ALVON
Law and Ethics for CA
Dental Hygiene
1. Which organization is responsible for licensing Registered Dental Hygienists
(RDHs) in California?
A. American Dental Association (ADA)
B. Dental Board of California (DBC)
C. Dental Hygiene Board of California (DHBC)
D. California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Answer: C. Dental Hygiene Board of California (DHBC)
Rationale: The DHBC is responsible for licensing and regulating dental hygienists in
California.
,ALVON
2. How many hours of continuing education (CE) must an RDH complete every two
years to renew their license in California?
A. 12
B. 25
C. 30
D. 50
Answer: C. 30
Rationale: California law requires 30 hours of CE every 2 years for RDH license
renewal.
3. An RDH in California can perform which of the following duties without
supervision?
A. Administer local anesthesia
B. Place restorations
C. Provide fluoride treatments in public health settings
D. Extract teeth
Answer: C. Provide fluoride treatments in public health settings
Rationale: Certain duties, such as fluoride application in public health settings, can be
performed without supervision under specific conditions.
4. What is the primary purpose of the Dental Hygiene Board of California?
A. Advocate for dental hygienists
B. Discipline dentists and assistants
C. Protect the public
D. Increase RDH salaries
Answer: C. Protect the public
Rationale: The primary mission of all health boards is public protection, including
ensuring safe, ethical practice.
,ALVON
5. How soon must a licensee report a name change to the DHBC?
A. Within 10 days
B. Within 30 days
C. During next license renewal
D. Not required
Answer: B. Within 30 days
Rationale: Name or address changes must be reported to the board within 30 days.
6. Which of the following is an example of unprofessional conduct?
A. Giving a patient their own dental records
B. Practicing while under the influence of alcohol
C. Educating a patient about oral health
D. Asking for informed consent
Answer: B. Practicing while under the influence of alcohol
Rationale: Practicing under the influence is unprofessional and endangers patient
safety.
7. What type of consent is required before initiating treatment?
A. Verbal consent only
B. Written consent only
C. Informed consent
D. Implied consent
Answer: C. Informed consent
Rationale: Patients must understand the risks, benefits, and alternatives before
agreeing to treatment.
8. A patient requests a copy of their dental records. What is the maximum number of
days the provider has to respond?
, ALVON
A. 7 days
B. 15 days
C. 30 days
D. 60 days
Answer: B. 15 days
Rationale: California law requires providers to furnish records within 15 days of the
request.
9. What is the penalty for practicing dental hygiene with an expired license in
California?
A. Warning only
B. Temporary suspension
C. Fine and possible criminal charges
D. No penalty if less than 90 days expired
Answer: C. Fine and possible criminal charges
Rationale: Practicing without a valid license can lead to disciplinary action and legal
consequences.
10. Which principle of ethics focuses on doing good and promoting the welfare of
others?
A. Autonomy
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Beneficence
D. Justice
Answer: C. Beneficence
Rationale: Beneficence means promoting the well-being of patients.11. Which of the
following duties can an RDH perform under direct supervision?
A. Placement of sealants
B. Administration of nitrous oxide
Law and Ethics for CA
Dental Hygiene
1. Which organization is responsible for licensing Registered Dental Hygienists
(RDHs) in California?
A. American Dental Association (ADA)
B. Dental Board of California (DBC)
C. Dental Hygiene Board of California (DHBC)
D. California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Answer: C. Dental Hygiene Board of California (DHBC)
Rationale: The DHBC is responsible for licensing and regulating dental hygienists in
California.
,ALVON
2. How many hours of continuing education (CE) must an RDH complete every two
years to renew their license in California?
A. 12
B. 25
C. 30
D. 50
Answer: C. 30
Rationale: California law requires 30 hours of CE every 2 years for RDH license
renewal.
3. An RDH in California can perform which of the following duties without
supervision?
A. Administer local anesthesia
B. Place restorations
C. Provide fluoride treatments in public health settings
D. Extract teeth
Answer: C. Provide fluoride treatments in public health settings
Rationale: Certain duties, such as fluoride application in public health settings, can be
performed without supervision under specific conditions.
4. What is the primary purpose of the Dental Hygiene Board of California?
A. Advocate for dental hygienists
B. Discipline dentists and assistants
C. Protect the public
D. Increase RDH salaries
Answer: C. Protect the public
Rationale: The primary mission of all health boards is public protection, including
ensuring safe, ethical practice.
,ALVON
5. How soon must a licensee report a name change to the DHBC?
A. Within 10 days
B. Within 30 days
C. During next license renewal
D. Not required
Answer: B. Within 30 days
Rationale: Name or address changes must be reported to the board within 30 days.
6. Which of the following is an example of unprofessional conduct?
A. Giving a patient their own dental records
B. Practicing while under the influence of alcohol
C. Educating a patient about oral health
D. Asking for informed consent
Answer: B. Practicing while under the influence of alcohol
Rationale: Practicing under the influence is unprofessional and endangers patient
safety.
7. What type of consent is required before initiating treatment?
A. Verbal consent only
B. Written consent only
C. Informed consent
D. Implied consent
Answer: C. Informed consent
Rationale: Patients must understand the risks, benefits, and alternatives before
agreeing to treatment.
8. A patient requests a copy of their dental records. What is the maximum number of
days the provider has to respond?
, ALVON
A. 7 days
B. 15 days
C. 30 days
D. 60 days
Answer: B. 15 days
Rationale: California law requires providers to furnish records within 15 days of the
request.
9. What is the penalty for practicing dental hygiene with an expired license in
California?
A. Warning only
B. Temporary suspension
C. Fine and possible criminal charges
D. No penalty if less than 90 days expired
Answer: C. Fine and possible criminal charges
Rationale: Practicing without a valid license can lead to disciplinary action and legal
consequences.
10. Which principle of ethics focuses on doing good and promoting the welfare of
others?
A. Autonomy
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Beneficence
D. Justice
Answer: C. Beneficence
Rationale: Beneficence means promoting the well-being of patients.11. Which of the
following duties can an RDH perform under direct supervision?
A. Placement of sealants
B. Administration of nitrous oxide
