Florida Dental Laws and Rules Exam
Questions and Verified Answers
Question 1: Under Florida Statutes Chapter 466, which individual is authorized to perform a
routine dental prophylaxis?
A. Dental assistant without expanded functions certification
B. Registered dental hygienist
C. Dental laboratory technician
D. Unlicensed dental office manager
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Registered dental hygienist
Rationale: Florida Statute §466.023(1) defines the practice of dentistry and authorizes
registered dental hygienists to perform prophylaxis, scaling, root planing, and other preventive
procedures under appropriate supervision. Dental assistants without expanded functions
certification (A) cannot perform prophylaxis. Laboratory technicians (C) and office managers (D)
are not licensed to perform clinical procedures.
#Tags: #ScopeOfPractice #DentalHygienist #Chapter466
Question 2: According to Florida Administrative Code Rule 64B5-15.008, how often must dental
offices sterilize handpieces and other intraoral instruments?
A. After each patient use
B. Once daily
C. Once weekly
D. Only when visibly soiled
CORRECT ANSWER: A. After each patient use
Rationale: Rule 64B5-15.008(2)(a) requires that all handpieces and intraoral instruments be
heat-sterilized after each patient use to prevent cross-contamination. Daily (B), weekly (C), or
"as needed" (D) sterilization does not comply with Florida infection control standards.
#Tags: #InfectionControl #Sterilization #Rule64B5
Question 3: Under Florida law, which controlled substance schedule requires a mandatory E-
FORCSE (PDMP) query before initial prescribing for acute pain?
A. Schedule II only
B. Schedule II and III
C. Schedule II, III, IV, and V
,D. No query required for dental prescribing
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Schedule II and III
Rationale: Florida Statute §893.055 requires prescribers to query E-FORCSE before initially
prescribing a controlled substance listed in Schedule II or III for acute pain. This applies to
opioids commonly prescribed in dentistry. Querying all schedules (C) is not required by law.
Dental prescribers are not exempt (D).
#Tags: #PrescribingLaws #E-FORCSE #ControlledSubstances
Question 4: A Florida-licensed dentist prescribes an opioid for acute dental pain. What is the
MAXIMUM day supply allowed for an adult patient under Florida law?
A. 3-day supply
B. 7-day supply
C. 14-day supply
D. 30-day supply
CORRECT ANSWER: A. 3-day supply
Rationale: Florida Statute §458.311(5) (adopted for dentistry via §466.028) limits initial opioid
prescriptions for acute pain to a 3-day supply for adult patients. Exceptions exist for chronic
pain, cancer, palliative care, or specific clinical circumstances with documentation. A 7-day
supply (B) was the prior limit but was reduced to 3 days in 2023.
#Tags: #OpioidPrescribing #AcutePain #FloridaLaw
Question 5: Under Rule 64B5-15.010, which infection control practice is REQUIRED for dental
unit waterlines?
A. Flush waterlines for 20-30 seconds between patients
B. Use only distilled water in reservoirs
C. Test water quality annually for bacterial counts
D. Both A and C
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Both A and C
Rationale: Rule 64B5-15.010(4) requires flushing dental unit waterlines for 20-30 seconds
between patients AND periodic testing to ensure water meets EPA drinking water standards
(<500 CFU/mL). Using distilled water (B) alone is insufficient without flushing and testing.
#Tags: #InfectionControl #WaterlineManagement #Rule64B5
,Question 6: A Florida dental hygienist may administer local anesthesia under which level of
supervision?
A. General supervision
B. Direct supervision
C. Indirect supervision
D. No supervision required
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Direct supervision
Rationale: Florida Statute §466.023(3) and Rule 64B5-8.004 require that administration of local
anesthesia by a dental hygienist be performed under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist
(dentist must be present in the office). General supervision (A) is not sufficient for this
procedure.
#Tags: #DentalHygienist #LocalAnesthesia #SupervisionLevels
Question 7: Under Florida law, how long must dental records be retained after the last patient
encounter?
A. 2 years
B. 5 years
C. 7 years
D. Indefinitely
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 7 years
Rationale: Rule 64B5-12.001(1) requires dental records to be retained for at least 7 years from
the date of the last patient encounter. For minors, records must be kept until age 18 plus 7 years
(i.e., until age 25). Two years (A) and 5 years (B) are insufficient.
#Tags: #RecordKeeping #RetentionRequirements #Rule64B5
Question 8: Which dental auxiliary is authorized to place and carve amalgam restorations in
Florida?
A. Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) without expanded functions
B. Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) with appropriate certification
C. Registered Dental Hygienist
D. Dental Laboratory Technician
, CORRECT ANSWER: B. Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) with appropriate
certification
Rationale: Rule 64B5-8.005 authorizes Expanded Functions Dental Assistants who have
completed Board-approved training and certification to place and carve amalgam restorations
under direct supervision. Standard CDAs (A), hygienists (C), and lab techs (D) are not authorized
for this procedure.
#Tags: #ExpandedFunctions #DentalAssistant #ScopeOfPractice
Question 9: Under Florida law, which mandatory continuing education topic must be completed
at each biennial renewal cycle?
A. Medical errors prevention
B. Domestic violence recognition
C. HIV/AIDS education
D. All of the above
CORRECT ANSWER: D. All of the above
Rationale: Rule 64B5-16.002 requires Florida dental licensees to complete 2 hours each of
medical errors prevention, domestic violence recognition, and HIV/AIDS education at each
biennial renewal (in addition to general CE hours). All three topics are mandatory.
#Tags: #ContinuingEducation #MandatoryTopics #Rule64B5
Question 10: A Florida dentist suspects a patient is a victim of child abuse. Within what
timeframe must a report be filed with the Florida Abuse Hotline?
A. Immediately, but no later than 24 hours
B. Within 48 hours
C. Within 7 days
D. Only if the patient confirms abuse
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Immediately, but no later than 24 hours
Rationale: Florida Statute §39.201 requires mandated reporters, including dentists, to report
suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect immediately, but no later than 24 hours after
Questions and Verified Answers
Question 1: Under Florida Statutes Chapter 466, which individual is authorized to perform a
routine dental prophylaxis?
A. Dental assistant without expanded functions certification
B. Registered dental hygienist
C. Dental laboratory technician
D. Unlicensed dental office manager
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Registered dental hygienist
Rationale: Florida Statute §466.023(1) defines the practice of dentistry and authorizes
registered dental hygienists to perform prophylaxis, scaling, root planing, and other preventive
procedures under appropriate supervision. Dental assistants without expanded functions
certification (A) cannot perform prophylaxis. Laboratory technicians (C) and office managers (D)
are not licensed to perform clinical procedures.
#Tags: #ScopeOfPractice #DentalHygienist #Chapter466
Question 2: According to Florida Administrative Code Rule 64B5-15.008, how often must dental
offices sterilize handpieces and other intraoral instruments?
A. After each patient use
B. Once daily
C. Once weekly
D. Only when visibly soiled
CORRECT ANSWER: A. After each patient use
Rationale: Rule 64B5-15.008(2)(a) requires that all handpieces and intraoral instruments be
heat-sterilized after each patient use to prevent cross-contamination. Daily (B), weekly (C), or
"as needed" (D) sterilization does not comply with Florida infection control standards.
#Tags: #InfectionControl #Sterilization #Rule64B5
Question 3: Under Florida law, which controlled substance schedule requires a mandatory E-
FORCSE (PDMP) query before initial prescribing for acute pain?
A. Schedule II only
B. Schedule II and III
C. Schedule II, III, IV, and V
,D. No query required for dental prescribing
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Schedule II and III
Rationale: Florida Statute §893.055 requires prescribers to query E-FORCSE before initially
prescribing a controlled substance listed in Schedule II or III for acute pain. This applies to
opioids commonly prescribed in dentistry. Querying all schedules (C) is not required by law.
Dental prescribers are not exempt (D).
#Tags: #PrescribingLaws #E-FORCSE #ControlledSubstances
Question 4: A Florida-licensed dentist prescribes an opioid for acute dental pain. What is the
MAXIMUM day supply allowed for an adult patient under Florida law?
A. 3-day supply
B. 7-day supply
C. 14-day supply
D. 30-day supply
CORRECT ANSWER: A. 3-day supply
Rationale: Florida Statute §458.311(5) (adopted for dentistry via §466.028) limits initial opioid
prescriptions for acute pain to a 3-day supply for adult patients. Exceptions exist for chronic
pain, cancer, palliative care, or specific clinical circumstances with documentation. A 7-day
supply (B) was the prior limit but was reduced to 3 days in 2023.
#Tags: #OpioidPrescribing #AcutePain #FloridaLaw
Question 5: Under Rule 64B5-15.010, which infection control practice is REQUIRED for dental
unit waterlines?
A. Flush waterlines for 20-30 seconds between patients
B. Use only distilled water in reservoirs
C. Test water quality annually for bacterial counts
D. Both A and C
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Both A and C
Rationale: Rule 64B5-15.010(4) requires flushing dental unit waterlines for 20-30 seconds
between patients AND periodic testing to ensure water meets EPA drinking water standards
(<500 CFU/mL). Using distilled water (B) alone is insufficient without flushing and testing.
#Tags: #InfectionControl #WaterlineManagement #Rule64B5
,Question 6: A Florida dental hygienist may administer local anesthesia under which level of
supervision?
A. General supervision
B. Direct supervision
C. Indirect supervision
D. No supervision required
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Direct supervision
Rationale: Florida Statute §466.023(3) and Rule 64B5-8.004 require that administration of local
anesthesia by a dental hygienist be performed under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist
(dentist must be present in the office). General supervision (A) is not sufficient for this
procedure.
#Tags: #DentalHygienist #LocalAnesthesia #SupervisionLevels
Question 7: Under Florida law, how long must dental records be retained after the last patient
encounter?
A. 2 years
B. 5 years
C. 7 years
D. Indefinitely
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 7 years
Rationale: Rule 64B5-12.001(1) requires dental records to be retained for at least 7 years from
the date of the last patient encounter. For minors, records must be kept until age 18 plus 7 years
(i.e., until age 25). Two years (A) and 5 years (B) are insufficient.
#Tags: #RecordKeeping #RetentionRequirements #Rule64B5
Question 8: Which dental auxiliary is authorized to place and carve amalgam restorations in
Florida?
A. Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) without expanded functions
B. Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) with appropriate certification
C. Registered Dental Hygienist
D. Dental Laboratory Technician
, CORRECT ANSWER: B. Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) with appropriate
certification
Rationale: Rule 64B5-8.005 authorizes Expanded Functions Dental Assistants who have
completed Board-approved training and certification to place and carve amalgam restorations
under direct supervision. Standard CDAs (A), hygienists (C), and lab techs (D) are not authorized
for this procedure.
#Tags: #ExpandedFunctions #DentalAssistant #ScopeOfPractice
Question 9: Under Florida law, which mandatory continuing education topic must be completed
at each biennial renewal cycle?
A. Medical errors prevention
B. Domestic violence recognition
C. HIV/AIDS education
D. All of the above
CORRECT ANSWER: D. All of the above
Rationale: Rule 64B5-16.002 requires Florida dental licensees to complete 2 hours each of
medical errors prevention, domestic violence recognition, and HIV/AIDS education at each
biennial renewal (in addition to general CE hours). All three topics are mandatory.
#Tags: #ContinuingEducation #MandatoryTopics #Rule64B5
Question 10: A Florida dentist suspects a patient is a victim of child abuse. Within what
timeframe must a report be filed with the Florida Abuse Hotline?
A. Immediately, but no later than 24 hours
B. Within 48 hours
C. Within 7 days
D. Only if the patient confirms abuse
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Immediately, but no later than 24 hours
Rationale: Florida Statute §39.201 requires mandated reporters, including dentists, to report
suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect immediately, but no later than 24 hours after
