270°F for 3 minutes minimum
D) Dry heat sterilization only
E) Chemical sterilization is acceptable as sole method
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) Autoclaving at 270°F for 3 minutes minimum
RATIONALE: Maryland dental regulations require steam autoclaving at 270°F
(132°C) for a minimum of 3 minutes at 15 PSI as the standard sterilization method
for surgical instruments. This meets CDC and OSHA standards for eliminating all
pathogenic organisms including bacterial spores.
7) According to Maryland law, at what age can a minor consent to dental
treatment without parental involvement?
A) 14 years old
B) 16 years old
C) 18 years old
D) Minors cannot consent under any circumstances
E) 15 years old with a guardian's knowledge
