RDHAP LAW AND ETHICS QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
2025/2026 GRADED A+
✔✔The failure to report to the dental hygiene board in writing within seven days any of
the following: - ✔✔(1) the death of the licensee's patient during the performance of any
dental hygiene procedure; (2) the discovery of the death of a patient whose death is
related to a dental hygiene procedure performed by the licensee; or (3) except for a
scheduled hospitalization, the removal to a hospital or emergency center for medical
treatment for a period exceeding 24 hours of any patient as a result of dental or dental
hygiene treatment. Upon receipt of a report pursuant to this subdivision, the dental
hygiene board may conduct an inspection of the dental hygiene practice office if the
dental hygiene board finds that it is necessary.
✔✔A registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or
registered dental hygienist in extended functions shall report to the dental hygiene
board all deaths occurring in their practice with a copy sent to the dental board if - ✔✔if
the death occurred while working as an employee in a dental office. A dentist shall
report to the dental board all deaths occurring in their practice with a copy sent to the
dental hygiene board if the death was the result of treatment by a registered dental
hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or registered dental
hygienist in extended functions.
✔✔The dental hygiene board may discipline a licensee by placing the licensee on
probation under various terms and conditions that may include, but are not limited to,
the following: - ✔✔(a) Requiring the licensee to obtain additional training or pass an
examination upon completion of training, or both. The examination may be a written or
oral examination, or both, and may be a practical or clinical examination, or both, at the
option of the dental hygiene board.
(b) Requiring the licensee to submit to a complete diagnostic examination by one or
more physicians appointed by the dental hygiene board, if warranted by the physical or
mental condition of the licensee. If the dental hygiene board requires the licensee to
submit to an examination, the dental hygiene board shall receive and consider any other
report of a complete diagnostic examination given by one or more physicians of the
licensee's choice.
(c) Restricting or limiting the extent, scope, or type of practice of the licensee.
(d) Requiring restitution of fees to the licensee's patients or payers of services, unless
restitution has already been made.
(e) Providing the option of alternative community service in lieu of all or part of a period
of suspension in cases other than violations relating to quality of care.
, ✔✔It is unprofessional conduct for a person licensed under this article to do any of the
following: - ✔✔(a) Obtain or possess in violation of law, or except as directed by a
licensed physician and surgeon, dentist, or podiatrist, a controlled substance, as defined
in Division 10 (commencing with Section 11000) of the Health and Safety Code, or any
dangerous drug as defined in Section 4022.
(b) Use a controlled substance, as defined in Division 10 (commencing with Section
11000) of the Health and Safety Code, or a dangerous drug as defined in Section 4022,
or alcoholic beverages or other intoxicating substances, to an extent or in a manner
dangerous or injurious to themselves, to any person, or the public to the extent that the
use impairs the licensee's ability to conduct with safety to the public the practice
authorized by their license.
(c) Be convicted of a charge of violating any federal statute or rules, or any statute or
rule of this state, regulating controlled substances, as defined in Division 10
(commencing with Section 11000) of the Health and Safety Code, or any dangerous
drug, as defined in Section 4022, or be convicted of more than one misdemeanor, or
any felony, involving the use or consumption of alcohol or drugs, if the conviction is
substantially related to the practice authorized by their license.
✔✔A registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or
registered dental hygienist in extended functions who performs a service on a patient in
a dental office shall identify himself or herself in the patient record by - ✔✔signing his or
her name or identification number and initials next to the service performed, and shall
date those treatment entries in the record.
(b) A repeated violation of this section constitutes unprofessional conduct.
✔✔It is unprofessional conduct for a person licensed under this article to perform, or
hold himself or herself out as able to perform, professional services beyond the scope of
his or her license and field of competence, as established by his or her education,
experience, and training. This includes, but is not limited to, - ✔✔using an instrument or
device in a manner that is not in accordance with the customary standards and
practices of the dental hygiene profession.
✔✔A licensee who fails or refuses to comply with a request for a patient's dental or
dental hygiene records that is accompanied by that patient's written authorization for
release of the records to the dental hygiene board, within 15 days of receiving the
request and authorization, shall pay to the dental hygiene board a civil or administrative
penalty or fine up to a maximum of - ✔✔two hundred fifty dollars ($250) per day for
each day that the documents have not been produced after the 15th day, up to a
maximum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) unless the licensee is unable to provide the
documents within this time period for good cause.
2025/2026 GRADED A+
✔✔The failure to report to the dental hygiene board in writing within seven days any of
the following: - ✔✔(1) the death of the licensee's patient during the performance of any
dental hygiene procedure; (2) the discovery of the death of a patient whose death is
related to a dental hygiene procedure performed by the licensee; or (3) except for a
scheduled hospitalization, the removal to a hospital or emergency center for medical
treatment for a period exceeding 24 hours of any patient as a result of dental or dental
hygiene treatment. Upon receipt of a report pursuant to this subdivision, the dental
hygiene board may conduct an inspection of the dental hygiene practice office if the
dental hygiene board finds that it is necessary.
✔✔A registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or
registered dental hygienist in extended functions shall report to the dental hygiene
board all deaths occurring in their practice with a copy sent to the dental board if - ✔✔if
the death occurred while working as an employee in a dental office. A dentist shall
report to the dental board all deaths occurring in their practice with a copy sent to the
dental hygiene board if the death was the result of treatment by a registered dental
hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or registered dental
hygienist in extended functions.
✔✔The dental hygiene board may discipline a licensee by placing the licensee on
probation under various terms and conditions that may include, but are not limited to,
the following: - ✔✔(a) Requiring the licensee to obtain additional training or pass an
examination upon completion of training, or both. The examination may be a written or
oral examination, or both, and may be a practical or clinical examination, or both, at the
option of the dental hygiene board.
(b) Requiring the licensee to submit to a complete diagnostic examination by one or
more physicians appointed by the dental hygiene board, if warranted by the physical or
mental condition of the licensee. If the dental hygiene board requires the licensee to
submit to an examination, the dental hygiene board shall receive and consider any other
report of a complete diagnostic examination given by one or more physicians of the
licensee's choice.
(c) Restricting or limiting the extent, scope, or type of practice of the licensee.
(d) Requiring restitution of fees to the licensee's patients or payers of services, unless
restitution has already been made.
(e) Providing the option of alternative community service in lieu of all or part of a period
of suspension in cases other than violations relating to quality of care.
, ✔✔It is unprofessional conduct for a person licensed under this article to do any of the
following: - ✔✔(a) Obtain or possess in violation of law, or except as directed by a
licensed physician and surgeon, dentist, or podiatrist, a controlled substance, as defined
in Division 10 (commencing with Section 11000) of the Health and Safety Code, or any
dangerous drug as defined in Section 4022.
(b) Use a controlled substance, as defined in Division 10 (commencing with Section
11000) of the Health and Safety Code, or a dangerous drug as defined in Section 4022,
or alcoholic beverages or other intoxicating substances, to an extent or in a manner
dangerous or injurious to themselves, to any person, or the public to the extent that the
use impairs the licensee's ability to conduct with safety to the public the practice
authorized by their license.
(c) Be convicted of a charge of violating any federal statute or rules, or any statute or
rule of this state, regulating controlled substances, as defined in Division 10
(commencing with Section 11000) of the Health and Safety Code, or any dangerous
drug, as defined in Section 4022, or be convicted of more than one misdemeanor, or
any felony, involving the use or consumption of alcohol or drugs, if the conviction is
substantially related to the practice authorized by their license.
✔✔A registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or
registered dental hygienist in extended functions who performs a service on a patient in
a dental office shall identify himself or herself in the patient record by - ✔✔signing his or
her name or identification number and initials next to the service performed, and shall
date those treatment entries in the record.
(b) A repeated violation of this section constitutes unprofessional conduct.
✔✔It is unprofessional conduct for a person licensed under this article to perform, or
hold himself or herself out as able to perform, professional services beyond the scope of
his or her license and field of competence, as established by his or her education,
experience, and training. This includes, but is not limited to, - ✔✔using an instrument or
device in a manner that is not in accordance with the customary standards and
practices of the dental hygiene profession.
✔✔A licensee who fails or refuses to comply with a request for a patient's dental or
dental hygiene records that is accompanied by that patient's written authorization for
release of the records to the dental hygiene board, within 15 days of receiving the
request and authorization, shall pay to the dental hygiene board a civil or administrative
penalty or fine up to a maximum of - ✔✔two hundred fifty dollars ($250) per day for
each day that the documents have not been produced after the 15th day, up to a
maximum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) unless the licensee is unable to provide the
documents within this time period for good cause.
