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MD Dental Jurisprudence study materials
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MD Dental Jurisprudence practice questions

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Question 1Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

Under the Maryland Dental Practice Act, which individual is authorized to perform a complete dental examination and establish a diagnosis of record for a new patient?

  1. A dental assistant with expanded functions
  2. A dental radiation technologist
  3. A dental hygienist under general supervision
  4. A licensed dentist Correct answer.

Explanation

Diagnosis and treatment planning are reserved to the licensed dentist under the Maryland Dental Practice Act, and a hygienist or assistant may contribute findings but cannot establish the diagnosis of record. The dentist retains responsibility for the examination that defines the patient's treatment.

Question 2Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

A Maryland dental hygienist wishes to administer local anesthesia. Which requirement must be satisfied before the hygienist may do so?

  1. Completion of a Board-approved course and a valid local anesthesia administration permit Correct answer.
  2. A written prescription from the supervising dentist for each patient
  3. Approval by the patient's primary care physician
  4. Only a current dental hygiene license, with no additional credential

Explanation

Maryland requires hygienists to hold a separate local anesthesia permit, obtained after completing Board-approved education and examination requirements. The permit, not a per-patient prescription, is what authorizes administration.

Question 3Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

Which function may a Maryland licensed dental hygienist perform without the prior examination of a dentist, provided it is authorized in the practice setting?

  1. Placement of a permanent restoration
  2. Administration of nitrous oxide sedation
  3. Extraction of a mobile primary tooth
  4. Oral prophylaxis and fluoride application Correct answer.

Explanation

Preventive services such as prophylaxis and topical fluoride fall within the hygienist's own scope and do not require a prior dentist examination in every setting. Surgical, restorative, and sedation services are outside hygiene scope or require additional authorization.

Question 4Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

In Maryland, a dental assistant who has not obtained any expanded-function credentials may perform which of the following?

  1. Suctioning the oral cavity and handing instruments during a procedure Correct answer.
  2. Adjusting a denture occlusion
  3. Taking a final impression for a crown
  4. Applying a cavity varnish after a restoration

Explanation

Basic chairside assisting tasks such as retraction, suction, and instrument transfer are within the general dental assistant's role. The other listed tasks are expanded functions that require specific Board-approved training and authorization.

Question 5Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

A Maryland dentist delegates a coronal polishing to a dental assistant. Which condition must be met for this delegation to be lawful?

  1. The patient must sign a separate consent for each polishing
  2. The polishing must be performed only on adults
  3. The dentist must be physically present in the operatory at all times
  4. The assistant holds the appropriate Board-recognized credential for that expanded function Correct answer.

Explanation

Maryland permits delegation of certain expanded functions only to assistants who have completed the required training and hold the corresponding credential. Physical presence in the operatory is not the operative test, and no special per-service consent exists for polishing.

Question 6Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

Which of the following is a recognized pathway to dental licensure in Maryland?

  1. Completion of an apprenticeship with a licensed dentist and a portfolio review
  2. A medical degree with a one-year dental preceptorship
  3. A dental degree from any country with no further assessment
  4. Graduation from an accredited dental program plus successful completion of the required examinations and jurisprudence requirements Correct answer.

Explanation

Maryland licensure requires graduation from an accredited dental education program, passing the accepted clinical and written examinations, and satisfying the jurisprudence requirement. Apprenticeship and unsupervised foreign credentials do not substitute for these requirements.

Question 7Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

A dentist licensed in another state moves to Maryland and wishes to practice. Which statement best describes the typical requirement regarding the Maryland jurisprudence examination?

  1. Jurisprudence is administered by the local dental society rather than the Board
  2. Jurisprudence is waived for any dentist with five years of experience
  3. The applicant must pass the Maryland jurisprudence examination as part of the licensure process Correct answer.
  4. Jurisprudence is required only for dentists who employ hygienists

Explanation

The Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners requires applicants to demonstrate knowledge of Maryland law, including through a jurisprudence examination. Experience elsewhere does not waive this requirement, and the Board, not a professional society, administers it.

Question 8Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

How often must a Maryland dental license be renewed, and what is generally required at renewal?

  1. Every two years, with completion of the required continuing education Correct answer.
  2. Every three years, with no continuing education
  3. Every five years, with a reinstatement fee only
  4. Every year, with a new clinical examination

Explanation

Maryland dental licenses are renewed on a biennial cycle, and renewal requires evidence of continuing education consistent with Board regulations. A new clinical examination or a simple fee payment alone is not the renewal standard.

Question 9Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

A Maryland dentist's license has lapsed for failure to renew. What is the dentist's status if he continues seeing patients?

  1. He may practice while paying a late fee retroactively
  2. He is practicing without a license and subject to Board discipline Correct answer.
  3. He may practice if a colleague co-signs the records
  4. He may practice for up to one year after expiration

Explanation

Practicing after a license lapses constitutes unlicensed practice, which exposes the dentist to disciplinary action by the Board. There is no grace period or co-signature workaround that authorizes continued practice.

Question 10Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

Which entity has statutory authority to investigate complaints and impose discipline on Maryland dental licensees?

  1. The local health department
  2. The Commission on Dental Accreditation
  3. The State Board of Dental Examiners Correct answer.
  4. The Maryland Dental Hygienists' Association

Explanation

The State Board of Dental Examiners is the regulatory body empowered to investigate complaints and discipline licensees. Professional associations, local health departments, and accreditors do not hold that statutory disciplinary authority.

Question 11Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

A patient files a complaint alleging that a Maryland dentist practiced while impaired. Which is the most accurate description of the Board's authority in this situation?

  1. The Board may only refer the matter to the dentist's malpractice carrier
  2. The Board must wait for a criminal conviction before acting
  3. The Board may investigate and, if warranted, impose sanctions or require participation in a rehabilitation program Correct answer.
  4. The Board may act only if the patient agrees to arbitration

Explanation

The Board has independent authority to investigate impairment allegations and may impose discipline or route the licensee into an approved rehabilitation program. A criminal conviction or carrier referral is not a precondition to Board action.

Question 12Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

Under Maryland law, which of these constitutes unprofessional conduct subject to discipline?

  1. Referring a patient to a specialist
  2. Delegating a procedure to an unlicensed person who is not authorized to perform it Correct answer.
  3. Charging a fee that is higher than a colleague's
  4. Documenting treatment in the patient record

Explanation

Delegating to an unauthorized person endangers patients and is a recognized ground for discipline. Proper documentation, appropriate referrals, and differing fees are not themselves unprofessional conduct.

Question 13Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

A Maryland dentist plans to advertise a discounted whitening promotion. Which approach is most consistent with the Board's advertising rules?

  1. Advertise truthfully without misleading or deceptive claims about the services Correct answer.
  2. Use patient testimonials guaranteeing a specific outcome
  3. Omit the dentist's name to avoid identification
  4. Advertise as a specialist in cosmetic dentistry without specialty credentials

Explanation

Maryland advertising rules require communications that are truthful and not misleading, and prohibit claims implying specialty status without credentials or guarantees of outcomes. Identification requirements also apply to dental advertising.

Question 14Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

Which statement correctly describes the handling of a dentist's patient records when the dentist sells the practice in Maryland?

  1. Records become the property of the landlord of the office space
  2. Records may be transferred to the successor dentist as part of the practice, consistent with patient notice requirements Correct answer.
  3. Records must be destroyed at closing to protect confidentiality
  4. Records may be sold to a marketing firm with no notice

Explanation

Patient records may follow the practice to a successor dentist, subject to requirements for patient notification and continued confidentiality. Destroying records or transferring them to unrelated parties without authorization is improper.

Question 15Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

A Maryland patient requests a copy of her dental record. What is the dentist's most appropriate response?

  1. Provide the record only if the patient sues the dentist
  2. Refuse because the original record belongs exclusively to the dentist
  3. Provide a copy in accordance with Maryland medical records law, which may permit a reasonable fee Correct answer.
  4. Provide the record only after the balance is paid in full, regardless of law

Explanation

Maryland law gives patients access to their records, and a reasonable copying fee may be charged as permitted by statute. Refusing access or conditioning it on litigation or payment in every case is inconsistent with that right.

Question 16Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

What is the mandatory reporting obligation of a Maryland dentist who has reason to believe another licensee is practicing while impaired?

  1. Confront the licensee privately and take no further action
  2. Report the concern to the Board as required by law Correct answer.
  3. Wait for the annual license renewal to disclose it
  4. Report only if a patient is injured

Explanation

Maryland imposes a duty on licensees to report certain conduct, including impairment that may endanger patients, to the Board. Private confrontation alone or waiting for injury does not satisfy the reporting obligation.

Question 17Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

Which of the following best describes the scope of practice of a Maryland licensed dentist?

  1. Only the fabrication of prosthetic appliances
  2. Only the surgical removal of teeth
  3. Only the supervision of hygienists
  4. The diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions of the oral cavity and adjacent structures Correct answer.

Explanation

The dental practice act defines dentistry broadly to include diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of oral and adjacent conditions. Limiting the definition to surgery, prosthetics, or supervision misstates the statutory scope.

Question 18Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

A Maryland dentist wants to use a newly introduced technology for which no specific regulation exists. Which principle best guides whether the dentist may use it?

  1. The dentist may use it only if a hygienist performs it instead
  2. The dentist may use it if it falls within the general practice of dentistry and the dentist is competent to perform it safely Correct answer.
  3. The dentist may use it only after the manufacturer certifies the dentist
  4. The dentist may never use technology not expressly named in the statute

Explanation

Dental practice acts generally define dentistry broadly, allowing licensed dentists to use new techniques within their competence, subject to the standard of care. A statute does not need to name each technology, and manufacturer certification is not a licensure requirement.

Question 19Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

Which supervisory category typically describes a dentist authorizing hygiene services without being physically present in the office?

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

Explanation

General supervision means the dentist has authorized the service but need not be physically present when it is performed. Direct and personal supervision require the dentist's presence, and independent practice is not a supervision category.

Question 20Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

A Maryland dentist is on vacation and a hygienist is scheduled to see recall patients. Which arrangement is most consistent with general supervision requirements?

  1. The dentist must be in the building during every appointment
  2. The dentist has previously examined the patients and authorized the hygiene services Correct answer.
  3. The hygienist must obtain a new dentist's order each day
  4. The hygienist must limit care to emergency patients only

Explanation

General supervision permits hygiene services when the dentist has authorized them and, where required, previously examined the patient, without requiring the dentist's physical presence. Daily reauthorization or building presence is not required under general supervision.

Question 21Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

Which of the following is required for a Maryland dentist to administer moderate sedation?

  1. A hospital privileges letter from a local hospital
  2. Only a current dental license, with no additional credential
  3. A separate sedation permit obtained through the Board's credentialing process Correct answer.
  4. Written approval from each patient's insurer

Explanation

Maryland regulates sedation separately from the basic dental license, requiring a permit that reflects training and facility standards. A dental license alone, hospital privileges, or insurer approval does not confer sedation authority.

Question 22Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

A Maryland dentist delegates radiograph exposure to a dental assistant. What is the minimum expectation for this delegation?

  1. The assistant has completed required radiation safety training and is properly supervised Correct answer.
  2. The assistant must hold a dental degree
  3. Any assistant may expose radiographs without training
  4. The assistant must be a licensed hygienist

Explanation

Maryland requires that individuals who expose dental radiographs complete radiation safety training and work under appropriate supervision. Untrained exposure, or requiring a hygiene license or dental degree, misstates the requirement.

Question 23Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

Which of the following best describes the dentist's responsibility when a hygienist practices under his supervision?

  1. Responsibility belongs to the front office staff who scheduled the visit
  2. Responsibility shifts entirely to the hygienist's own license
  3. The dentist remains responsible for the overall care and for ensuring delegation complies with the law Correct answer.
  4. The dentist bears no responsibility once the patient is seated with the hygienist

Explanation

A supervising dentist retains responsibility for the patient's overall care and for lawful delegation, even when the hygienist performs the service. The hygienist's license does not shift that supervisory responsibility away from the dentist.

Question 24Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

A Maryland dentist wishes to hold herself out as a specialist in orthodontics. What must be true for this to be permissible?

  1. She has treated at least fifty orthodontic patients
  2. She has completed an accredited specialty program and meets the Board's specialty recognition requirements Correct answer.
  3. She has an orthodontist as a consultant
  4. She has taken a weekend continuing education course in orthodontics

Explanation

Maryland limits specialty advertising to dentists who have met recognized specialty education and Board requirements. Continuing education, case volume, or a consultant relationship does not create specialty status.

Question 25Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

Which of the following actions by a Maryland dental office best reflects compliance with infection control expectations under the practice act and Board regulations?

  1. Skipping hand hygiene when gloves are worn
  2. Reusing disposable needles after alcohol wiping
  3. Following current CDC and Board-adopted infection control standards, including sterilization records Correct answer.
  4. Sterilizing instruments only when visibly soiled

Explanation

Maryland licensees are expected to comply with recognized infection control standards and maintain documentation such as sterilization monitoring. Reuse of disposables or cleaning only visibly soiled instruments violates those standards.

Question 26Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

Under the Maryland Dental Practice Act, which individual may lawfully perform a coronal polish as a delegated function in a dental office?

  1. Any employee of the dentist who has been shown the technique once
  2. A certified nursing assistant borrowed from a neighboring medical office
  3. A dental assistant who has completed board-approved training and holds the appropriate credential Correct answer.
  4. A front-desk receptionist when the dentist is on the premises

Explanation

Delegable functions in Maryland are limited to specific categories of auxiliaries who have met the Board's training or credentialing requirements. A coronal polish is a recognized delegated function for a properly trained dental assistant, but not for untrained staff. The supervising dentist retains responsibility for confirming that the delegate is authorized before assigning the task.

Question 27Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

A Maryland licensed dentist is asked to supervise a dental hygienist who will provide services in a public health program. Which statement best describes the dentist's continuing obligation in that arrangement?

  1. The dentist has no responsibility once the hygienist leaves the office
  2. The dentist may transfer supervisory duties to the office manager
  3. The dentist must ensure the hygienist practices within the authorized setting and remains available as the law requires Correct answer.
  4. The dentist must personally observe every patient encounter in real time

Explanation

Supervision is a continuing professional duty that attaches to the licensed dentist, who must confirm the practice setting and availability requirements are met. It cannot be assigned to non-dentist personnel or abandoned after the hygienist departs. The Board holds the supervising dentist accountable for the delegated care.

Question 28Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

Which action by a Maryland dentist most clearly exceeds the scope of practice authorized by a dental license?

  1. Diagnosing and treating an unrelated systemic cardiac condition Correct answer.
  2. Placing and adjusting a fixed partial denture
  3. Performing a surgical extraction of an impacted third molar
  4. Prescribing an antibiotic for a dental infection

Explanation

A dental license authorizes the diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the oral cavity and associated structures, including prescribing within that context. Managing an unrelated systemic cardiac condition is the practice of medicine and falls outside dental scope. Oral surgery and prosthodontic procedures remain within the dental scope when the dentist is competent.

Question 29Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

A Maryland dental hygienist wishes to administer local anesthesia. Which condition must be satisfied before this may occur?

  1. The hygienist may administer anesthesia only if no dentist is in the building
  2. The hygienist may proceed once the dentist verbally approves on the day of treatment
  3. The hygienist must complete board-required education and hold the applicable authorization, with dentist supervision as specified Correct answer.
  4. The hygienist may administer anesthesia whenever the patient signs a consent form

Explanation

Local anesthesia administration by a hygienist is a separately authorized function requiring specific education and credentialing beyond the hygiene license. The dentist's role is defined by the Board's supervision rules, not by ad hoc verbal approval. Patient consent alone does not create authority to perform a restricted function.

Question 30Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

A Maryland dentist delegates a task to an unlicensed assistant and the patient is injured. How does the Board generally view the dentist's responsibility?

  1. The dentist remains responsible for the delegation decision and the resulting care Correct answer.
  2. Responsibility shifts entirely to the assistant because she performed the act
  3. Responsibility falls to the manufacturer of any device used
  4. Responsibility is shared equally with the patient who accepted the treatment

Explanation

The licensed dentist who delegates is accountable for determining whether the function may be delegated and whether the delegate is qualified. Injury to the patient does not transfer that accountability to the unlicensed person. This principle is central to the Board's disciplinary framework for improper delegation.

Question 31Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

A Maryland dentist wants to expand services to include orthodontic treatment for children. Which statement best reflects the Board's expectation?

  1. The dentist must obtain a separate specialty license before providing any orthodontic treatment
  2. The dentist may treat children orthodontically only with written consent from a pediatrician
  3. The dentist may advertise as an orthodontic specialist after completing a weekend continuing education course
  4. The dentist must be competent through training or experience and must not hold out as a specialist without the required status Correct answer.

Explanation

A general dental license permits a broad range of treatment, but the dentist must be competent in the procedures undertaken. Specialty designation and advertising are separately regulated, so a short course does not confer specialist status. No separate specialty license or physician consent is required to treat patients within general dentistry.

Question 32Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

Which best describes the legal status of a dental assistant who performs an intraoral function that the Board has not authorized for assistants?

  1. The assistant is practicing legally because no patient complaint was filed
  2. The assistant is practicing outside the authorized scope and both the assistant and delegating dentist may face discipline Correct answer.
  3. The assistant is practicing legally under the dentist's license
  4. The assistant is practicing legally because the dentist was present in the office

Explanation

Auxiliary scope is defined by the Board, and functions not authorized for assistants cannot be performed even under a dentist's presence. Performing an unauthorized intraoral function constitutes practice outside the permitted scope. Both the delegate and the delegating dentist can be subject to Board action.

Question 33Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

A Maryland dentist plans to have dental assistants take bitewing radiographs. What is the most accurate statement about this delegation?

  1. Assistants may expose radiographs only when the dentist is out of the office
  2. Assistants may expose radiographs only after becoming licensed dental hygienists
  3. Assistants may expose radiographs if they meet the Board's training requirements and work under the required supervision Correct answer.
  4. Assistants may never expose radiographs under any circumstances

Explanation

Radiograph exposure is a delegable function for dental assistants who complete the Board's required training and work under the specified level of supervision. The dentist must verify the training before assigning the task. The function does not require a hygiene license.

Question 34Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

A Maryland dentist employs a hygienist who is also licensed in Delaware. Which statement best describes what the dentist should verify before allowing the hygienist to treat Maryland patients?

  1. That the hygienist's Delaware license is unexpired
  2. That the hygienist has malpractice coverage issued in Delaware
  3. That the hygienist holds a current Maryland license or another status the Board recognizes for practice in this state Correct answer.
  4. That the hygienist has practiced for at least five years

Explanation

Practice on patients located in Maryland requires Maryland authorization, which may come through licensure or a Board-recognized status. A license from another state does not by itself permit practice in Maryland. The employing dentist should confirm the hygienist's Maryland status before scheduling patient care.

Question 35Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

Which statement best describes the authority of a Maryland licensed dentist to prescribe medications in the course of dental treatment?

  1. The dentist may prescribe controlled substances only with a physician's co-signature
  2. The dentist may prescribe only over-the-counter products
  3. The dentist may prescribe medications that are rationally related to the dental diagnosis and treatment being provided Correct answer.
  4. The dentist may prescribe any medication a physician could prescribe

Explanation

Prescribing authority flows from the dental license but is bounded by the dental diagnosis and treatment. A dentist may prescribe analgesics, antibiotics, and other agents appropriately connected to oral care, subject to controlled-substance rules. The authority does not extend to unrelated medical conditions.

Question 36Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

A Maryland dentist is asked by a patient to perform a procedure the dentist has never been trained to do. Which response is most consistent with the practice act?

  1. Proceed, provided the patient signs a waiver of liability
  2. Proceed, because the license authorizes all dental procedures
  3. Decline or refer the patient, because licensure does not by itself establish competence for every procedure Correct answer.
  4. Proceed, provided an assistant has watched a video on the technique

Explanation

A license defines the outer boundary of lawful practice, but competence is a separate professional obligation. A dentist who lacks training for a procedure should refer or decline rather than rely on the license alone. Patient waivers do not cure a lack of competence.

Question 37Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

Which statement best describes how the Maryland Board treats a dentist's failure to comply with continuing education requirements at renewal?

  1. The deficiency converts the license to an inactive status permanently
  2. The deficiency is excused if the dentist was busy with patient care
  3. The license may not be renewed until the required education is completed or otherwise resolved with the Board Correct answer.
  4. The deficiency is automatically waived if the dentist has practiced for more than ten years

Explanation

Continuing education is a condition of renewal, and a shortfall generally must be cured before the license can be renewed. The Board may allow the dentist to make up the deficiency or address it through an established process. Long practice tenure or workload does not excuse the requirement.

Question 38Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

A Maryland dentist discovers that an employee has been performing a delegated function for which the employee's credential lapsed months earlier. What is the dentist's most appropriate course of action?

  1. Continue the delegation until the next renewal cycle to avoid disrupting patients
  2. Stop the delegation immediately, review the affected care, and take steps consistent with the Board's reporting and remediation expectations Correct answer.
  3. Continue the delegation but document the lapse in the employee's file
  4. Ask the employee to renew quietly and take no further action

Explanation

Delegation is lawful only while the delegate holds the required credential, so the dentist must halt the practice at once. The dentist should then assess the care already provided and address the matter in a manner consistent with Board expectations. Passive documentation or delayed correction leaves the office in ongoing noncompliance.

Question 39Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

A Maryland dentist wants to introduce a laser procedure that the Board has not specifically addressed. Which approach best reflects the governing principle?

  1. Wait for the Board to issue a device-specific regulation before treating any patient
  2. Delegate the procedure to an assistant to avoid personal training requirements
  3. Confirm the procedure falls within dental scope, obtain appropriate training, and follow general supervision and safety standards Correct answer.
  4. Proceed without training because the absence of a specific rule means no standard applies

Explanation

When a technology is not specifically regulated, the general standards of scope, competence, and supervision continue to govern. The dentist must ensure training and safety compliance before using the device on patients. The absence of a device-specific rule does not create a regulatory vacuum.

Question 40Maryland Dental Practice Act and Scope of Practice

A Maryland dentist is retiring and plans to leave patient records with the purchasing dentist. Which statement best captures the dentist's obligation regarding record transfer and patient notice?

  1. Records must be destroyed at closing to protect confidentiality
  2. Records may be transferred consistent with the practice sale while patients are informed and retain access to their records Correct answer.
  3. Records may be sold to a marketing company as a business asset
  4. Records may be withheld from patients who have outstanding balances

Explanation

Patient records may follow a practice sale, but patients must be notified and must retain the ability to obtain copies of their records. Confidentiality obligations continue after the sale. Records cannot be treated as an unrestricted commercial asset or withheld as a collection lever.

Question 41Licensure, Registration, and Renewal Requirements

In Maryland, a dentist's license is issued by which body?

  1. The Maryland Dental Society
  2. The Maryland Department of Health
  3. The University of Maryland School of Dentistry
  4. The Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners Correct answer.

Explanation

Licensure in Maryland is administered by the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners, the state regulatory agency created by statute to examine and license dentists and dental hygienists. The Department of Health, professional associations, and dental schools have no licensing authority.

Question 42Licensure, Registration, and Renewal Requirements

Which requirement must a Maryland dental license renewal applicant generally satisfy for the renewal period?

  1. A residency year at a Maryland dental school
  2. Sponsorship by two licensed dentists
  3. A repeat clinical board examination
  4. Completion of approved continuing education hours Correct answer.

Explanation

Maryland renews dental licenses on a biennial cycle conditioned primarily on completing the required continuing education in approved subject areas. Re-examination, sponsor letters, and residency are initial or conditional requirements, not routine renewal conditions.

Question 43Licensure, Registration, and Renewal Requirements

A dentist licensed in Maryland moves her practice address within the state. What is the appropriate action regarding her license record?

  1. Notify the Board of the address change within the required timeframe Correct answer.
  2. Take no action because the license is tied to the person, not the address
  3. Wait until the next renewal to disclose the change
  4. Apply for a new license at the new location

Explanation

Licensees must keep the Board informed of changes to the address of record so that official correspondence and renewal notices reach them. The license follows the individual, but the Board requires timely notification of address changes rather than a new application.

Question 44Licensure, Registration, and Renewal Requirements

Which of the following best describes the status of a Maryland dental license that has lapsed for nonrenewal?

  1. The dentist may practice while a renewal is pending
  2. The dentist may not practice until the license is reinstated Correct answer.
  3. The dentist may practice only on established patients
  4. The dentist may practice if supervised by a licensed dentist

Explanation

Practicing on a lapsed license constitutes unlicensed practice, regardless of patient relationships or supervision. The dentist must complete the reinstatement process, including any late fees or additional requirements, before resuming practice.

Question 45Licensure, Registration, and Renewal Requirements

Maryland dental licenses are renewed on which schedule?

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

Explanation

The Board operates a biennial renewal cycle for dental licenses, with continuing education requirements tied to each renewal period. Annual, triennial, and five-year cycles do not reflect the Board's renewal schedule.

Question 46Licensure, Registration, and Renewal Requirements

A licensed dentist wishes to administer moderate sedation in Maryland. What must occur before providing that level of sedation?

  1. Completing a weekend course and notifying staff
  2. Registering with the local hospital
  3. Obtaining the appropriate sedation permit from the Board Correct answer.
  4. Obtaining a separate anesthesia license from the state medical board

Explanation

Maryland requires dentists to hold a specific permit for sedation or general anesthesia, granted after meeting training and facility standards set by the Board. Notification, hospital registration, or a medical board license does not substitute for the dental sedation permit.

Question 47Licensure, Registration, and Renewal Requirements

Which entity maintains the official roster of licensed dentists that the public may search in Maryland?

  1. The Maryland Higher Education Commission
  2. The Maryland Office of the Attorney General
  3. The Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners Correct answer.
  4. The Maryland Insurance Administration

Explanation

The Board maintains the licensure roster and provides public verification of license status. The other agencies regulate insurance, legal matters, and higher education, and none maintains the dental licensure database.

Question 48Licensure, Registration, and Renewal Requirements

A dentist trained in another country seeks a Maryland license. Which pathway is generally available?

  1. Automatic licensure based on foreign diploma
  2. Practice under a temporary permit indefinitely
  3. Licensure by endorsement from any foreign jurisdiction
  4. Graduation from a CODA-accredited program or an approved equivalency pathway Correct answer.

Explanation

Internationally trained dentists generally must complete a CODA-accredited dental program or an approved advanced standing/equivalency pathway before licensure. Foreign diplomas do not confer automatic licensure, and temporary permits are time-limited.

Question 49Licensure, Registration, and Renewal Requirements

During a Board investigation of a patient complaint, a Maryland licensee receives a written request for treatment records. What is the licensee's obligation?

  1. Provide records only with the patient's written consent
  2. Refuse until a subpoena is issued by a court
  3. Delegate the response to office staff without review
  4. Cooperate and produce the requested records within the specified time Correct answer.

Explanation

Licensees are expected to cooperate with Board investigations, including timely production of records requested under the Board's statutory authority. A court subpoena is not a precondition to responding to a Board request, and delegation does not excuse the licensee's duty.

Question 50Licensure, Registration, and Renewal Requirements

A Maryland dentist's license is suspended by the Board. Which statement is accurate?

  1. The dentist must cease practice during the suspension period Correct answer.
  2. The dentist may practice under another dentist's license number
  3. The dentist may continue seeing patients while an appeal is pending
  4. The dentist may practice only in a hospital setting

Explanation

A suspension removes the privilege to practice until the Board restores it; an appeal does not automatically stay the suspension unless a court orders otherwise. Practicing during suspension, or under another's license, is unlicensed practice.