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MD Dental Hygiene Jurisprudence study materials
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MD Dental Hygiene Jurisprudence practice questions

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Question 1Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

Under the Maryland Dental Practice Act, which individual is authorized to practice dental hygiene?

  1. A person certified in radiography by the state board
  2. A dental student who has completed preclinical training
  3. A dental assistant with two years of chairside experience
  4. A person holding a current Maryland dental hygiene license Correct answer.

Explanation

Maryland requires licensure before a person may practice dental hygiene; the license is issued by the State Board of Dental Examiners. Experience, partial training, or a radiography certification does not substitute for a dental hygiene license. Practicing without the license exposes the person to unlicensed-practice penalties.

Question 2Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

Which entity issues and renews dental hygiene licenses in Maryland?

  1. The Maryland Higher Education Commission
  2. The Maryland Department of Health
  3. The State Board of Dental Examiners Correct answer.
  4. The local health department of the licensee's county

Explanation

The State Board of Dental Examiners is the regulatory body that licenses dentists and dental hygienists and administers renewal. The Department of Health and local health departments have public health roles but do not issue hygiene licenses. The Higher Education Commission oversees academic programs rather than professional licensure.

Question 3Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

Maryland dental hygienists may provide services to patients only when which condition is met?

  1. The patient signs a general liability waiver
  2. A supervising or collaborating dentist has authorized the care as the law requires Correct answer.
  3. The patient pays in full before treatment
  4. The hygienist has five years of clinical experience

Explanation

Dental hygiene practice in Maryland operates within a framework of dentist supervision or collaboration, depending on the setting and the specific delegation. Care must fall within that authorized scope. Waivers, experience levels, and payment arrangements do not create independent authority to treat.

Question 4Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

A hygienist in Maryland wishes to administer local anesthesia. Which statement reflects the statutory requirement?

  1. The hygienist must hold the required additional certification and meet the board's conditions Correct answer.
  2. A dental assistant may administer it under direct supervision
  3. Any licensed hygienist may administer it without additional training
  4. Only a dentist may ever administer local anesthesia in any setting

Explanation

Maryland allows dental hygienists to administer local anesthesia only after completing the additional education and certification the Board requires, and within the authorized supervision conditions. The authority is not automatic upon hygiene licensure. Dental assistants are not authorized to administer local anesthesia.

Question 5Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

A Maryland hygienist is asked to place a permanent restoration after caries removal. How should the hygienist respond under the practice act?

  1. Proceed, because the patient consented in writing
  2. Decline, because restorative procedures fall outside the dental hygiene scope Correct answer.
  3. Proceed, because the dentist is in the building
  4. Decline unless a dental assistant assists with the procedure

Explanation

The dental hygiene scope in Maryland covers preventive and related services but does not include operative restorative dentistry such as placing permanent restorations. The presence of the dentist or patient consent does not expand the statutory scope. Assisting personnel cannot convert a nondelegable procedure into a hygiene task.

Question 6Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

Which of the following is most consistent with the dental hygiene scope of practice in Maryland?

  1. Administering a local anesthetic block without certification
  2. Performing a complete denture reline
  3. Diagnosing a periapical abscess from a radiograph
  4. Providing dental prophylaxis and patient education Correct answer.

Explanation

Prophylaxis and patient education are core preventive services within the dental hygiene scope. Denture relining and definitive diagnosis of pathology are dentist responsibilities. Local anesthesia requires separate certification rather than being a default hygiene function.

Question 7Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

A patient asks a Maryland hygienist to disclose their treatment records to a new dentist. What is the most appropriate action?

  1. Release the records only if the patient pays an additional fee
  2. Release the records after obtaining the patient's authorization as required by law Correct answer.
  3. Post the records to a public portal for the new dentist
  4. Refuse, because records may never be shared between providers

Explanation

Patient records are confidential, and disclosure to another provider generally requires the patient's authorization consistent with Maryland confidentiality law. Records are not absolutely barred from transfer, and fees cannot be used to condition authorized disclosure. Public posting would violate confidentiality.

Question 8Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

A Maryland hygienist suspects that a child's injuries are the result of abuse. What does Maryland law require?

  1. Wait for the dentist to file any report
  2. Report the suspicion to the appropriate child protective authority Correct answer.
  3. Keep the matter confidential and take no action
  4. Confront the parent before taking any action

Explanation

Maryland mandates that health care practitioners, including dental hygienists, report suspected child abuse or neglect to the designated protective authority. The duty is personal and does not depend on confronting the family or waiting for another provider. Confidentiality yields to the mandatory reporting obligation.

Question 9Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

A hygienist in Maryland is convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude. What is the most likely regulatory consequence?

  1. A mandatory pay increase at the practice
  2. Automatic promotion to an expanded scope
  3. Board discipline, which may include license suspension or revocation Correct answer.
  4. No consequence unless the crime occurred at work

Explanation

The Board may discipline a licensee for specified offenses, including crimes involving moral turpitude, and sanctions can include suspension, revocation, or other conditions. The location of the offense is not the deciding factor. There is no mechanism by which a conviction expands scope or benefits the licensee.

Question 10Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

Which behavior most clearly constitutes unprofessional conduct under the Maryland practice act?

  1. Attending a continuing education course
  2. Documenting treatment in the record
  3. Practicing while impaired by alcohol or drugs Correct answer.
  4. Referring a patient to a specialist

Explanation

Practicing while impaired is a recognized form of unprofessional conduct that endangers patients and supports Board discipline. Continuing education, appropriate referrals, and documentation are expected professional behaviors. These legitimate activities do not constitute misconduct.

Question 11Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

A Maryland hygienist wants to advertise services in a way that complies with the practice act. Which approach is safest?

  1. Claim specialty status in periodontics without any credential
  2. Use a patient's photo without consent as a testimonial
  3. Promise guaranteed results for every patient
  4. Advertise only truthful, non-misleading statements about services the hygienist is licensed to provide Correct answer.

Explanation

Advertising must be truthful and not misleading, and it may describe only services the licensee is authorized to perform. Claiming an unrecognized specialty, guaranteeing outcomes, or using patient images without consent are deceptive or violate confidentiality. These practices invite Board action.

Question 12Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

A hygienist moves from another state to Maryland and holds a valid license there. What must generally occur before practicing in Maryland?

  1. Begin practicing and apply within one year
  2. Obtain a Maryland license through the Board's licensure process Correct answer.
  3. Only notify the local dental society
  4. Nothing, because licenses are valid nationwide

Explanation

Licensure is state-specific, so a hygienist must obtain a Maryland license through the Board before practicing here. Out-of-state licensure alone does not authorize practice in Maryland. Notifying a professional society or delaying the application does not create authority.

Question 13Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

How many continuing education requirements must a Maryland dental hygienist satisfy to renew a license?

  1. No continuing education is required after initial licensure
  2. The continuing education hours the Board requires for each renewal cycle Correct answer.
  3. Only a one-time course taken at licensure
  4. Continuing education is required only after a disciplinary action

Explanation

Maryland conditions license renewal on completing the continuing education hours the Board specifies for the renewal cycle. The requirement is ongoing rather than a one-time event at licensure. Discipline may add conditions but is not the trigger for the basic requirement.

Question 14Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

A Maryland hygienist discovers that a colleague is practicing with an expired license. What is the most appropriate professional response?

  1. Ignore it because licensure is a personal matter
  2. Publicly accuse the colleague on social media
  3. Take over the colleague's patients without notifying anyone
  4. Report the concern to the State Board of Dental Examiners Correct answer.

Explanation

Unlicensed or lapsed-license practice threatens patient safety, and reporting to the Board is the appropriate channel. Public accusations and unilateral patient takeovers are unprofessional and do not address the regulatory violation. Licensure compliance is a shared professional concern, not a purely private matter.

Question 15Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

Which statement best describes the role of the dentist in the dental hygiene relationship under Maryland law?

  1. The dental assistant sets the supervision level
  2. The dentist's supervision or collaboration is defined by statute and board rule Correct answer.
  3. The hygienist may practice independently in all settings without any dentist
  4. The dentist has no involvement once a hygienist is licensed

Explanation

Maryland statutes and Board rules define the supervision or collaboration arrangements under which hygienists provide care, and these vary by setting. A hygienist does not operate wholly free of dentist involvement in every setting. Assistants have no authority to set supervision levels.

Question 16Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

A Maryland hygienist is asked to perform a procedure that the dentist has delegated but that the hygienist believes is outside the statutory scope. What should the hygienist do?

  1. Decline, because delegation cannot expand the statutory scope Correct answer.
  2. Perform it only if no one else is available
  3. Perform it if the patient signs a consent form
  4. Perform it because the dentist delegated it

Explanation

A dentist's delegation cannot authorize a hygienist to exceed the scope the legislature has defined. The hygienist remains personally responsible for practicing within legal limits. Consent or staffing shortages do not create authority for an out-of-scope procedure.

Question 17Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

Which action by a Maryland hygienist would most likely violate the standard of patient recordkeeping?

  1. Altering a record to conceal a treatment error Correct answer.
  2. Keeping records for the period the Board requires
  3. Recording treatment accurately on the day it is provided
  4. Documenting a patient's refusal of recommended care

Explanation

Falsifying or altering records to conceal errors is a serious violation that undermines patient safety and the integrity of the record. Accurate contemporaneous documentation, retention for the required period, and noting refusals are all proper practices. Record integrity is a core professional obligation.

Question 18Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

A Maryland hygienist wants to provide services in a school-based sealant program. Which consideration governs whether the hygienist may participate?

  1. Whether the sealants are donated by a supplier
  2. Whether the program operates under the supervision or authorization the law permits for that setting Correct answer.
  3. Whether the hygienist has a personal friendship with the school principal
  4. Whether the parents are billed directly

Explanation

Public health and school-based programs must operate within the supervision or authorization arrangements Maryland law permits for those settings. Personal relationships, product donations, and billing methods do not establish legal authority. The setting shapes which practice model applies.

Question 19Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

Which statement about the dental hygiene license in Maryland is accurate?

  1. It must be renewed periodically to remain valid Correct answer.
  2. It is issued by the federal government
  3. It can be transferred to another person
  4. It authorizes practice indefinitely without renewal

Explanation

A Maryland dental hygiene license is time-limited and must be renewed to remain valid; renewal is tied to requirements such as continuing education. Licenses are personal credentials that cannot be transferred to another individual. Licensure is a state function, not a federal one.

Question 20Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

A patient offers a Maryland hygienist a gift to skip documenting a procedure. What is the appropriate response?

  1. Accept the gift and omit the documentation
  2. Decline and document the procedure as required Correct answer.
  3. Ask the dentist to decide whether to document
  4. Accept the gift but document only part of the procedure

Explanation

Documentation of care is a professional and legal obligation that cannot be waived in exchange for a gift. Accepting a payment to omit records would constitute falsification and unprofessional conduct. The duty to document rests with the provider who rendered the care.

Question 21Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

Under Maryland law, which of the following best describes the consequence of practicing dental hygiene without a license?

  1. It is allowed during the first year after graduation
  2. It is permitted for family members only
  3. It may result in civil or criminal penalties Correct answer.
  4. It is permitted if the person is supervised by a dentist

Explanation

Unlicensed practice of dental hygiene is prohibited and can carry civil and criminal consequences under Maryland law. Dentist supervision does not cure the absence of a license. There is no family exception or post-graduation grace period that authorizes practice.

Question 22Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

A Maryland hygienist is asked to sign a dentist's name to a treatment note the dentist did not write. What is the correct course of action?

  1. Sign only if the treatment was actually performed
  2. Sign the dentist's name as requested
  3. Sign and add a small note in the margin
  4. Refuse, because falsifying another provider's signature is improper Correct answer.

Explanation

Signing another provider's name misrepresents who authored the record and constitutes falsification. Even if the treatment occurred, the hygienist may document only their own observations and actions. Marginal notes do not cure the misattribution.

Question 23Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

Which organization's code of ethics is most relevant to a Maryland dental hygienist's professional conduct obligations?

  1. The state nursing board
  2. The professional dental hygiene association's code of ethics Correct answer.
  3. The local chamber of commerce
  4. The state bar association

Explanation

The professional dental hygiene association maintains a code of ethics that guides conduct alongside the legal requirements of the practice act. Bar associations, chambers of commerce, and nursing boards govern unrelated professions. Ethical standards complement, but do not replace, statutory duties.

Question 24Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

A Maryland hygienist treats a patient and later realizes that an entry was recorded on the wrong patient's chart. What is the best action?

  1. Delete the entire record for both patients
  2. Leave the entry because correcting records is prohibited
  3. Ask the patient to correct the chart personally
  4. Add a dated correction identifying the error while preserving the original entry Correct answer.

Explanation

Record corrections should be made transparently by adding a dated amendment that identifies the error, rather than by deleting or obscuring the original entry. Patients should not be asked to alter clinical records. Preserving an audit trail protects both the patient and the provider.

Question 25Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

A Maryland hygienist is considering whether a task falls within the dental hygiene scope. Which source should be consulted first?

  1. A textbook from another state
  2. The Maryland Dental Practice Act and Board regulations Correct answer.
  3. A colleague's informal opinion
  4. A manufacturer's product instructions

Explanation

The Maryland Dental Practice Act and the Board's regulations are the authoritative sources for scope-of-practice questions in this state. Out-of-state materials, informal opinions, and product instructions do not establish legal authority. When uncertainty remains, the Board is the appropriate source of guidance.

Question 26Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

Under the Maryland Dental Practice Act, which entity is responsible for adopting rules and regulations that govern the practice of dental hygiene?

  1. The Maryland Insurance Administration
  2. The Maryland Dental Hygienists' Association
  3. The Maryland Department of Health
  4. The Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners Correct answer.

Explanation

The Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners is the regulatory body created by the Dental Practice Act and is authorized to adopt regulations necessary to carry out the Act, including those affecting dental hygienists. The Department of Health, professional associations, and insurance regulators do not have this rulemaking authority over dental hygiene practice.

Question 27Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

A Maryland dental hygienist is employed in a dental office. Which individual is legally responsible for the overall dental care provided to patients in that office?

  1. The dental assistant, for chairside support tasks
  2. The dentist who owns or is responsible for the practice Correct answer.
  3. The dental hygienist, for all hygiene services rendered
  4. The office manager, for scheduling and recordkeeping

Explanation

In Maryland, the dentist is responsible for the overall care of patients in the practice, including services delegated to and performed by dental hygienists. The hygienist is accountable for their own actions, but ultimate responsibility for the dental practice rests with the dentist.

Question 28Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

Which of the following is a requirement for licensure as a dental hygienist in Maryland?

  1. Graduation from a dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation Correct answer.
  2. Membership in the American Dental Hygienists' Association
  3. A minimum of two years of clinical experience in another state
  4. A bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited college

Explanation

Maryland requires graduation from a dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) as a prerequisite for licensure, along with passing the required examinations. Clinical experience in another state, association membership, and a general bachelor's degree are not licensure requirements.

Question 29Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

A licensed Maryland dental hygienist allows a dental assistant to perform a prophylaxis on a patient under the hygienist's direction. How does Maryland law characterize this arrangement?

  1. It is permitted if the assistant has completed a continuing education course.
  2. It is permitted if the patient signs a consent form.
  3. It is prohibited because the assistant is not licensed to perform that procedure. Correct answer.
  4. It is permitted if the dentist is in the office at the time.

Explanation

Dental prophylaxis is a procedure reserved for licensed dental hygienists or dentists under Maryland law. A dental assistant may not perform it even with supervision, consent, or additional coursework, because the assistant does not hold the required license.

Question 30Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

A Maryland dental hygienist is charged with a violation of the Dental Practice Act. Which of the following is a disciplinary action the Board may impose?

  1. Revocation of the license Correct answer.
  2. Criminal prosecution in circuit court
  3. Awarding of damages to the patient
  4. Referral of the matter to the Maryland Insurance Administration

Explanation

The Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners may impose a range of disciplinary sanctions, including revocation or suspension of a license, reprimand, probation, and fines. The Board does not prosecute crimes or award damages; those functions belong to courts and other bodies.

Question 31Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

A Maryland dental hygienist is employed by a dentist and is asked to perform a procedure that the dentist has delegated. Which statement best describes the legal basis for the hygienist to proceed?

  1. The hygienist may proceed because the patient has requested the procedure.
  2. The hygienist may proceed because the dentist has ultimate responsibility for the patient.
  3. The hygienist may proceed only if the procedure is within the dental hygiene scope of practice and properly delegated under the Act. Correct answer.
  4. The hygienist may proceed because delegation by a licensed dentist automatically expands the hygienist's scope.

Explanation

Delegation by a dentist does not expand the legal scope of practice of a dental hygienist. The hygienist may perform only those services that fall within the dental hygiene scope of practice and that are properly delegated and supervised as required by the Act and Board regulations.

Question 32Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

A Maryland dental hygienist is employed in a public health setting and is providing services without the prior examination of a dentist, as permitted by law. Which condition must be met for this practice?

  1. The hygienist must have at least five years of experience.
  2. The hygienist must be employed by a hospital.
  3. The hygienist must obtain written consent from each patient's physician.
  4. The hygienist must be authorized under a specific statutory exception or permit. Correct answer.

Explanation

Maryland law allows dental hygienists to practice in certain public health settings without the prior examination of a dentist only when specific statutory conditions or permits apply. These exceptions are defined by law and do not depend on years of experience, physician consent, or hospital employment.

Question 33Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

A Maryland dental hygienist is asked by a patient to explain the risks of a proposed dental treatment that the dentist will perform. What is the hygienist's most appropriate action?

  1. Provide a written summary of risks from a textbook.
  2. Explain the risks based on the hygienist's own knowledge.
  3. Refer the patient to the dentist for the explanation. Correct answer.
  4. Tell the patient that risks are not discussed in the office.

Explanation

Obtaining informed consent for dental treatment is the responsibility of the treating dentist. The hygienist should refer the patient to the dentist rather than providing independent risk explanations, which could exceed the hygienist's role in the consent process.

Question 34Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

A Maryland dental hygienist is issued a license and begins practicing. Which statement accurately describes the license renewal cycle for dental hygienists in Maryland?

  1. Licenses renew only when the hygienist changes employment.
  2. Licenses renew every two years and require continuing education. Correct answer.
  3. Licenses renew every five years with no continuing education.
  4. Licenses renew every year on the anniversary of issuance.

Explanation

Maryland dental hygiene licenses are renewed on a biennial cycle, and renewal requires completion of continuing education as specified by the Board. Annual renewal, five-year renewal without CE, and renewal tied to employment changes are not correct.

Question 35Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

A Maryland dental hygienist is considering whether to perform a newly developed procedure that is not explicitly listed in the Dental Practice Act. Which source should the hygienist consult first to determine whether the procedure is within the scope of practice?

  1. The regulations adopted by the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners Correct answer.
  2. The American Dental Association's Code of Ethics
  3. The policies of the hygienist's professional association
  4. The written office protocol of the employing dentist

Explanation

The scope of practice for dental hygienists in Maryland is defined by the Dental Practice Act and the regulations adopted by the Board. While ethics codes, association policies, and office protocols may provide guidance, the Board's regulations are the authoritative source for determining legal scope.

Question 36Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

A Maryland dental hygienist suspects that a dentist is practicing while impaired by alcohol. What is the hygienist's obligation under the Dental Practice Act?

  1. Report the impairment to the local police immediately.
  2. Discuss the matter with other staff members only.
  3. Report the impairment to the Board of Dental Examiners. Correct answer.
  4. Confront the dentist privately and take no further action.

Explanation

The Dental Practice Act imposes a duty on licensees to report to the Board any dentist or hygienist who is practicing while impaired or otherwise incompetent. Private confrontation, police notification, or staff discussion does not satisfy the statutory reporting obligation.

Question 37Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

A Maryland dental hygienist is asked to provide dental hygiene services in a mobile dental unit that travels to underserved communities. Which factor determines whether the hygienist may legally provide services in that setting?

  1. Whether the services are within the dental hygiene scope and the setting meets statutory requirements Correct answer.
  2. Whether the mobile unit is registered with the state health department
  3. Whether the hygienist has a separate mobile practice license
  4. Whether the patients are covered by Medicaid

Explanation

A dental hygienist may practice in a mobile or outreach setting as long as the services are within the dental hygiene scope of practice and the setting complies with any statutory or regulatory requirements. There is no separate mobile practice license, and payment source or registration alone does not determine legality.

Question 38Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

A Maryland dental hygienist is employed by a dentist who instructs the hygienist to perform a procedure that the hygienist believes is outside the dental hygiene scope. The hygienist refuses. Which statement best describes the legal consequence of the hygienist's refusal?

  1. The hygienist may perform the procedure if the dentist signs a waiver.
  2. The hygienist may be disciplined by the Board for insubordination.
  3. The hygienist must perform the procedure because the dentist is the supervisor.
  4. The hygienist has acted properly because a licensee may not perform services outside the scope of practice even if directed. Correct answer.

Explanation

A dental hygienist is personally responsible for complying with the scope of practice defined by law. Following a dentist's directive to perform an out-of-scope procedure would subject the hygienist to discipline; refusing to do so is the legally correct action.

Question 39Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

A Maryland dental hygienist has not yet renewed their license, which expired last month. The hygienist continues to see patients. Which statement describes the legal status of this practice?

  1. The hygienist may practice if continuing education is completed retroactively.
  2. The hygienist is practicing without a valid license and may be subject to disciplinary action. Correct answer.
  3. The hygienist may practice if the employing dentist approves.
  4. The hygienist may continue practicing during a grace period of six months.

Explanation

Practicing dental hygiene after a license has expired constitutes unlicensed practice, which is a violation of the Dental Practice Act and grounds for disciplinary action. There is no general grace period that permits continued practice after expiration, and employer approval or retroactive CE does not cure the violation.

Question 40Maryland Dental Practice Act and statutory framework

A Maryland dental hygienist is reviewing the Dental Practice Act to understand the limits of supervision required when providing services in a private dental office. Which statement best reflects the statutory framework?

  1. A dentist must be physically present in the office at all times when hygiene services are provided.
  2. Dental hygienists may practice entirely independently in any setting without any dentist involvement.
  3. Supervision requirements are set by the employing dentist's written policy alone.
  4. The level of supervision required depends on the specific service and the setting as defined by the Act and regulations. Correct answer.

Explanation

The Dental Practice Act and Board regulations specify different levels of supervision depending on the service being provided and the practice setting. There is no single rule requiring the dentist's physical presence at all times, nor does the law allow unrestricted independent practice in any setting.

Question 41Scope of practice and supervision levels for dental hygienists

Under the Maryland Dental Practice Act, which of the following tasks may a licensed dental hygienist perform without the direct supervision of a dentist?

  1. Administering a local anesthetic injection
  2. Performing a pulpotomy on a primary tooth
  3. Removing calculus deposits from the supragingival surfaces of teeth Correct answer.
  4. Extracting a mobile deciduous tooth

Explanation

Maryland permits hygienists to perform supragingival scaling and polishing as part of routine prophylaxis without a dentist physically present, provided the patient has been examined within the required timeframe. Local anesthesia, pulpotomies, and extractions are reserved for dentists.

Question 42Scope of practice and supervision levels for dental hygienists

In Maryland, what type of supervision is required when a dental hygienist administers local anesthesia?

  1. Independent practice without dentist involvement
  2. No supervision required after certification
  3. General supervision with remote consultation
  4. Direct supervision with the dentist physically present Correct answer.

Explanation

Maryland requires direct supervision for local anesthesia administration by a hygienist, meaning the dentist must be physically present and available. This ensures immediate management of adverse reactions.

Question 43Scope of practice and supervision levels for dental hygienists

A dental hygienist in Maryland wishes to perform periodontal scaling and root planing. Under what supervision level can this typically be performed?

  1. No supervision needed
  2. General supervision after dentist examination Correct answer.
  3. Independent practice
  4. Direct supervision only

Explanation

Scaling and root planing are considered non-surgical periodontal therapy that may be performed under general supervision in Maryland after the dentist has examined the patient. The dentist need not be physically present during the procedure.

Question 44Scope of practice and supervision levels for dental hygienists

Which of the following is a task that a Maryland dental hygienist may perform under general supervision?

  1. Taking dental radiographs Correct answer.
  2. Performing a surgical extraction
  3. Administering nitrous oxide sedation
  4. Diagnosing a carious lesion

Explanation

Dental radiographs may be taken by a hygienist under general supervision in Maryland. Surgical procedures, sedation, and diagnosis are reserved for dentists.

Question 45Scope of practice and supervision levels for dental hygienists

What credential must a dental hygienist hold in Maryland to administer local anesthesia?

  1. Only the standard hygiene license
  2. A separate local anesthesia permit obtained after additional training Correct answer.
  3. A dental assistant certificate
  4. A physician assistant license

Explanation

Maryland requires hygienists to obtain a separate local anesthesia permit after completing approved coursework and demonstrating competency. The standard hygiene license alone is insufficient.

Question 46Scope of practice and supervision levels for dental hygienists

A dental hygienist notices a suspicious lesion during a prophylaxis and wishes to refer the patient directly to an oral surgeon. What is the most appropriate action under Maryland law?

  1. Refer the patient without informing the dentist
  2. Prescribe antibiotics and monitor
  3. Inform the supervising dentist and document the finding for the dentist to evaluate Correct answer.
  4. Perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis

Explanation

Diagnosis and referral decisions ultimately rest with the dentist. The hygienist should document findings and notify the dentist so a proper diagnosis and referral can be made.

Question 47Scope of practice and supervision levels for dental hygienists

Which supervision level requires the dentist to be physically present in the office but not necessarily in the operatory during the procedure?

  1. Independent practice
  2. Direct supervision Correct answer.
  3. Remote supervision
  4. General supervision

Explanation

Direct supervision requires the dentist to be physically present in the office and available, though not necessarily in the same room. General supervision does not require physical presence.

Question 48Scope of practice and supervision levels for dental hygienists

A hygienist is asked to polish a patient's teeth before the dentist has examined the patient. Under Maryland rules, what is the primary concern?

  1. Polishing requires direct supervision only
  2. The dentist must have examined the patient within the required timeframe before hygiene services Correct answer.
  3. No concern exists because polishing is always independent
  4. Polishing is never permitted by hygienists

Explanation

Maryland requires that a dentist examine the patient within a specified period before hygiene services are provided under general supervision. Polishing before an examination may violate this requirement.

Question 49Scope of practice and supervision levels for dental hygienists

Which of the following procedures is explicitly outside the scope of practice for a Maryland dental hygienist?

  1. Taking bitewing radiographs
  2. Applying fluoride varnish
  3. Preparing a tooth for a crown Correct answer.
  4. Placing sealants

Explanation

Tooth preparation for a crown is a restorative procedure reserved for dentists. Fluoride, sealants, and radiographs are within hygiene scope under appropriate supervision.

Question 50Scope of practice and supervision levels for dental hygienists

Under Maryland law, what is required for a dental hygienist to place pit and fissure sealants?

  1. Direct supervision with the dentist at chairside
  2. No supervision at all
  3. General supervision after dentist examination Correct answer.
  4. A separate sealant permit beyond the hygiene license

Explanation

Sealant placement is permitted under general supervision in Maryland, provided the dentist has examined the patient. No separate permit is required beyond the hygiene license.