Massachusetts
Dental Jurisprudence
Complete Exam Review
(With Solutions)
2026
1
,1. Case: A licensed dental hygienist in a Massachusetts clinic
performs a prophylaxis while the supervising dentist is in the building
but not in the operatory.
Question: Which level of supervision most accurately applies under
Massachusetts practice rules?
- A. Direct supervision
- B. Indirect supervision
- C. General supervision
- D. Personal supervision
Answer: B. Indirect supervision
Rationale: Indirect supervision describes when the dentist is on the
premises and available for consultation though not physically present
in the operatory; many state rules require the dentist to be on-site for
certain delegated procedures.
2. Case: A dentist delegates application of fluoride varnish to a dental
assistant after providing written protocol and training; the dentist will
not be present that day.
Question: Which supervision/delegation principle is being tested?
- A. Task may be delegated under general supervision if state
regulation permits
- B. Task requires direct supervision and cannot be delegated
- C. Task is outside scope of dental assistant and illegal
- D. Task requires remote tele-supervision only
Answer: A. General supervision
Rationale: Application of fluoride varnish is commonly delegable
under general supervision where statute or board rules allow
delegation after training and written protocol.
3. Case: A dental assistant in Massachusetts is asked to take
intraoral radiographs. The assistant completed required radiation
safety training and the dentist authorized the procedure.
Question: Which legal requirement must be satisfied before the
2
, assistant proceeds?
- A. No requirements beyond verbal permission
- B. Documentation of training and compliance with state radiation
regulations
- C. Assistant must be a licensed hygienist
- D. Dentist must personally hold the film during exposure
Answer: B. Documentation of training and compliance with state
radiation regulations
Rationale: Radiography delegation requires documented training
and adherence to state radiation safety rules and board regulations.
4. Case: A hygienist discovers untreated caries and writes a
treatment plan without consulting the dentist.
Question: Which legal/ethical issue is most directly implicated?
- A. Beneficence
- B. Practicing beyond scope and unauthorized diagnosis
- C. Informed consent
- D. Malpractice insurance coverage
Answer: B. Practicing beyond scope and unauthorized diagnosis
Rationale: Diagnosis and treatment planning are reserved to
dentists; a hygienist independently creating a plan risks practicing
beyond scope and violating regulations.
5. Case: A patient requests a copy of their dental records and
radiographs. The practice delays release for 30 days without
explanation.
Question: Which legal principle is implicated?
- A. Autonomy and statutory right of access to records
- B. Nonmaleficence
- C. Criminal law
- D. Contract law only
Answer: A. Autonomy and statutory right of access to records
Rationale: Patients have a legal right to timely access to their
records; undue delay may violate statute and the ethical duty to
respect autonomy.
3
Dental Jurisprudence
Complete Exam Review
(With Solutions)
2026
1
,1. Case: A licensed dental hygienist in a Massachusetts clinic
performs a prophylaxis while the supervising dentist is in the building
but not in the operatory.
Question: Which level of supervision most accurately applies under
Massachusetts practice rules?
- A. Direct supervision
- B. Indirect supervision
- C. General supervision
- D. Personal supervision
Answer: B. Indirect supervision
Rationale: Indirect supervision describes when the dentist is on the
premises and available for consultation though not physically present
in the operatory; many state rules require the dentist to be on-site for
certain delegated procedures.
2. Case: A dentist delegates application of fluoride varnish to a dental
assistant after providing written protocol and training; the dentist will
not be present that day.
Question: Which supervision/delegation principle is being tested?
- A. Task may be delegated under general supervision if state
regulation permits
- B. Task requires direct supervision and cannot be delegated
- C. Task is outside scope of dental assistant and illegal
- D. Task requires remote tele-supervision only
Answer: A. General supervision
Rationale: Application of fluoride varnish is commonly delegable
under general supervision where statute or board rules allow
delegation after training and written protocol.
3. Case: A dental assistant in Massachusetts is asked to take
intraoral radiographs. The assistant completed required radiation
safety training and the dentist authorized the procedure.
Question: Which legal requirement must be satisfied before the
2
, assistant proceeds?
- A. No requirements beyond verbal permission
- B. Documentation of training and compliance with state radiation
regulations
- C. Assistant must be a licensed hygienist
- D. Dentist must personally hold the film during exposure
Answer: B. Documentation of training and compliance with state
radiation regulations
Rationale: Radiography delegation requires documented training
and adherence to state radiation safety rules and board regulations.
4. Case: A hygienist discovers untreated caries and writes a
treatment plan without consulting the dentist.
Question: Which legal/ethical issue is most directly implicated?
- A. Beneficence
- B. Practicing beyond scope and unauthorized diagnosis
- C. Informed consent
- D. Malpractice insurance coverage
Answer: B. Practicing beyond scope and unauthorized diagnosis
Rationale: Diagnosis and treatment planning are reserved to
dentists; a hygienist independently creating a plan risks practicing
beyond scope and violating regulations.
5. Case: A patient requests a copy of their dental records and
radiographs. The practice delays release for 30 days without
explanation.
Question: Which legal principle is implicated?
- A. Autonomy and statutory right of access to records
- B. Nonmaleficence
- C. Criminal law
- D. Contract law only
Answer: A. Autonomy and statutory right of access to records
Rationale: Patients have a legal right to timely access to their
records; undue delay may violate statute and the ethical duty to
respect autonomy.
3
