PSI California Dental Law & Ethics Exam 2026/2027
PSI CALIFORNIA DENTAL LAW AND ETHICS EXAM
2026/2027
100 QUESTIONS | ACTUAL EXAM | VERIFIED ANSWERS
100% CORRECT | GRADED A+
PSI California Dental Law & Ethics
State Licensing Examination (Dental Board of California)
Page 1 of 23
, PSI California Dental Law & Ethics Exam 2026/2027
Exam Structure
• 100 multiple-choice questions (official California Dentistry Law & Ethics Examination count per
Dental Board of California: 50% Law, 50% Ethics)
• Questions must be presented in bold
• Single-best-answer and scenario-based dental jurisprudence items
• Focus on California-specific statutes, ethical standards, and evidence-based regulatory compliance
• Total testing time: Approximately 90 minutes (computer-based, proctored format at PSI testing
centers)
• Passing score: 75% required for licensure eligibility
Introduction
This PSI California Dental Law and Ethics Exam format for 2026/2027 reflects the standardized
assessment administered by the Dental Board of California to evaluate competency in state-specific
legal and ethical requirements for dental licensure. The exam measures knowledge of the California
Dental Practice Act, patient confidentiality laws, scope of practice regulations, OSHA compliance,
mandated reporting, consent protocols, prescribing requirements, professional ethics, and scenario-
based decision-making essential for lawful, ethical dental practice in California. The official California
Dentistry Law & Ethics Examination consists of exactly 100 multiple-choice questions with content
evenly divided between Law (50%) and Ethics (50%) domains.
Answer Format
All correct answers must be presented in bold and green, each question must appear in bold, and
all rationales explaining California Dental Practice Act applications, ethical principles, regulatory
compliance protocols, and scenario-based legal reasoning must be written in italic font.
Core Domains
The examination covers the following core domains:
1. California Dental Practice Act & Business/Professions Code Compliance
2. Patient Information Management & HIPAA/Confidentiality Laws
3. Dental Practice Ownership & Advertising Regulations
4. Scope of Practice & Auxiliary Supervision
5. OSHA/Cal-OSHA Standards & Hazardous Waste Management
6. Mandated Reporting & Patient Abuse/Neglect Protocols
7. Consent to Treat & Telehealth Legal Requirements
8. Prescribing Laws & CURES Compliance
9. Ethical Patient Education & Informed Consent
10. Professional Conduct & Continuity of Care Standards
11. Scenario-Based Legal/Ethical Decision-Making in Dental Practice
1. According to the California Dental Practice Act, which entity has the authority to
revoke or suspend a dentist's license?
A) The California State Assembly
B) The Dental Board of California
C) The California Medical Board
D) The Governor of California
Correct Answer: B) The Dental Board of California
Page 2 of 23
, PSI California Dental Law & Ethics Exam 2026/2027
Rationale: The Dental Board of California has the statutory authority to issue, deny, revoke, or
suspend dental licenses. This authority is granted under the Business and Professions Code and
the California Dental Practice Act.
2. What is the primary purpose of the California Dental Practice Act?
A) To establish dental fees across the state
B) To protect the public from unlicensed and incompetent dental practice
C) To regulate dental insurance companies
D) To set educational requirements for dental schools
Correct Answer: B) To protect the public from unlicensed and incompetent dental
practice
Rationale: The primary purpose of the Dental Practice Act is public protection. It establishes
standards for licensure, defines scope of practice, and provides enforcement mechanisms
against unlicensed or negligent practitioners.
3. Under the Business and Professions Code, which action constitutes grounds for
disciplinary action against a dentist?
A) Charging fees lower than the average in the area
B) Gross negligence in the practice of dentistry
C) Working part-time at multiple locations
D) Accepting cash payments from patients
Correct Answer: B) Gross negligence in the practice of dentistry
Rationale: Gross negligence is explicitly listed in the Business and Professions Code as grounds
for disciplinary action. The Board may revoke or suspend licenses for conduct that demonstrates
a severe departure from the standard of care.
4. How often must a dentist renew their license with the Dental Board of California?
A) Every year
B) Every two years
C) Every three years
D) Every five years
Correct Answer: B) Every two years
Rationale: California dental licenses must be renewed every two years. Dentists must complete
required continuing education units and pay renewal fees to maintain an active license status.
5. What is the consequence of practicing dentistry with an expired license in California?
A) A warning letter from the Dental Board
B) A fine of $100
C) The practice is considered unlicensed practice and may result in disciplinary action
D) No consequence if the license expired within the last 30 days
Correct Answer: C) The practice is considered unlicensed practice and may result in
disciplinary action
Rationale: Practicing with an expired license is considered unlicensed practice under California
law. This can result in citation, fines, and disciplinary action. Dentists must ensure timely
renewal before the expiration date.
6. Which statement regarding the Dental Board of California's composition is correct?
A) All members must be licensed dentists
B) The Board consists of both dentist and public members appointed by the Governor
C) Board members serve lifetime appointments
D) Only orthodontists can serve on the Board
Page 3 of 23
PSI CALIFORNIA DENTAL LAW AND ETHICS EXAM
2026/2027
100 QUESTIONS | ACTUAL EXAM | VERIFIED ANSWERS
100% CORRECT | GRADED A+
PSI California Dental Law & Ethics
State Licensing Examination (Dental Board of California)
Page 1 of 23
, PSI California Dental Law & Ethics Exam 2026/2027
Exam Structure
• 100 multiple-choice questions (official California Dentistry Law & Ethics Examination count per
Dental Board of California: 50% Law, 50% Ethics)
• Questions must be presented in bold
• Single-best-answer and scenario-based dental jurisprudence items
• Focus on California-specific statutes, ethical standards, and evidence-based regulatory compliance
• Total testing time: Approximately 90 minutes (computer-based, proctored format at PSI testing
centers)
• Passing score: 75% required for licensure eligibility
Introduction
This PSI California Dental Law and Ethics Exam format for 2026/2027 reflects the standardized
assessment administered by the Dental Board of California to evaluate competency in state-specific
legal and ethical requirements for dental licensure. The exam measures knowledge of the California
Dental Practice Act, patient confidentiality laws, scope of practice regulations, OSHA compliance,
mandated reporting, consent protocols, prescribing requirements, professional ethics, and scenario-
based decision-making essential for lawful, ethical dental practice in California. The official California
Dentistry Law & Ethics Examination consists of exactly 100 multiple-choice questions with content
evenly divided between Law (50%) and Ethics (50%) domains.
Answer Format
All correct answers must be presented in bold and green, each question must appear in bold, and
all rationales explaining California Dental Practice Act applications, ethical principles, regulatory
compliance protocols, and scenario-based legal reasoning must be written in italic font.
Core Domains
The examination covers the following core domains:
1. California Dental Practice Act & Business/Professions Code Compliance
2. Patient Information Management & HIPAA/Confidentiality Laws
3. Dental Practice Ownership & Advertising Regulations
4. Scope of Practice & Auxiliary Supervision
5. OSHA/Cal-OSHA Standards & Hazardous Waste Management
6. Mandated Reporting & Patient Abuse/Neglect Protocols
7. Consent to Treat & Telehealth Legal Requirements
8. Prescribing Laws & CURES Compliance
9. Ethical Patient Education & Informed Consent
10. Professional Conduct & Continuity of Care Standards
11. Scenario-Based Legal/Ethical Decision-Making in Dental Practice
1. According to the California Dental Practice Act, which entity has the authority to
revoke or suspend a dentist's license?
A) The California State Assembly
B) The Dental Board of California
C) The California Medical Board
D) The Governor of California
Correct Answer: B) The Dental Board of California
Page 2 of 23
, PSI California Dental Law & Ethics Exam 2026/2027
Rationale: The Dental Board of California has the statutory authority to issue, deny, revoke, or
suspend dental licenses. This authority is granted under the Business and Professions Code and
the California Dental Practice Act.
2. What is the primary purpose of the California Dental Practice Act?
A) To establish dental fees across the state
B) To protect the public from unlicensed and incompetent dental practice
C) To regulate dental insurance companies
D) To set educational requirements for dental schools
Correct Answer: B) To protect the public from unlicensed and incompetent dental
practice
Rationale: The primary purpose of the Dental Practice Act is public protection. It establishes
standards for licensure, defines scope of practice, and provides enforcement mechanisms
against unlicensed or negligent practitioners.
3. Under the Business and Professions Code, which action constitutes grounds for
disciplinary action against a dentist?
A) Charging fees lower than the average in the area
B) Gross negligence in the practice of dentistry
C) Working part-time at multiple locations
D) Accepting cash payments from patients
Correct Answer: B) Gross negligence in the practice of dentistry
Rationale: Gross negligence is explicitly listed in the Business and Professions Code as grounds
for disciplinary action. The Board may revoke or suspend licenses for conduct that demonstrates
a severe departure from the standard of care.
4. How often must a dentist renew their license with the Dental Board of California?
A) Every year
B) Every two years
C) Every three years
D) Every five years
Correct Answer: B) Every two years
Rationale: California dental licenses must be renewed every two years. Dentists must complete
required continuing education units and pay renewal fees to maintain an active license status.
5. What is the consequence of practicing dentistry with an expired license in California?
A) A warning letter from the Dental Board
B) A fine of $100
C) The practice is considered unlicensed practice and may result in disciplinary action
D) No consequence if the license expired within the last 30 days
Correct Answer: C) The practice is considered unlicensed practice and may result in
disciplinary action
Rationale: Practicing with an expired license is considered unlicensed practice under California
law. This can result in citation, fines, and disciplinary action. Dentists must ensure timely
renewal before the expiration date.
6. Which statement regarding the Dental Board of California's composition is correct?
A) All members must be licensed dentists
B) The Board consists of both dentist and public members appointed by the Governor
C) Board members serve lifetime appointments
D) Only orthodontists can serve on the Board
Page 3 of 23
