NORTH CAROLINA DENTISTRY
JURISPRUDENCE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
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1. The agency responsible for regulating the practice of dentistry in North
Carolina is the
A. North Carolina Dental Association
B. North Carolina Department of Health
C. North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners
D. North Carolina Medical Board
Rationale: The North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners is the
licensing authority responsible for regulating dental professionals and
enforcing the Dental Practice Act.
2. Before a dentist may prescribe controlled substances, they must obtain a
valid
A. State dental license
B. DEA registration
C. DEA registration number
D. Prescription pad
Rationale: A DEA registration number authorizes a dentist to prescribe
controlled substances.
3. Informed consent in dentistry requires that the patient understands
A. The cost only
B. The risks, benefits, alternatives, and consequences of no treatment
C. Only the risks of the procedure
D. Only benefits of the procedure
, Rationale: Informed consent requires clear communication about risks,
benefits, alternatives, and what happens if treatment is declined.
4. Dental records must be kept for a minimum of
A. 1 year
B. 3 years
C. 5 years
D. 7 years
Rationale: North Carolina regulations require dental records retention for
a minimum of 3 years from last date of treatment.
5. A dentist who delegates procedures must ensure proper
A. Licensure only
B. Payment
C. Supervision
D. Marketing
Rationale: Delegation in dentistry must be accompanied by appropriate
supervision to ensure patient safety.
6. The term “standard of care” refers to
A. Lowest acceptable treatment
B. Level of care that a reasonably prudent dentist would provide
C. Most expensive treatment
D. Treatment requested by patient
Rationale: Standard of care is based on what a prudent dentist would do
under similar circumstances.
7. A dental license in North Carolina must be renewed every
A. Year
B. Two years
C. Three years
D. Four years
Rationale: Dental licenses in NC are biennial and require renewal on
odd-numbered years.
8. Continuing education credits must be obtained by dentists to maintain
licensure; the total required in NC is
A. 10 hours
, B. 20 hours
C. 40 hours
D. 60 hours
Rationale: NC dentists must obtain 40 hours of continuing education every
2 years.
9. A dentist may prescribe opioids for acute pain for adults for no more than
A. 3 days
B. 7 days
C. 10 days
D. 14 days
Rationale: NC law limits acute opioid prescriptions to 7 days for adults
unless medically justified.
10.Expired medications in a dental office must be
A. Left until used
B. Returned to manufacturer
C. Properly disposed of as regulated medical waste
D. Donated
Rationale: Expired drugs are regulated and must be disposed of according
to law.
11.The scope of practice for a dental hygienist under general supervision
means the hygienist may
A. Diagnose disease
B. Perform scaling and prophylaxis without dentist present
C. Extract teeth
D. Prescribe drugs
Rationale: General supervision allows hygienists to perform delegated
tasks without the dentist on site.
12.Mandatory reporting by dentists includes situations such as
A. Advertising violations
B. Billing errors
C. Suspected child abuse
D. Unpaid fees
JURISPRUDENCE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. The agency responsible for regulating the practice of dentistry in North
Carolina is the
A. North Carolina Dental Association
B. North Carolina Department of Health
C. North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners
D. North Carolina Medical Board
Rationale: The North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners is the
licensing authority responsible for regulating dental professionals and
enforcing the Dental Practice Act.
2. Before a dentist may prescribe controlled substances, they must obtain a
valid
A. State dental license
B. DEA registration
C. DEA registration number
D. Prescription pad
Rationale: A DEA registration number authorizes a dentist to prescribe
controlled substances.
3. Informed consent in dentistry requires that the patient understands
A. The cost only
B. The risks, benefits, alternatives, and consequences of no treatment
C. Only the risks of the procedure
D. Only benefits of the procedure
, Rationale: Informed consent requires clear communication about risks,
benefits, alternatives, and what happens if treatment is declined.
4. Dental records must be kept for a minimum of
A. 1 year
B. 3 years
C. 5 years
D. 7 years
Rationale: North Carolina regulations require dental records retention for
a minimum of 3 years from last date of treatment.
5. A dentist who delegates procedures must ensure proper
A. Licensure only
B. Payment
C. Supervision
D. Marketing
Rationale: Delegation in dentistry must be accompanied by appropriate
supervision to ensure patient safety.
6. The term “standard of care” refers to
A. Lowest acceptable treatment
B. Level of care that a reasonably prudent dentist would provide
C. Most expensive treatment
D. Treatment requested by patient
Rationale: Standard of care is based on what a prudent dentist would do
under similar circumstances.
7. A dental license in North Carolina must be renewed every
A. Year
B. Two years
C. Three years
D. Four years
Rationale: Dental licenses in NC are biennial and require renewal on
odd-numbered years.
8. Continuing education credits must be obtained by dentists to maintain
licensure; the total required in NC is
A. 10 hours
, B. 20 hours
C. 40 hours
D. 60 hours
Rationale: NC dentists must obtain 40 hours of continuing education every
2 years.
9. A dentist may prescribe opioids for acute pain for adults for no more than
A. 3 days
B. 7 days
C. 10 days
D. 14 days
Rationale: NC law limits acute opioid prescriptions to 7 days for adults
unless medically justified.
10.Expired medications in a dental office must be
A. Left until used
B. Returned to manufacturer
C. Properly disposed of as regulated medical waste
D. Donated
Rationale: Expired drugs are regulated and must be disposed of according
to law.
11.The scope of practice for a dental hygienist under general supervision
means the hygienist may
A. Diagnose disease
B. Perform scaling and prophylaxis without dentist present
C. Extract teeth
D. Prescribe drugs
Rationale: General supervision allows hygienists to perform delegated
tasks without the dentist on site.
12.Mandatory reporting by dentists includes situations such as
A. Advertising violations
B. Billing errors
C. Suspected child abuse
D. Unpaid fees
