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CA Dental Law & Ethics study materials
CA Dental Law & Ethics study resources

CA Dental Law & Ethics practice questions

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Question 1Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

Which entity is responsible for issuing dental licenses in California?

  1. The American Dental Association
  2. The California Department of Public Health
  3. The California Dental Association
  4. The Dental Board of California Correct answer.

Explanation

The Dental Board of California, a regulatory board within the Department of Consumer Affairs, issues licenses and enforces the Dental Practice Act. The CDA and ADA are professional membership organizations without licensing authority, and CDPH does not license dentists.

Question 2Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

Which of the following is a minimum educational requirement to apply for a California dental license?

  1. A bachelor's degree in any field
  2. Completion of a two-year dental assisting program
  3. Graduation from a dental school approved by the Dental Board Correct answer.
  4. Passage of the California bar examination

Explanation

Applicants must graduate from a dental school accredited by CODA or otherwise approved by the Board, and must also pass required examinations. A dental assisting program or unrelated bachelor's degree does not qualify a person for dental licensure.

Question 3Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

Which requirement applies to a person seeking an RDA license in California?

  1. Completing a Board-approved RDA educational program and required examinations Correct answer.
  2. Holding a registered dental hygienist license
  3. Completing only on-the-job training in a dental office
  4. Holding a doctor of dental surgery degree

Explanation

RDA licensure requires completion of a Board-approved educational program, passage of required examinations, and compliance with other Board requirements. On-the-job training alone does not qualify for RDA licensure.

Question 4Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

Practicing dentistry in California without a valid license is generally classified as which type of offense?

  1. An infraction
  2. A misdemeanor Correct answer.
  3. A felony
  4. A civil violation only

Explanation

Unlicensed practice of dentistry is a misdemeanor under the Dental Practice Act and may result in criminal penalties as well as civil remedies. It is not merely an infraction or a civil matter.

Question 5Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

Which task is within the scope of practice of a licensed dentist but not a registered dental hygienist?

  1. Performing scaling and root planing
  2. Diagnosing dental caries Correct answer.
  3. Applying topical fluoride
  4. Performing an oral prophylaxis

Explanation

Diagnosis of dental disease is part of the practice of dentistry and is reserved to licensed dentists. Hygienists may provide preventive and therapeutic services such as prophylaxis, scaling, and fluoride application.

Question 6Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

California dentists must complete how many continuing education hours per two-year renewal cycle, including infection control?

  1. 15 hours
  2. 10 hours
  3. 25 hours, including 2 hours of infection control Correct answer.
  4. 50 hours

Explanation

Dentists must complete 25 hours of continuing education every two years, with at least 2 hours in infection control and 2 hours in the Dental Practice Act. The other totals do not meet the statutory requirement.

Question 7Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

How often must a California dental license be renewed?

  1. Every three years
  2. Every two years Correct answer.
  3. Every five years
  4. Every year

Explanation

Dental licenses in California are renewed biennially, and renewal requires compliance with continuing education and other Board requirements. Annual, triennial, and five-year cycles are incorrect.

Question 8Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

An unlicensed dental assistant may expose dental radiographs only when the assistant:

  1. Is at least 21 years old
  2. Is directly supervised by a dentist at all times
  3. Holds a current radiation safety certificate Correct answer.
  4. Has obtained the patient's written consent

Explanation

California requires dental assistants who expose radiographs to complete a Board-approved radiation safety course and hold the appropriate certificate. Age and patient consent alone do not authorize radiograph exposure.

Question 9Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

Under California law, 'direct supervision' of a dental procedure means that the supervising dentist:

  1. May delegate supervision to any staff member
  2. Has authorized the procedure in writing without examining the patient
  3. Is available by telephone but not on site
  4. Is physically present in the dental office and has examined the patient Correct answer.

Explanation

Direct supervision requires the dentist to be physically present in the office when the procedure is performed and to have examined the patient. Telephone availability or written authorization alone does not meet the definition.

Question 10Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

Which licensee may practice independently, without dentist supervision, in settings such as a patient's home or a school?

  1. An orthodontic assistant
  2. A registered dental hygienist in alternative practice Correct answer.
  3. A registered dental assistant
  4. A registered dental assistant in extended functions

Explanation

The RDHAP license authorizes independent practice in specified settings such as residences, schools, and certain public health programs. RDAs, RDAEFs, and orthodontic assistants must work under dentist supervision.

Question 11Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

Which procedure may a registered dental assistant in extended functions (RDAEF) perform that a basic RDA may not?

  1. Applying fluoride varnish
  2. Exposing dental radiographs
  3. Placing a composite restoration Correct answer.
  4. Coronal polishing

Explanation

RDAEFs complete additional training and may perform restorative functions such as placing composite restorations under direct supervision. Coronal polishing, radiographs, and fluoride are within basic RDA or dental assistant scope.

Question 12Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

Which pathway allows a dentist licensed in another state to obtain a California license without retaking a clinical licensure examination?

  1. Licensure by credential Correct answer.
  2. Reciprocity with any state
  3. Automatic endorsement by the ADA
  4. A temporary volunteer license

Explanation

California offers licensure by credential to qualifying dentists licensed in other states who meet experience, examination, and good-standing requirements. There is no automatic reciprocity or ADA endorsement.

Question 13Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

Which examination is specifically required for California dental licensure in addition to the national board and clinical examinations?

  1. The California law and ethics examination Correct answer.
  2. The dental assisting radiation safety examination
  3. The California bar examination
  4. The certified public accountant examination

Explanation

Applicants for a California dental license must pass the California law and ethics examination, which covers the Dental Practice Act and related regulations. The other examinations are unrelated to dental licensure.

Question 14Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

To renew a California dental license, a dentist must maintain current certification in:

  1. Advanced cardiac life support
  2. First aid only
  3. OSHA 30-hour construction safety
  4. Basic life support (CPR) Correct answer.

Explanation

Dentists must maintain current basic life support certification at the healthcare provider level as a condition of license renewal. ACLS, first aid alone, and OSHA construction training are not the required certification.

Question 15Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

Which statement about an inactive California dental license is correct?

  1. The license converts to an RDA license
  2. The licensee may continue practicing part-time
  3. The licensee may practice if supervised
  4. The licensee may not practice dentistry while inactive Correct answer.

Explanation

An inactive license does not authorize the practice of dentistry; the licensee must reactivate the license before treating patients. It does not permit limited or supervised practice and does not convert to another license type.

Question 16Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

Before a dentist may administer conscious sedation in California, the dentist must:

  1. Obtain a physician's prescription for each patient
  2. Notify the local hospital
  3. Obtain a conscious sedation permit from the Dental Board Correct answer.
  4. Complete an ADA membership application

Explanation

Dentists must obtain a conscious sedation permit from the Dental Board after completing required training and meeting facility standards. Hospital notification or ADA membership does not authorize sedation.

Question 17Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

A registered dental hygienist may administer local anesthesia only after:

  1. Obtaining a separate dental degree
  2. Completing Board-approved training and working under direct supervision Correct answer.
  3. Receiving a dentist's verbal approval by phone
  4. Completing an RDA program

Explanation

California allows RDHs to administer local anesthesia after completing Board-approved education and under direct supervision of a dentist. A phone approval, RDA training, or dental degree is not the pathway.

Question 18Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

'General supervision' of a dental hygienist generally means that the supervising dentist:

  1. Must be physically present in the operatory
  2. Must be in the same building
  3. Has authorized the procedure but need not be physically present Correct answer.
  4. Must examine the patient immediately before treatment

Explanation

General supervision allows the hygienist to perform authorized procedures without the dentist being physically present, although the dentist retains responsibility. Direct supervision requires physical presence.

Question 19Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

An orthodontic assistant in California must:

  1. Hold an orthodontic assistant permit issued by the Board Correct answer.
  2. Hold a dental degree
  3. Work only in orthodontic specialty offices
  4. Be licensed as an RDAEF

Explanation

California requires orthodontic assistants to obtain an orthodontic assistant permit from the Dental Board after completing required training. A dental degree or RDAEF license is not required, and practice is not limited to specialty offices.

Question 20Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

Which procedure requires a dental assistant to complete a Board-approved coronal polishing course before performing it?

  1. Preparing the treatment room
  2. Seating patients
  3. Coronal polishing Correct answer.
  4. Sterilizing instruments

Explanation

Coronal polishing is a delegated procedure that requires completion of a Board-approved course; assistants without that training may not perform it. Sterilizing instruments, seating patients, and preparing the treatment room are generally permissible supportive tasks.

Question 21Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

A graduate of a dental school not accredited by CODA generally must do which of the following to qualify for California dental licensure?

  1. Obtain an RDA license first
  2. Practice for one year under a temporary permit without further education
  3. Pass only the California law and ethics examination
  4. Complete at least two academic years at a CODA-accredited dental school and receive a DDS or DMD Correct answer.

Explanation

Graduates of non-CODA-accredited foreign dental schools generally must complete a minimum of two academic years at a CODA-accredited dental school and earn a DDS or DMD, in addition to other licensure requirements. The Board may recognize limited alternative pathways, but not mere law and ethics passage or RDA licensure.

Question 22Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

A California dentist may announce a specialty practice only if the dentist:

  1. Obtains a separate specialty license from the state
  2. Passes a written advertising examination
  3. Joins the corresponding specialty association
  4. Has completed an advanced education program in that specialty recognized by the Board Correct answer.

Explanation

A dentist may advertise as a specialist only after completing an advanced education program in the specialty that is recognized by the Board, or meeting equivalent board-certification requirements. California does not issue separate specialty licenses, and association membership is not the legal test.

Question 23Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

An RDAEF performing a restorative procedure must be under which level of supervision?

  1. General supervision
  2. Direct supervision Correct answer.
  3. Unsupervised practice
  4. Indirect supervision

Explanation

RDAEF restorative functions are delegated only under direct supervision, meaning the dentist is physically present and has examined the patient. General or indirect supervision is insufficient for these expanded functions.

Question 24Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

Under California's corporate practice doctrine, a dental practice may generally be owned by:

  1. A licensed dentist or a dental corporation owned by dentists Correct answer.
  2. A hospital without dental ownership
  3. Any business corporation with a dental license
  4. A non-dentist investor who hires dentists

Explanation

California limits ownership of dental practices to licensed dentists and dental corporations that meet ownership requirements. Non-dentists generally may not own a dental practice or employ dentists to provide dental services.

Question 25Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

An RDHAP may provide dental hygiene services without dentist supervision when:

  1. Services are provided in an approved setting such as a patient's residence or school Correct answer.
  2. The patient signs a waiver
  3. The RDHAP works in any private dental office
  4. The RDHAP has a separate surgical permit

Explanation

RDHAPs may practice independently in specified settings, including residences, schools, and certain public health programs, and must refer patients for dental care when needed. A waiver, general private office, or surgical permit is not the basis for independent practice.

Question 26Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

Which California entity is responsible for licensing dentists and dental auxiliaries?

  1. The California Department of Public Health
  2. The local county dental society
  3. The American Dental Association
  4. The Dental Board of California Correct answer.

Explanation

The Dental Board of California, within the Department of Consumer Affairs, issues licenses to dentists and dental auxiliaries and enforces the Dental Practice Act. The Department of Public Health addresses public health matters, while the ADA and county dental societies are professional organizations rather than licensing bodies.

Question 27Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

Which statement about the title "registered dental assistant" in California is correct?

  1. It may be used only by a person licensed as an RDA. Correct answer.
  2. It may be used after completing a Board-approved radiography course.
  3. It may be used by any assistant with one year of experience.
  4. It may be used by an assistant employed in a dental office.

Explanation

The title "registered dental assistant" is reserved for a person who holds a current RDA license issued by the Dental Board of California. An unlicensed assistant may work as a dental assistant but may not represent themselves as an RDA. Completing a radiography course or being employed in an office does not confer RDA status.

Question 28Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

An unlicensed dental assistant may perform which task under a dentist's direct supervision?

  1. Mix alginate impression material Correct answer.
  2. Scale supragingival calculus
  3. Administer local anesthesia
  4. Take a final impression for a crown

Explanation

Unlicensed dental assistants may perform basic supportive procedures, such as preparing and mixing dental materials, under direct supervision. Scaling, final impressions, and local anesthesia are clinical procedures that require appropriately licensed personnel.

Question 29Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

Which service is within the scope of a California registered dental hygienist but not a registered dental assistant?

  1. Coronal polishing after completing required training
  2. Exposing dental radiographs after a Board-approved course
  3. Taking alginate impressions for study casts
  4. Scaling and root planing Correct answer.

Explanation

Scaling and root planing are dental hygiene services within the scope of an RDH and are not authorized for an RDA. RDAs may perform coronal polishing, expose radiographs, and take study-cast impressions when the applicable requirements are met.

Question 30Licensure, Registration, and Scope of Practice

A dentist asks an RDA to perform a procedure that the RDA is not licensed to perform. Which statement is correct?

  1. Only the RDA can be disciplined because the dentist did not perform the task.
  2. The delegation is lawful if the dentist remains in the office.
  3. The dentist may face discipline for aiding unauthorized practice. Correct answer.
  4. The patient's signed consent makes the delegation lawful.

Explanation

A licensee may delegate only those duties that the auxiliary is authorized by law to perform. A dentist who directs or permits an auxiliary to practice beyond scope may be disciplined for aiding unauthorized practice. Neither physical supervision nor patient consent expands the auxiliary's legal scope.

Question 31Dentist-Patient Relationship and Informed Consent

Which of the following must a dentist disclose to obtain valid informed consent for a proposed crown?

  1. Material risks, alternatives, and the result of no treatment Correct answer.
  2. The dentist's own history of malpractice claims and settlements
  3. The wholesale cost of the materials used for the restoration
  4. The names of the dental laboratories the practice uses

Explanation

Valid informed consent requires disclosure of the nature of the condition, the proposed treatment, its material risks, reasonable alternatives, and the likely consequences of declining care. Malpractice history, material costs, and laboratory selection are business or personal matters, not elements of consent.

Question 32Dentist-Patient Relationship and Informed Consent

A 6-year-old is brought to the office by a neighbor who has no written authorization from the family. Whose consent is required before treatment?

  1. The neighbor, if the child is cooperative and calm
  2. The child, if the child understands the procedure
  3. Any adult who signs the office consent form
  4. The child's parent or legal guardian Correct answer.

Explanation

Only a parent, legal guardian, or an adult with documented legal authority may consent for a young child. A neighbor without written authority, the child, and an arbitrary adult cannot give legally effective consent.

Question 33Dentist-Patient Relationship and Informed Consent

A patient signs a detailed consent form but later says the dentist never discussed the risks. Which statement best reflects the rule?

  1. The form is invalid unless a witness also signs it
  2. Consent is a process; a signature alone does not prove it Correct answer.
  3. The form transfers responsibility for risks to the patient
  4. The signed form is conclusive proof that informed consent was given

Explanation

Consent is a communication process between the dentist and the patient; a signed form documents but does not replace that discussion. A form does not shift risks to the patient or become conclusive merely because it was signed.

Question 34Dentist-Patient Relationship and Informed Consent

An unconscious patient is brought in after a bicycle crash with a fractured anterior tooth and ongoing bleeding. What justifies treatment without a signed consent?

  1. Implied consent under the emergency exception Correct answer.
  2. The dentist's duty to bill for emergency care
  3. Consent given later by the patient's employer
  4. The police officer's verbal authorization

Explanation

In a true emergency where delay would risk serious harm and no authorized person is available, consent is implied by law. Neither a police officer nor an employer can consent to treatment for an adult patient.

Question 35Dentist-Patient Relationship and Informed Consent

During a root canal the patient raises a hand and says to stop. What is the dentist's obligation?

  1. Continue to seal the canal because stopping risks infection
  2. Stop, because consent may be withdrawn at any time Correct answer.
  3. Complete the procedure because consent was already given
  4. Ask the assistant to witness continued treatment

Explanation

A patient with capacity may limit or withdraw consent at any time, even after treatment has begun. The dentist must stop and may act only as needed to leave the patient in a safe condition.

Question 36Dentist-Patient Relationship and Informed Consent

A patient asks that a copy of the record be sent to a new dentist. What is required before the transfer?

  1. Approval from the Dental Board of California
  2. Nothing beyond the patient's verbal request by phone
  3. A subpoena issued by a court
  4. The patient's written authorization Correct answer.

Explanation

Records may be disclosed to third parties only with the patient's written authorization, unless a specific legal exception applies. A phone request, board approval, or a subpoena is not the standard route for a routine transfer to another dentist.

Question 37Dentist-Patient Relationship and Informed Consent

Which patient may consent to their own dental treatment without a parent or guardian?

  1. An emancipated 16-year-old Correct answer.
  2. A 15-year-old with a part-time job
  3. A 16-year-old accompanied by an aunt
  4. A 12-year-old who understands the procedure

Explanation

An emancipated minor, such as one who is married, in the military, or declared emancipated by a court, may consent to their own care. Otherwise, minority status requires parent or guardian consent regardless of employment or apparent understanding.

Question 38Dentist-Patient Relationship and Informed Consent

A patient declines the recommended extraction and leaves the office. What should the dentist do?

  1. Report the patient to the Dental Board of California
  2. Document the discussion and the patient's refusal Correct answer.
  3. Refuse any further appointments unless care is accepted
  4. Dismiss the patient from the practice the same day

Explanation

A competent adult may refuse any treatment; the dentist's duty is to explain the consequences and document the informed refusal. Dismissing or reporting the patient is inappropriate, and the patient may still be seen for other needs.

Question 39Dentist-Patient Relationship and Informed Consent

Which step is required before ending the dentist-patient relationship to avoid a finding of abandonment?

  1. A refund of all fees the patient has paid
  2. Immediate dismissal with no further contact
  3. A chart note stating that the patient was difficult
  4. Written notice and reasonable time to arrange other care Correct answer.

Explanation

To avoid abandonment, the dentist must give written notice, allow reasonable time to find another provider, and make arrangements for interim and emergency care and for records. An unannounced dismissal or a vague chart note is not sufficient.

Question 40Dentist-Patient Relationship and Informed Consent

A former patient with an unpaid balance asks for a copy of the record. The dentist may:

  1. Provide the copy and charge a reasonable copying fee Correct answer.
  2. Refuse until the balance is paid in full
  3. Release only a summary prepared by the dentist
  4. Require the patient to come in for a full re-examination

Explanation

A patient or former patient is entitled to a copy of the record; the practice may charge a reasonable copying fee but may not withhold records to collect a debt. A summary does not substitute for the record that was requested.

Question 41Dentist-Patient Relationship and Informed Consent

Under California law, which of the following is required before dental services are delivered by teledentistry?

  1. Verbal or written consent, documented in the chart Correct answer.
  2. Two dentist signatures on the treatment plan
  3. A notarized consent form mailed to the dental board
  4. A prior in-person examination before any telehealth visit

Explanation

California requires that before health care is delivered by telehealth, the provider obtain verbal or written consent and document it in the record. A prior in-person visit is not universally mandated, and notarization or dual signatures are not required.

Question 42Dentist-Patient Relationship and Informed Consent

A dentist diagnoses a condition that falls outside the dentist's training and experience. What is the appropriate action?

  1. Tell the patient that no treatment is available
  2. Attempt treatment and refer only if it fails
  3. Refer the patient to an appropriate practitioner Correct answer.
  4. Ask the patient to research the condition independently

Explanation

A dentist must practice within the scope of their competence; when a condition exceeds that scope, the patient must be referred to an appropriate practitioner. Attempting treatment and referring only after failure exposes the patient to avoidable risk.

Question 43Dentist-Patient Relationship and Informed Consent

An adult arrives for elective cosmetic treatment appearing intoxicated. What is the best course of action?

  1. Proceed if the patient signs the consent form
  2. Defer elective care and document the reason Correct answer.
  3. Obtain telephone consent from a relative
  4. Proceed with a staff member as a witness

Explanation

Impairment can compromise a patient's capacity to give informed consent, so elective care should be postponed until the patient can consent meaningfully. A signature obtained while impaired, or a relative's approval, does not cure the problem.

Question 44Dentist-Patient Relationship and Informed Consent

A dentist notices injuries on a young patient that raise a reasonable suspicion of abuse. What does California law require?

  1. Referring the matter to the family's attorney
  2. Reporting only after confirming the matter with the parents
  3. Keeping the suspicion confidential to protect the family
  4. Reporting to the appropriate authorities as a mandated reporter Correct answer.

Explanation

Dentists are mandated reporters; a reasonable suspicion of child abuse must be reported to the proper authorities, and patient confidentiality does not bar that report. Investigating the facts or seeking parental confirmation is not the dentist's role.

Question 45Dentist-Patient Relationship and Informed Consent

A dentist-patient relationship is ordinarily established when:

  1. The dentist accepts the patient for treatment Correct answer.
  2. The patient first telephones the office
  3. An appointment is placed on the schedule
  4. An insurance claim is submitted for the visit

Explanation

The relationship arises when the dentist accepts the patient for care, creating duties of care, confidentiality, and non-abandonment. A phone call, a scheduled appointment, or an insurance submission alone does not create the relationship.

Question 46Dentist-Patient Relationship and Informed Consent

A trained assistant reviews the consent form with the patient and obtains the signature. Who is responsible for ensuring informed consent was given?

  1. The office manager on duty
  2. The assistant who obtained the signature
  3. The patient, who must read the form
  4. The dentist Correct answer.

Explanation

The dentist who will perform the treatment bears responsibility for the informed consent discussion and cannot delegate that duty to staff, even when staff handle the paperwork.

Question 47Dentist-Patient Relationship and Informed Consent

Which standard defines the risks that must be disclosed to a patient?

  1. Risks listed in the manufacturer's instructions
  2. Risks the dentist personally considers important
  3. Risks that occur in more than half of all cases
  4. Risks a reasonable patient would find significant Correct answer.

Explanation

Materiality of a risk is judged by what a reasonable patient in similar circumstances would want to know, not by the dentist's personal view or by pure statistical frequency.

Question 48Dentist-Patient Relationship and Informed Consent

After an informed consent discussion, what should the dentist enter in the record?

  1. Only the procedure name and the date
  2. The signed form, with no further notes
  3. A note that the patient asked no questions
  4. The discussion, alternatives, and the patient's choice Correct answer.

Explanation

The chart should reflect that a discussion occurred, what was covered, and what the patient decided, because the record is the best evidence of consent. Filing the form without notes, or noting only that no questions were asked, does not show the conversation.

Question 49Dentist-Patient Relationship and Informed Consent

A dentist wants to post before-and-after photographs of a patient on social media. What is required?

  1. A verbal approval captured on video
  2. Nothing, if the patient's eyes are cropped out
  3. The patient's written authorization Correct answer.
  4. Approval from the state dental board

Explanation

Using identifiable patient images for marketing requires written authorization consistent with privacy law. Cropping the eyes does not necessarily prevent identification, and neither verbal approval nor board clearance substitutes for written authorization.

Question 50Dentist-Patient Relationship and Informed Consent

A patient speaks limited English. How should informed consent be obtained?

  1. By relying on gestures and pointing at a diagram
  2. Through a qualified interpreter, with the consent documented Correct answer.
  3. By having the patient's young child translate the discussion
  4. By providing an English form for the patient to sign

Explanation

Consent must be given in a language the patient understands, so a qualified interpreter should be used and the arrangement documented. Relying on a child, an English-only form, or gestures does not establish informed consent.