CALIFORNIA RDH LAW AND ETHICS EXAM WITH
CORRECT SOLUTIONS!!
Introduction
This practice examination replicates the scope, cognitive level, and 2024 content outline
of the California Law & Ethics examination required for Registered Dental Hygienist
licensure.
The test evaluates mastery of the California Dental Practice Act, infection-control &
OSHA mandates, radiography rules, anesthesia statutes, ethical decision-making,
patient-record requirements, and scope-of-practice restrictions.
All items are original and mapped to current California Code of Regulations (CCR),
Dental Practice Act (Bus. & Prof. Code §1600 et seq.), and Board of Dental Examiners
(BDE) updates to support certification-level performance.
General Instructions
• Select the ONE best answer for each scenario.
• Total exam length: 50 questions (all scored).
• Solutions cite specific California statutes, CCR sections, or ethical standards.
• Passing threshold: 75 % (≥38/50) per California BDE.
Exam Items
Question 1
A California RDH employed by a solo-dentist D.D.S. proposes to provide prophylaxis on
alternate Saturdays when the dentist is out of state. The dentist has left standing orders
in the chart. Which statement is correct?
A. The RDH may treat patients unsupervised as long as a written protocol is present.
B. The dentist must be physically available within 30 min by telephone.
C. The arrangement is unlawful; the supervising dentist must remain on-site.
D. The RDH may see patients if a licensed physician is present in the building.
Answer: C. The arrangement is unlawful; the supervising dentist must remain on-
site.
Solution: Bus. & Prof. Code §1906.5 requires the supervising dentist to remain on the
premises at all times when the RDH performs unsupervised preventive procedures
(prophy, scaling, FMX, etc.). Telephone availability (B) is insufficient; no physician
substitution (D) is permitted.
pg. 1
,Question 2
A hygienist notes that the office’s 2019 panoramic x-ray unit has not yet undergone the
mandatory California RHB (Radiologic Health Branch) registration renewal. The next
renewal is due in 2024. How often must the unit be renewed?
A. Every year
B. Every two years
C. Every five years
D. Only upon change of ownership
Answer: B. Every two years
Solution: 17 CCR §30322 requires x-ray device registration biennially (every two
years) regardless of ownership changes.
Question 3
An RDH with a California moderate-conscious-sedation permit wants to administer
4 mg midazolam IV to a healthy adult. Which level of dentist supervision is mandated?
A. General supervision—dentist need not be present
B. Indirect supervision—dentist on-site, not in operatory
C. Direct supervision—dentist physically present during drug administration
D. No supervision if the RDH holds an anesthesia permit
Answer: C. Direct supervision—dentist physically present during drug
administration
Solution: 16 CCR §1040.5; an RDH with a sedation permit may assist but not
independently administer IV sedative agents. The dentist must be in the room during
drug delivery.
Question 4
While updating health histories, a patient reveals she is 14 weeks pregnant. The RDH
plans to take four bitewing radiographs. What is the legally required action?
A. Defer all radiographs until post-partum
B. Obtain a signed informed-consent form that includes pregnancy disclosure
C. Reduce exposure time by 50 % and proceed
D. No special documentation is required for bitewings
Answer: B. Obtain a signed informed-consent form that includes pregnancy
disclosure
Solution: California Radiation Control Regulations (17 CCR §30305(d)) require written
informed consent that includes pregnancy status before any radiographic exposure.
Deferral (A) is not mandatory if diagnostic benefit outweighs risk and consent is
obtained.
pg. 2
, Question 5
An RDH notices that the office’s ultrasonic scaler’s irrigation tubing has visible biofilm.
She runs a gallon of distilled water through the line and resumes treatment. Did this
action meet California infection-control standards?
A. Yes—flushing removes microbial contamination
B. No—lines must be disinfected with EPA-registered hospital disinfectant daily
C. No—lines must be sterilized between patients
D. Yes—biofilm is acceptable if water is clear
Answer: B. No—lines must be disinfected with EPA-registered hospital
disinfectant daily
Solution: Cal/OSHA §5193 and Dental Board Infection-Control Guidelines require daily
disinfection of reusable dental waterlines with an EPA-registered hospital
disinfectant effective against biofilm. Flushing alone is insufficient.
Question 6
An RDH orders 1 % lidocaine with 1:100k epinephrine via telephone prescription for
a patient of record. Which statement is true?
A. Telephone prescriptions are unlawful for all controlled substances
B. The RDH may order only if the dentist signs the written Rx within 7 days
C. Lidocaine is not a controlled substance; telephone order is lawful
D. A paper Rx must be mailed within 24 h
Answer: C. Lidocaine is not a controlled substance; telephone order is lawful
Solution: Lidocaine is not a federal or California controlled substance; thus a
telephone or oral prescription to a pharmacy is lawful and does not require
subsequent written verification.
Question 7
A solo-dentist employer dies suddenly. May the RDH continue to treat patients already
scheduled for the next week?
A. Yes—under “good-faith” exemption for 30 days
B. Yes—if a written supervisory agreement is filed with the Board within 72 h
C. No—the supervisory relationship terminates immediately
D. Yes—if the RDH obtains temporary dentist supervision
Answer: C. No—the supervisory relationship terminates immediately
Solution: The death of the supervising dentist instantly ends the legal supervisory
framework. The RDH must cease all treatment until a new supervising dentist
assumes responsibility (Bus. & Prof. Code §1906.5).
pg. 3
CORRECT SOLUTIONS!!
Introduction
This practice examination replicates the scope, cognitive level, and 2024 content outline
of the California Law & Ethics examination required for Registered Dental Hygienist
licensure.
The test evaluates mastery of the California Dental Practice Act, infection-control &
OSHA mandates, radiography rules, anesthesia statutes, ethical decision-making,
patient-record requirements, and scope-of-practice restrictions.
All items are original and mapped to current California Code of Regulations (CCR),
Dental Practice Act (Bus. & Prof. Code §1600 et seq.), and Board of Dental Examiners
(BDE) updates to support certification-level performance.
General Instructions
• Select the ONE best answer for each scenario.
• Total exam length: 50 questions (all scored).
• Solutions cite specific California statutes, CCR sections, or ethical standards.
• Passing threshold: 75 % (≥38/50) per California BDE.
Exam Items
Question 1
A California RDH employed by a solo-dentist D.D.S. proposes to provide prophylaxis on
alternate Saturdays when the dentist is out of state. The dentist has left standing orders
in the chart. Which statement is correct?
A. The RDH may treat patients unsupervised as long as a written protocol is present.
B. The dentist must be physically available within 30 min by telephone.
C. The arrangement is unlawful; the supervising dentist must remain on-site.
D. The RDH may see patients if a licensed physician is present in the building.
Answer: C. The arrangement is unlawful; the supervising dentist must remain on-
site.
Solution: Bus. & Prof. Code §1906.5 requires the supervising dentist to remain on the
premises at all times when the RDH performs unsupervised preventive procedures
(prophy, scaling, FMX, etc.). Telephone availability (B) is insufficient; no physician
substitution (D) is permitted.
pg. 1
,Question 2
A hygienist notes that the office’s 2019 panoramic x-ray unit has not yet undergone the
mandatory California RHB (Radiologic Health Branch) registration renewal. The next
renewal is due in 2024. How often must the unit be renewed?
A. Every year
B. Every two years
C. Every five years
D. Only upon change of ownership
Answer: B. Every two years
Solution: 17 CCR §30322 requires x-ray device registration biennially (every two
years) regardless of ownership changes.
Question 3
An RDH with a California moderate-conscious-sedation permit wants to administer
4 mg midazolam IV to a healthy adult. Which level of dentist supervision is mandated?
A. General supervision—dentist need not be present
B. Indirect supervision—dentist on-site, not in operatory
C. Direct supervision—dentist physically present during drug administration
D. No supervision if the RDH holds an anesthesia permit
Answer: C. Direct supervision—dentist physically present during drug
administration
Solution: 16 CCR §1040.5; an RDH with a sedation permit may assist but not
independently administer IV sedative agents. The dentist must be in the room during
drug delivery.
Question 4
While updating health histories, a patient reveals she is 14 weeks pregnant. The RDH
plans to take four bitewing radiographs. What is the legally required action?
A. Defer all radiographs until post-partum
B. Obtain a signed informed-consent form that includes pregnancy disclosure
C. Reduce exposure time by 50 % and proceed
D. No special documentation is required for bitewings
Answer: B. Obtain a signed informed-consent form that includes pregnancy
disclosure
Solution: California Radiation Control Regulations (17 CCR §30305(d)) require written
informed consent that includes pregnancy status before any radiographic exposure.
Deferral (A) is not mandatory if diagnostic benefit outweighs risk and consent is
obtained.
pg. 2
, Question 5
An RDH notices that the office’s ultrasonic scaler’s irrigation tubing has visible biofilm.
She runs a gallon of distilled water through the line and resumes treatment. Did this
action meet California infection-control standards?
A. Yes—flushing removes microbial contamination
B. No—lines must be disinfected with EPA-registered hospital disinfectant daily
C. No—lines must be sterilized between patients
D. Yes—biofilm is acceptable if water is clear
Answer: B. No—lines must be disinfected with EPA-registered hospital
disinfectant daily
Solution: Cal/OSHA §5193 and Dental Board Infection-Control Guidelines require daily
disinfection of reusable dental waterlines with an EPA-registered hospital
disinfectant effective against biofilm. Flushing alone is insufficient.
Question 6
An RDH orders 1 % lidocaine with 1:100k epinephrine via telephone prescription for
a patient of record. Which statement is true?
A. Telephone prescriptions are unlawful for all controlled substances
B. The RDH may order only if the dentist signs the written Rx within 7 days
C. Lidocaine is not a controlled substance; telephone order is lawful
D. A paper Rx must be mailed within 24 h
Answer: C. Lidocaine is not a controlled substance; telephone order is lawful
Solution: Lidocaine is not a federal or California controlled substance; thus a
telephone or oral prescription to a pharmacy is lawful and does not require
subsequent written verification.
Question 7
A solo-dentist employer dies suddenly. May the RDH continue to treat patients already
scheduled for the next week?
A. Yes—under “good-faith” exemption for 30 days
B. Yes—if a written supervisory agreement is filed with the Board within 72 h
C. No—the supervisory relationship terminates immediately
D. Yes—if the RDH obtains temporary dentist supervision
Answer: C. No—the supervisory relationship terminates immediately
Solution: The death of the supervising dentist instantly ends the legal supervisory
framework. The RDH must cease all treatment until a new supervising dentist
assumes responsibility (Bus. & Prof. Code §1906.5).
pg. 3
