Dental Law & Ethics Latest 2025 Questions and
Correct Answers
Can RDAs deliver permanent restorations?
No, but rdaefs can
Can RDAs deliver temporary restorations?
Yes
Can an RDH deliver local anesthetic under direct supervision?
Yes
Can an RDA chart under general supervision?
Yes
Can a DA mix cement under direct supervision?
Yes
An RDA tells you during an interview that she knows how to pack cord and take final
impressions for cast restorations. What do you need to consider?
whether she has had certification on extended functions
a Hygienist calls you and says a patients temporary crown fell off. You should tell the
hygienist to...
wait until you come in
Can you talk about patient treatment in the waiting room?
No, it is a breach of patients dental treatment confidentiality (eg Walking with patient through
a busy reception room, you ask if she wants to go with dentures or implants)
,What should you do if the office managers computer with pt info is visible from the waiting
room?
tell the office manager that work areas need to be away from the view of the public
You hire an office manager who will be dealing with patient charts. What should you do
regarding confidentiality of records?
Train the manager following HIPPA policies
When transferring paper to electronic files, how do you ensure confidentiality?
Following policies of HIPPA / destroy the paper using HIPPA guidelines
What guidelines help offices ensure that they are meeting the welfare of their staff?
OSHA
What are the legal implications of a dentist practicing and advertising under the name of
"gentle dentistry"?
Dentist must fill out fictitious practice name form with the dental board for approval
If someone advertises as the best cosmetic dentistry practice in the area and states that free
consultation is only for new patients, what are the legal implications of this action?
1) They must offer free consultations for all patients, old and new
2) it is inappropriate to advertise as the best in the area because it implies superiority **these
are 2 separate answer choices, I think its #2**
What is an implantology specialist?
NOT A REAL THING
if a dentist trained in endodontics through a GPR program, can he claim to be an
endodontist?
NO! he must complete an ADA certified program to claim a specialty
,What must you obtain before disclosing a patient's dental history to another dentist /
colleague?
Patient consent
What happens if you notice at a later date that you forgot to write something in the chart at
your exam appointment?
DO NOT change a prior entry, make a NEW entry and sign with your initials
What do you do if a patient asks for a copy of their records, but still has a balance for the
treatment?
You must give patient a copy of their records, despite the balance
If a patient requests a copy of their records, what is the maximum number of days the dentist
can take to deliver them?
15 days
You write a prescription to relieve pain due to a RCT, how long do you have to keep this
prescription form in their chart?
3 years
How long must a dentist keep records of controlled drugs being dispensed to patients in the
dental office?
3 years
What information must be included in the inventory log in dispensing meds from the office?
patients personal info, type of medicine, dosage, number dispensed
If a patient comes in for a fourth refill of hydrocodone for a toothache without being
evaluated, what should the dentist be concerned with?
overprescribing medication
, when a dentist is retiring, how long do records need to be stored / accessible?
7 years
How many days do you have to notify the board following a death / cardiac arrest related to
dentistry?
7 days
If you dont complete a planned procedure due to an emergency, but the office manager
billed the insurance company already, what do you do?
notify insurance company and reimburse the money
If a patient is in a financial bind and the dentist waives their copay without disclosure to the
insurance company, the dentist has participated in what?
overbilling
A patient comes in for ER and is in between insurance plans. She asks if you can back date the
bill OR bill for a later date. What do you tell the patient?
Tell her she will be responsible for the payment. Do not ever tamper with the date of service to
bill old or new insurance companies
How many days do you have to notify the board if you change the business or mailing address
of record that is filed with the board?
30 days
A patient's dental insurance is ending soon and she wants to extract all of her teeth and place
dentures to never deal with billing again. What do you tell her?
Review all possible risks, alternatives, and treatments available before making any decisions
A patient calls you for pain medications due to an emergency. They would like the medication
now and then to go back to their regular dentist later for treatment. What should you do
prior to writing the prescription?
Correct Answers
Can RDAs deliver permanent restorations?
No, but rdaefs can
Can RDAs deliver temporary restorations?
Yes
Can an RDH deliver local anesthetic under direct supervision?
Yes
Can an RDA chart under general supervision?
Yes
Can a DA mix cement under direct supervision?
Yes
An RDA tells you during an interview that she knows how to pack cord and take final
impressions for cast restorations. What do you need to consider?
whether she has had certification on extended functions
a Hygienist calls you and says a patients temporary crown fell off. You should tell the
hygienist to...
wait until you come in
Can you talk about patient treatment in the waiting room?
No, it is a breach of patients dental treatment confidentiality (eg Walking with patient through
a busy reception room, you ask if she wants to go with dentures or implants)
,What should you do if the office managers computer with pt info is visible from the waiting
room?
tell the office manager that work areas need to be away from the view of the public
You hire an office manager who will be dealing with patient charts. What should you do
regarding confidentiality of records?
Train the manager following HIPPA policies
When transferring paper to electronic files, how do you ensure confidentiality?
Following policies of HIPPA / destroy the paper using HIPPA guidelines
What guidelines help offices ensure that they are meeting the welfare of their staff?
OSHA
What are the legal implications of a dentist practicing and advertising under the name of
"gentle dentistry"?
Dentist must fill out fictitious practice name form with the dental board for approval
If someone advertises as the best cosmetic dentistry practice in the area and states that free
consultation is only for new patients, what are the legal implications of this action?
1) They must offer free consultations for all patients, old and new
2) it is inappropriate to advertise as the best in the area because it implies superiority **these
are 2 separate answer choices, I think its #2**
What is an implantology specialist?
NOT A REAL THING
if a dentist trained in endodontics through a GPR program, can he claim to be an
endodontist?
NO! he must complete an ADA certified program to claim a specialty
,What must you obtain before disclosing a patient's dental history to another dentist /
colleague?
Patient consent
What happens if you notice at a later date that you forgot to write something in the chart at
your exam appointment?
DO NOT change a prior entry, make a NEW entry and sign with your initials
What do you do if a patient asks for a copy of their records, but still has a balance for the
treatment?
You must give patient a copy of their records, despite the balance
If a patient requests a copy of their records, what is the maximum number of days the dentist
can take to deliver them?
15 days
You write a prescription to relieve pain due to a RCT, how long do you have to keep this
prescription form in their chart?
3 years
How long must a dentist keep records of controlled drugs being dispensed to patients in the
dental office?
3 years
What information must be included in the inventory log in dispensing meds from the office?
patients personal info, type of medicine, dosage, number dispensed
If a patient comes in for a fourth refill of hydrocodone for a toothache without being
evaluated, what should the dentist be concerned with?
overprescribing medication
, when a dentist is retiring, how long do records need to be stored / accessible?
7 years
How many days do you have to notify the board following a death / cardiac arrest related to
dentistry?
7 days
If you dont complete a planned procedure due to an emergency, but the office manager
billed the insurance company already, what do you do?
notify insurance company and reimburse the money
If a patient is in a financial bind and the dentist waives their copay without disclosure to the
insurance company, the dentist has participated in what?
overbilling
A patient comes in for ER and is in between insurance plans. She asks if you can back date the
bill OR bill for a later date. What do you tell the patient?
Tell her she will be responsible for the payment. Do not ever tamper with the date of service to
bill old or new insurance companies
How many days do you have to notify the board if you change the business or mailing address
of record that is filed with the board?
30 days
A patient's dental insurance is ending soon and she wants to extract all of her teeth and place
dentures to never deal with billing again. What do you tell her?
Review all possible risks, alternatives, and treatments available before making any decisions
A patient calls you for pain medications due to an emergency. They would like the medication
now and then to go back to their regular dentist later for treatment. What should you do
prior to writing the prescription?
