Dental Law and Ethics Midterm Exam Review –
Latest Update 2026 | Exam Prep | Graded A+
Which of the following legally defines the scope of practice for dental personnel in each
state? - correct answerDental Practice Act
The foreign trained dentist acquires a RDA license and subsequently opens a dental
office and treats patients for restorative procedures although not licensed to practice
dentistry in California. Which of the following can enforce disciplinary action? - correct
answerThe Dental Board of California
Dentists who have taken and successfully completed the Western Regional Board
Examination can apply to be eligible to practice dentistry in California. Which of the
following is this an example of? - correct answerReciprocity
The RDA is adjusting permanent gold crown intraorally and the handpiece slips and the
bur causes extensive damage to the patient's cheek. The patient files a lawsuit for
damages and wins the case. The dentist's insurance pays for the damages due to which
of the following? - correct answerRespondeat superior
The patient has the orthodontic bands and brackets removed. The patient is unhappy
because of demineralized white and brown spots on the facial surfaces of the teeth. The
patient's chart reveals that the patient has had poor oral hygiene throughout treatment
and was warned of the consequences. Which of the following describes the patient's
role? - correct answerContributory negligence
Res ipsa loquitur - correct answeraccidents are negligence
Reciprocity - correct answerable to practice in different areas- agreements between two
or more states to allow practice without additional licensure requirements
Respondeat superior - correct answeremployer or doctor is responsible for wrongful
acts within practice
"let the master answer"
contributary negligence - correct answerpatients actions negatively affects the treatment
outcome
Which of the following protect a patient's confidentiality of existing medical conditions? -
correct answerHIPAA - accountability
HIPAA - correct answerhealth insurance portibility accountability act
,cdc - correct answercenter of disease control
ada - correct answeramerican dental assoc
osha - correct answerOccupational Safety and Health Administration
The RDA needs to fabricate and temporarily cement a provisional restoration. The
dentist must oversee the dental assistant by using which level of supervision? - correct
answerSupervision to be determined by the dentist
Fitting of trial endodontic filling points is allowed for the RDA under which of the
following types of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerNot an allowable duty
Cementing endodontic master points and accessory points is allowed for the RDAEF
under which of the following types of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerDirect
Use of an automated caries detection device and materials to gather information for
diagnosis by the dentist is allowed for the DA under which of the following types of
supervision by the dentist? - correct answerNot an allowable duty
Placing bases, liners, and bonding agents is allowed for the RDA under which of the
following types of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerSupervision to be
determined by the dentist
Adjusting dentures extra-orally is allowed for the RDA under which of the following types
of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerSupervision to be determined by the
dentist
Taking final impressions for tooth-borne removable prosthesis is allowed for the RDAEF
under which of the following types of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerDirect
Taking final impressions for tooth-borne removable prosthesis is allowed for the RDAEF
under which of the following types of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerDirect
Chemically preparing teeth for bonding is allowed for the RDA under which of the
following types of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerSupervision to be
determined by the dentist
Placing, adjusting and finishing direct provisional restorations is allowed for the DA
under which of the following types of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerNot an
allowable duty
Fabricating, adjusting, cementing and removing indirect provision restorations, including
stainless steel crowns when used as a provisional restoration is allowed for the RDA
, under which of the following types of supervision by the dentist? - correct
answerSupervision to be determined by the dentist
Removing excess cement from surfaces of teeth with a hand instrument is allowed for
the DA under which of the following types of supervision by the dentist? - correct
answerNot a allowable duty
Polishing and contouring existing amalgam restorations is allowed for the RDAEF under
which of the following types of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerDirect
Cord retraction of gingival for impression procedures is allowed for the RDA under
which of the following types of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerNot an
allowable duty
Adjusting and cementing permanent indirect restorations is allowed for the RDA under
which of the following types of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerNot an
allowable duty
Removing excess cement from subgingival tooth surfaces with a hand instrument is
allowed for the RDA under which of the following types of supervision by the dentist? -
correct answerNot an allowable duty
Placing ligature ties and ligating the arch wire is allowed for the RDA under which of the
following types of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerSupervision to be
determined by the dentist
Placing periodontal dressings is allowed for the RDA under which of the following types
of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerSupervision to be determined by the
dentist
Mouth mirror inspection of the oral cavity to include charting of obvious lesions, existing
restorations, and missing teeth is allowed for the RDA under which of the following
types of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerSupervision to be determined by
the dentist
Removing excess cement with an ultrasonic scaler from subgingival surfaces of teeth
undergoing orthodontic treatment is allowed for the DA under which of the following
types of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerNot an allowable duty
A RDA must take how many units of continuing education? - correct answer25 units
every two years
Continuing education course documentation must be kept by the licentiate for at least
how many years? - correct answer4 years
Latest Update 2026 | Exam Prep | Graded A+
Which of the following legally defines the scope of practice for dental personnel in each
state? - correct answerDental Practice Act
The foreign trained dentist acquires a RDA license and subsequently opens a dental
office and treats patients for restorative procedures although not licensed to practice
dentistry in California. Which of the following can enforce disciplinary action? - correct
answerThe Dental Board of California
Dentists who have taken and successfully completed the Western Regional Board
Examination can apply to be eligible to practice dentistry in California. Which of the
following is this an example of? - correct answerReciprocity
The RDA is adjusting permanent gold crown intraorally and the handpiece slips and the
bur causes extensive damage to the patient's cheek. The patient files a lawsuit for
damages and wins the case. The dentist's insurance pays for the damages due to which
of the following? - correct answerRespondeat superior
The patient has the orthodontic bands and brackets removed. The patient is unhappy
because of demineralized white and brown spots on the facial surfaces of the teeth. The
patient's chart reveals that the patient has had poor oral hygiene throughout treatment
and was warned of the consequences. Which of the following describes the patient's
role? - correct answerContributory negligence
Res ipsa loquitur - correct answeraccidents are negligence
Reciprocity - correct answerable to practice in different areas- agreements between two
or more states to allow practice without additional licensure requirements
Respondeat superior - correct answeremployer or doctor is responsible for wrongful
acts within practice
"let the master answer"
contributary negligence - correct answerpatients actions negatively affects the treatment
outcome
Which of the following protect a patient's confidentiality of existing medical conditions? -
correct answerHIPAA - accountability
HIPAA - correct answerhealth insurance portibility accountability act
,cdc - correct answercenter of disease control
ada - correct answeramerican dental assoc
osha - correct answerOccupational Safety and Health Administration
The RDA needs to fabricate and temporarily cement a provisional restoration. The
dentist must oversee the dental assistant by using which level of supervision? - correct
answerSupervision to be determined by the dentist
Fitting of trial endodontic filling points is allowed for the RDA under which of the
following types of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerNot an allowable duty
Cementing endodontic master points and accessory points is allowed for the RDAEF
under which of the following types of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerDirect
Use of an automated caries detection device and materials to gather information for
diagnosis by the dentist is allowed for the DA under which of the following types of
supervision by the dentist? - correct answerNot an allowable duty
Placing bases, liners, and bonding agents is allowed for the RDA under which of the
following types of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerSupervision to be
determined by the dentist
Adjusting dentures extra-orally is allowed for the RDA under which of the following types
of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerSupervision to be determined by the
dentist
Taking final impressions for tooth-borne removable prosthesis is allowed for the RDAEF
under which of the following types of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerDirect
Taking final impressions for tooth-borne removable prosthesis is allowed for the RDAEF
under which of the following types of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerDirect
Chemically preparing teeth for bonding is allowed for the RDA under which of the
following types of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerSupervision to be
determined by the dentist
Placing, adjusting and finishing direct provisional restorations is allowed for the DA
under which of the following types of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerNot an
allowable duty
Fabricating, adjusting, cementing and removing indirect provision restorations, including
stainless steel crowns when used as a provisional restoration is allowed for the RDA
, under which of the following types of supervision by the dentist? - correct
answerSupervision to be determined by the dentist
Removing excess cement from surfaces of teeth with a hand instrument is allowed for
the DA under which of the following types of supervision by the dentist? - correct
answerNot a allowable duty
Polishing and contouring existing amalgam restorations is allowed for the RDAEF under
which of the following types of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerDirect
Cord retraction of gingival for impression procedures is allowed for the RDA under
which of the following types of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerNot an
allowable duty
Adjusting and cementing permanent indirect restorations is allowed for the RDA under
which of the following types of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerNot an
allowable duty
Removing excess cement from subgingival tooth surfaces with a hand instrument is
allowed for the RDA under which of the following types of supervision by the dentist? -
correct answerNot an allowable duty
Placing ligature ties and ligating the arch wire is allowed for the RDA under which of the
following types of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerSupervision to be
determined by the dentist
Placing periodontal dressings is allowed for the RDA under which of the following types
of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerSupervision to be determined by the
dentist
Mouth mirror inspection of the oral cavity to include charting of obvious lesions, existing
restorations, and missing teeth is allowed for the RDA under which of the following
types of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerSupervision to be determined by
the dentist
Removing excess cement with an ultrasonic scaler from subgingival surfaces of teeth
undergoing orthodontic treatment is allowed for the DA under which of the following
types of supervision by the dentist? - correct answerNot an allowable duty
A RDA must take how many units of continuing education? - correct answer25 units
every two years
Continuing education course documentation must be kept by the licentiate for at least
how many years? - correct answer4 years
