South Carolina
Dental Jurisprudence
Final Assessment Review
(With Solutions)
2025
1
,1. A South Carolina dentist advertises “painless root canals” on social
media. Under the SC Board of Dentistry regulations, this claim is:
A. Acceptable if accompanied by patient testimonials
B. Prohibited as deceptive advertising
C. Allowed if a disclaimer is posted
D. Permissible only in print media
Correct ANS: B. Prohibited as deceptive advertising
Rationale: SC Board Rule mandates that advertising must not be
misleading or unsubstantiated; “painless” cannot be guaranteed for all
patients.
2. Prior to extracting an impacted third molar, a patient inquires about
alternative treatments and risks. The dentist must obtain:
A. General consent for any dental treatment
B. Informed consent specific to the extraction
C. Verbal acknowledgement only
D. Witnessed consent by non-clinical staff
Correct ANS: B. Informed consent specific to the extraction
Rationale: SC law requires disclosure of procedure‐specific risks,
benefits, and alternatives to ensure valid informed consent.
3. A dental hygienist performs local anesthesia under indirect supervision
without a signed SC Department of Health and Environmental Control
(DHEC) permit. Which applies?
A. No violation if the dentist is on premises
B. Violation—permit is mandatory for LA administration by hygienists
C. Acceptable if the hygienist has ten years of experience
D. Permissible only under direct supervision
2
, Correct ANS: B. Violation—permit is mandatory for LA administration
by hygienists
Rationale: SC requires hygienists to hold a DHEC‐issued injection
permit before administering local anesthesia under general supervision.
4. Under SC Code of Laws, a dentist observes signs of elder abuse in a
patient’s oral injuries. The legal duty is to:
A. Report immediately to Adult Protective Services (APS)
B. Notify only the patient’s family
C. Document and await further evidence
D. Call law enforcement after a week
Correct ANS: A. Report immediately to Adult Protective Services
(APS)
Rationale: SC law mandates healthcare providers to report suspected
abuse of vulnerable adults to APS promptly.
5. A patient requests electronic access to their radiographs. According to
HIPAA and SC statutes, the dentist must:
A. Provide originals only in paper within 60 days
B. Supply electronic copies within 30 days at a reasonable fee
C. Decline until patient completes a formal lawsuit
D. Charge standard hourly rates for staff time
Correct ANS: B. Supply electronic copies within 30 days at a
reasonable fee
Rationale: HIPAA requires records in requested format within 30
days; SC law caps fees at actual cost for reproduction.
6. A new graduate plans to delegate coronal polishing to a Registered
Dental Assistant II (RDA II). Under SC scope, which supervision level
applies?
3
Dental Jurisprudence
Final Assessment Review
(With Solutions)
2025
1
,1. A South Carolina dentist advertises “painless root canals” on social
media. Under the SC Board of Dentistry regulations, this claim is:
A. Acceptable if accompanied by patient testimonials
B. Prohibited as deceptive advertising
C. Allowed if a disclaimer is posted
D. Permissible only in print media
Correct ANS: B. Prohibited as deceptive advertising
Rationale: SC Board Rule mandates that advertising must not be
misleading or unsubstantiated; “painless” cannot be guaranteed for all
patients.
2. Prior to extracting an impacted third molar, a patient inquires about
alternative treatments and risks. The dentist must obtain:
A. General consent for any dental treatment
B. Informed consent specific to the extraction
C. Verbal acknowledgement only
D. Witnessed consent by non-clinical staff
Correct ANS: B. Informed consent specific to the extraction
Rationale: SC law requires disclosure of procedure‐specific risks,
benefits, and alternatives to ensure valid informed consent.
3. A dental hygienist performs local anesthesia under indirect supervision
without a signed SC Department of Health and Environmental Control
(DHEC) permit. Which applies?
A. No violation if the dentist is on premises
B. Violation—permit is mandatory for LA administration by hygienists
C. Acceptable if the hygienist has ten years of experience
D. Permissible only under direct supervision
2
, Correct ANS: B. Violation—permit is mandatory for LA administration
by hygienists
Rationale: SC requires hygienists to hold a DHEC‐issued injection
permit before administering local anesthesia under general supervision.
4. Under SC Code of Laws, a dentist observes signs of elder abuse in a
patient’s oral injuries. The legal duty is to:
A. Report immediately to Adult Protective Services (APS)
B. Notify only the patient’s family
C. Document and await further evidence
D. Call law enforcement after a week
Correct ANS: A. Report immediately to Adult Protective Services
(APS)
Rationale: SC law mandates healthcare providers to report suspected
abuse of vulnerable adults to APS promptly.
5. A patient requests electronic access to their radiographs. According to
HIPAA and SC statutes, the dentist must:
A. Provide originals only in paper within 60 days
B. Supply electronic copies within 30 days at a reasonable fee
C. Decline until patient completes a formal lawsuit
D. Charge standard hourly rates for staff time
Correct ANS: B. Supply electronic copies within 30 days at a
reasonable fee
Rationale: HIPAA requires records in requested format within 30
days; SC law caps fees at actual cost for reproduction.
6. A new graduate plans to delegate coronal polishing to a Registered
Dental Assistant II (RDA II). Under SC scope, which supervision level
applies?
3
