Dental Assisting: Jurisprudence Exam Questions with Complete Solutions

Who makes our State Laws? - Texas State Legislature creates Dental laws along with other regular laws and publish them as part of the Occupations Codes (Dental Practice Act) How do laws become rules? - Legislature sends laws to the State Board of Dental Examiners (SBDE) who writes laws to rules and regulations. SBDE has the authority to: - Reprimand Fine Suspend License/Registration (DDS/RDH/RDA) Structure of the SBDE: - 15 unpaid, volunteer members: -8 DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgeries) -2 RDH (Dental Hygienist) -5 Public Members Paid Staff: -Executive Director -Legal Advisors -Committees, Clerks, Advisors to assist board Board Duties and Powers - Adopt and enforce rules necessary to: -ensure following of rules made to protect public health and safety -rules to protect the public from the spread of infections in dentistry -examine applications for license in the practice of dentistry -organize board meetings Ineligibility for Licensure - Conviction of Felony or Misdemeanor that: --directly relates to the duties/responsibilities of the dentist --directly relates to dental assisting Certification can be revoked if terms of parole are disobeyed Factors of a Conviction - -Nature and Seriousness of crime -Relation of crime to the occupation in Dentistry -Extent to which a license might further an opportunity to engage in further crime -Relationship of the crime to the ability, capacity or fitness required to perform the duties and discharge the responsibility of the licensed occupation Who can Practice Dentistry? - A person may not practice or offer to practice dentistry or dental surgery or represent that the person practices dentistry unless the person holds a license issued by the board A person DOES NOT practice dentistry if the person is a: - -Faculty member of a reputable dental/dental hygiene school -Student of a reputable dental school who performs operations without pay -Performs laboratory work (only on inert matter) -Licensed state physician who does not represent Dentistry -Dental Hygienist who practices within strict conformity with the state law -Dental assistant who performs duties permitted under the Dental Practice Act Visual Dental Inspection "Screenings" - Inspections (exam) made by a health care worker can be performed by a Dental Assistant, Teacher, School Nurse. -Done as a group activity in a public setting with no charged fee Purpose of Visual Dental Inspections - -Only gloves, tongue depressors and light may be used -Purpose it to recognize potential problems and refer to a dentist Duties the Dentist MAY NOT Delegate: - -Smoothing of the teeth by polishing or root planning -Comprehensive examination -Cutting of hard or soft tissue -Issuing prescriptions and excuses -Taking Final impressions for final dental app. -making of an intraoral occlusal adjustment -Any endodontic procedure -Final placement + intraoral adjustment of a fixed or removable appliance. -Administer any form of sedative or anaesthetic Responsibilities of the Delegating Dentist - The delegating dentist is responsible for a dental act performed by the person to whom the dentist delegates the act.