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NC Dental Hygiene Jurisprudence study materials
NC Dental Hygiene Jurisprudence study resources

NC Dental Hygiene Jurisprudence practice questions

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Question 1North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

Under the North Carolina Dental Practice Act, which individual is authorized to perform a dental prophylaxis and apply topical fluoride as part of a dental hygiene treatment plan?

  1. A licensed dental hygienist working under the supervision the Board rules require Correct answer.
  2. An uncertified office manager who completed a weekend course
  3. A dental assistant with on-the-job training in polishing
  4. A sterilization technician employed by the practice

Explanation

Dental hygiene procedures such as prophylaxis and topical fluoride application are reserved to licensed dental hygienists, who must practice under the level of supervision the Board rules specify. Unlicensed personnel cannot perform these services regardless of on-the-job training.

Question 2North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

In North Carolina, a person who has never been licensed as a dental hygienist but performs scaling and root planing for pay is subject to which consequence under the Dental Practice Act?

  1. Only a written warning from the employing dentist
  2. Automatic licensure by grandfathering after one year of practice
  3. Criminal penalties because practicing without a license is unlawful Correct answer.
  4. No consequence if the dentist signs the treatment notes

Explanation

Practicing dental hygiene without a license is a violation of the Dental Practice Act and carries criminal penalties. A supervising dentist's signature does not legitimize services rendered by an unlicensed person.

Question 3North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

Which statement correctly describes the composition of the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners?

  1. It consists only of dentists elected by the state dental society
  2. It includes both dentist members and dental hygienist members appointed as the statutes provide Correct answer.
  3. It is composed entirely of consumer members appointed by the Governor
  4. It is a federal advisory panel staffed by the Department of Health and Human Services

Explanation

The Board is a state regulatory body whose membership includes dentist members and dental hygienist members, along with a public member, as set out in the Dental Practice Act. It is not a private society board and not a federal entity.

Question 4North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A dental hygienist wishes to administer local anesthesia in North Carolina. Which requirement must be satisfied first?

  1. Approval from the county health department
  2. Twelve months of general practice experience only
  3. Completion of Board-approved training and certification in local anesthesia as the rules require Correct answer.
  4. A signed waiver from the patient's physician

Explanation

Administering local anesthesia is an expanded function for hygienists that requires specific Board-approved education and certification before the hygienist may perform it. Patient waivers or county approval do not substitute for that credential.

Question 5North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A dental hygienist moves from another state and holds a current license there. To obtain a North Carolina dental hygiene license, the hygienist should expect which approach under the Act?

  1. Reciprocity that grants a license with no further examination or credential review
  2. Automatic licensure after paying a fee only
  3. Licensure by credentials or examination as the Board rules provide for out-of-state licensees Correct answer.
  4. Practice for two years under a temporary permit with no application

Explanation

North Carolina provides pathways for out-of-state licensees through credential review or examination under Board rules rather than unconditional reciprocity. A fee payment alone does not confer licensure.

Question 6North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

Which of the following is a recognized route to initial dental hygiene licensure in North Carolina?

  1. Passing a clinical and written examination accepted by the Board after graduating from an accredited program Correct answer.
  2. Apprenticeship of 2,000 hours under a dentist without formal education
  3. Graduation from an unaccredited correspondence program
  4. Sponsorship by a licensed dentist with no examination

Explanation

Initial licensure requires graduation from an accredited dental hygiene program and successful completion of the examinations the Board accepts. Apprenticeship and sponsorship do not replace accredited education and examination.

Question 7North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A licensed dental hygienist allows her license to lapse by failing to renew. Which statement best reflects her status under the Dental Practice Act?

  1. She may practice only in public health settings
  2. She is practicing unlawfully if she continues to provide hygiene services Correct answer.
  3. She may continue practicing because her education never expires
  4. She may practice if the dentist cosigns her records

Explanation

A license must be current to practice; continuing to provide dental hygiene services after a license lapses constitutes unlicensed practice. Neither the employer nor the setting changes that result.

Question 8North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

Under the Board's infection control rules, which practice is required in a North Carolina dental office?

  1. Wearing gloves and other appropriate barriers during patient treatment Correct answer.
  2. Sterilizing handpieces only at the end of each week
  3. Reusing disposable needles after wiping them with alcohol
  4. Sharing a single container of topical anesthetic among all patients

Explanation

The Board's infection control rules require appropriate barriers such as gloves during treatment and proper sterilization of items like handpieces between patients. Reusing disposables and sharing single-use containers violates standard precautions.

Question 9North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A patient reports that a hygienist discussed the patient's HIV status with neighbors. Under North Carolina law, which statement is most accurate?

  1. Patient information may be shared freely with anyone who asks
  2. Confidential patient information may not be disclosed without proper authorization Correct answer.
  3. Disclosure is permitted because neighbors are not patients
  4. Only the dentist, not the hygienist, owes a duty of confidentiality

Explanation

Licensed dental professionals owe a duty of confidentiality and may not disclose identifiable patient information without proper authorization or a legal exception. The duty applies to hygienists as well as dentists.

Question 10North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

Which activity by a dental hygienist would most likely constitute grounds for Board discipline?

  1. Documenting treatment accurately in the record
  2. Practicing while impaired by alcohol or drugs Correct answer.
  3. Completing required continuing education hours
  4. Referring a patient with an suspicious lesion for evaluation

Explanation

The Board may discipline a licensee for practicing while impaired, which endangers patients and violates the Act. Accurate documentation, appropriate referral, and completing continuing education are expected professional conduct.

Question 11North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A dental hygienist wants to provide services in a school-based sealant program without a dentist on site. What must be true for this practice to be lawful in North Carolina?

  1. The hygienist must be authorized under the supervision or public health provisions the rules establish Correct answer.
  2. The school must employ the hygienist directly with no dental oversight
  3. No authorization is needed because sealants are preventive
  4. The hygienist must be a dentist's employee at all times

Explanation

Practice in settings such as schools requires the hygienist to meet the supervision or public health authorization requirements set by the Board and statutes. Preventive services are not exempt from licensure and supervision rules.

Question 12North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

Which statement correctly describes the continuing education obligation for a North Carolina dental hygienist?

  1. Continuing education is required only after a disciplinary action
  2. Continuing education must be completed each renewal cycle as the Board rules specify Correct answer.
  3. Only courses taught by dentists count toward the requirement
  4. No continuing education is required after initial licensure

Explanation

Renewal of a dental hygiene license requires completing the continuing education the Board rules specify for each cycle. It is an ongoing obligation, not a one-time or discipline-only requirement.

Question 13North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A dentist tells a hygienist to perform a procedure that is outside the hygienist's authorized scope. What is the hygienist's most appropriate response under the Dental Practice Act?

  1. Perform it only if the patient signs a consent form
  2. Perform it because the dentist accepts liability
  3. Decline because a hygienist may not exceed the authorized scope even at a dentist's direction Correct answer.
  4. Perform it and document the dentist's instruction

Explanation

Scope of practice is set by law, and a hygienist cannot expand it on a dentist's instruction. Following such a directive could expose the hygienist to discipline regardless of consent or documentation.

Question 14North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

Which of the following best describes the role of the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners?

  1. It regulates the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene, including licensure and discipline Correct answer.
  2. It sets insurance reimbursement rates for dental offices
  3. It operates the state's Medicaid dental program
  4. It accredits dental hygiene educational programs nationwide

Explanation

The Board is the state regulatory agency that licenses and disciplines dentists and dental hygienists and enforces the Dental Practice Act. It does not set insurance rates, run Medicaid, or perform national program accreditation.

Question 15North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A dental hygienist is accused of fraud in obtaining her license. Which outcome is within the Board's authority?

  1. Requiring the hygienist to repay tuition to her school
  2. Referring the matter to the American Dental Association for a binding decision
  3. Transferring the case to a neighboring state board automatically
  4. Revoking, suspending, or otherwise disciplining the license after proper proceedings Correct answer.

Explanation

Obtaining a license by fraud is a disciplinary ground, and the Board may impose sanctions such as suspension or revocation after following its procedures. Professional associations and other states do not decide the Board's disciplinary case.

Question 16North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

Which document typically defines the specific tasks a dental hygienist may perform under general supervision in North Carolina?

  1. The Board's rules and the Dental Practice Act Correct answer.
  2. A national hygiene association's code of ethics
  3. The office's employee handbook alone
  4. The patient's insurance policy

Explanation

The permissible tasks and supervision levels come from the Dental Practice Act and Board rules, not from private documents. An employee handbook or insurer policy cannot enlarge or restrict the statutory scope.

Question 17North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A hygienist notices that a dentist is billing for services never provided. What is the most appropriate action consistent with professional obligations under North Carolina law?

  1. Report the suspected fraud through appropriate channels Correct answer.
  2. Discuss it with patients to gather support
  3. Ignore it because billing is the dentist's responsibility
  4. Join in the billing to keep the practice profitable

Explanation

Fraudulent billing is unlawful, and licensees have a professional obligation to report suspected fraud to the appropriate authorities rather than participate or remain silent. Discussing it with patients is not the proper channel and risks further confidentiality problems.

Question 18North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

Which of the following is required for a dental hygienist to practice under general supervision in North Carolina?

  1. The dentist must be physically present in the operatory at all times
  2. The patient must waive any examination by the dentist
  3. The dentist has examined the patient and authorized the treatment as the rules require Correct answer.
  4. The hygienist must hold a separate business license for each patient

Explanation

General supervision still requires that the dentist has examined the patient and authorized the services, even though the dentist need not be present during treatment. Patient waivers and per-patient business licenses are not part of the requirement.

Question 19North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A dental hygienist who suspects a child patient is being abused should take which action consistent with North Carolina law?

  1. Keep silent to preserve the therapeutic relationship
  2. Wait until the next recall appointment to decide
  3. Report the suspicion to the appropriate child protective authority Correct answer.
  4. Confront the parent in the operatory

Explanation

Dental professionals are mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse or neglect and should report to the designated protective authority. Silence, confrontation, or delay conflicts with that legal duty.

Question 20North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

Which practice is most consistent with the Board's recordkeeping expectations for a dental hygienist?

  1. Recording treatment and observations contemporaneously in the patient record Correct answer.
  2. Altering a prior entry without indicating the change
  3. Discarding radiographs immediately after review
  4. Keeping treatment notes only in a personal notebook

Explanation

Accurate, contemporaneous entries in the patient record support continuity of care and demonstrate compliance. Personal notes, destruction of images, and unmarked alterations undermine the record's integrity.

Question 21North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A dental hygienist's license is suspended for a specified period. Which statement is correct regarding practice during the suspension?

  1. The hygienist may continue seeing patients if the dentist supervises closely
  2. The hygienist may practice only on weekends
  3. The hygienist may not practice dental hygiene until the license is reinstated Correct answer.
  4. The hygienist may practice after posting a bond

Explanation

A suspension removes the authority to practice, and the hygienist may not provide dental hygiene services until the Board reinstates the license. Supervision, scheduling, or a bond cannot restore practice authority.

Question 22North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

Which of the following is an example of a task a North Carolina dental hygienist may perform but a dental assistant may not?

  1. Exposing dental radiographs
  2. Performing a dental prophylaxis and periodontal debridement Correct answer.
  3. Recording vital signs
  4. Greeting patients at the front desk

Explanation

Prophylaxis and periodontal debridement are dental hygiene functions reserved to licensed hygienists. Assisting tasks such as greeting patients, recording vitals, and, when properly trained and authorized, exposing radiographs fall within assistant duties.

Question 23North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

What is the primary purpose of the North Carolina Dental Practice Act?

  1. To set the curriculum for all dental schools
  2. To promote a particular professional association
  3. To guarantee dentists a fixed income
  4. To protect the public health, safety, and welfare by regulating dental practice Correct answer.

Explanation

The Act exists to protect the public by establishing licensure, scope of practice, and disciplinary authority over dentistry and dental hygiene. It is not designed to secure income, set school curricula, or promote an association.

Question 24North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A hygienist employed in a nursing home provides oral care to residents. Which statement best reflects North Carolina requirements?

  1. No license is needed because the setting is residential
  2. The hygienist must be licensed and practice within the authorization the rules allow for that setting Correct answer.
  3. The hygienist may delegate prophylaxis to unlicensed aides
  4. The hygienist may practice without any dental oversight in all cases

Explanation

Licensure applies in every setting, and practice in long-term care must fit the authorization and supervision provisions the rules establish. Unlicensed aides cannot be delegated hygiene procedures.

Question 25North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

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

  1. The dentist has no responsibility for the hygienist's actions
  2. The dentist may authorize the hygienist to exceed the statutory scope
  3. The dentist must ensure the hygienist is licensed and practicing within authorized limits Correct answer.
  4. The dentist is responsible only for billing accuracy

Explanation

A supervising dentist must confirm that the hygienist holds a valid license and stays within the authorized scope, and may face discipline for allowing otherwise. The dentist cannot authorize practice beyond the statutory limits.

Question 26North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

Under the North Carolina Dental Practice Act, which individual is authorized to perform coronal polishing as part of a dental hygiene service?

  1. An unlicensed front-office staff member when the dentist is present
  2. A dental hygiene student who has not yet graduated from an accredited program
  3. A dental assistant who has completed on-the-job training in polishing
  4. A dental hygienist who holds a current license and is practicing under the required level of dentist supervision Correct answer.

Explanation

Coronal polishing is a clinical service within the dental hygiene scope and must be performed by a licensed hygienist meeting the supervision requirements set by the dentist and Board rules. Unlicensed or untrained personnel may not perform it regardless of who is in the building.

Question 27North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A North Carolina dental hygienist is preparing to provide services under general supervision. Which condition must be satisfied for that level of supervision to apply?

  1. The dentist must be physically present in the operatory during treatment
  2. A second hygienist must be present to verify the treatment plan
  3. The dentist has examined the patient and authorized the services, but need not be on site Correct answer.
  4. The patient must sign a waiver releasing the dentist from liability

Explanation

General supervision means the dentist has authorized the services and examined the patient as required, but does not require the dentist's physical presence during treatment. It is not the same as direct supervision, where the dentist is on the premises.

Question 28North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

Which statement accurately describes the composition or selection of the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners?

  1. All members are appointed by the Governor from a list submitted by the dental hygiene association
  2. The board consists solely of dentists because hygiene regulation is delegated to the American Dental Association
  3. Dentist and dental hygienist members are elected by their respective licensed professions in statewide balloting Correct answer.
  4. Members are appointed to serve terms, with both dentist and dental hygienist representation on the board

Explanation

North Carolina's dentist and dental hygienist Board members are elected by their respective licensed professions. The consumer member is appointed by the Governor. Thus, election describes selection of the professional seats, while a statement that all Board members are appointed is inaccurate.

Question 29North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A dental hygienist moves from another state and wants to practice in North Carolina. Which route reflects a recognized path to licensure for an out-of-state hygienist?

  1. Submitting a résumé to the Board and waiting for verbal approval by telephone
  2. Registering with the local dental society and beginning work within 30 days
  3. Practicing immediately while the license application is pending, provided the out-of-state license is active
  4. Obtaining licensure through the Board's established process for license by credentials or examination, as applicable Correct answer.

Explanation

Out-of-state hygienists must obtain a North Carolina license through the Board's recognized pathways, which may include credential-based licensure or examination depending on the applicant's history. A license from another state does not itself authorize practice in North Carolina.

Question 30North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

Which of the following services may a North Carolina dental hygienist perform that a dental assistant is not authorized to perform?

  1. Performing scaling and root planing Correct answer.
  2. Taking a medical history and recording vital signs
  3. Exposing dental radiographs under supervision
  4. Placing and removing a rubber dam

Explanation

Scaling and root planing are periodontal hygiene services reserved to licensed dental hygienists (and dentists). Tasks such as radiographs, vital signs, and certain dam placement may be delegated to assistants under the applicable rules.

Question 31North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A dental hygienist's license has been revoked by the Board following a disciplinary hearing. What is the hygienist's status with respect to practicing dental hygiene in North Carolina?

  1. She is not authorized to practice dental hygiene unless the Board later reinstates her Correct answer.
  2. She may practice if a supervising dentist signs a written attestation of her competence
  3. She may continue practicing until the appeal period expires
  4. She may practice only in a public health setting

Explanation

Revocation terminates the authority to practice; the individual may not provide dental hygiene services unless the Board grants reinstatement under its rules. Neither an appeal period nor a dentist's attestation restores practice authority.

Question 32North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

Which statement best describes the purpose of the North Carolina Dental Practice Act?

  1. It sets minimum fees that dentists and hygienists may charge for services
  2. It sets the curriculum standards for all dental assisting programs nationwide
  3. It governs malpractice insurance requirements for dental employers
  4. It establishes the regulatory framework and standards for the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene to protect the public Correct answer.

Explanation

The Dental Practice Act defines licensure, scope of practice, supervision, and disciplinary authority so that dental care is delivered by qualified providers and the public is protected. It is a regulatory statute, not a fee schedule or insurance mandate.

Question 33North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A dental hygienist is employed in a long-term care facility and provides oral care to residents. Which statement best reflects North Carolina requirements for that practice?

  1. The hygienist may delegate hygiene procedures to facility nursing staff
  2. The hygienist may practice there without a license because the setting is residential rather than a dental office
  3. The hygienist must obtain a separate facility-specific license issued by the Department of Health and Human Services
  4. The hygienist must hold a current North Carolina license and comply with Board rules on supervision and settings Correct answer.

Explanation

Licensure follows the provider, not the building; a hygienist practicing in a nursing facility still needs a current North Carolina license and must follow Board rules on supervision and practice settings. Facility staff cannot be delegated hygiene procedures.

Question 34North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A dentist asks a hygienist to perform a procedure that the hygienist believes exceeds the scope authorized for dental hygienists in North Carolina. What is the most appropriate response?

  1. Perform the procedure because the dentist accepts responsibility for the delegation
  2. Perform the procedure but document the dentist's instruction in the chart
  3. Decline to perform the procedure and discuss the scope limitation with the dentist Correct answer.
  4. Ask a dental assistant to perform it instead so the patient is not inconvenienced

Explanation

A hygienist is personally accountable for practicing within the authorized scope; a dentist's request does not expand that scope. The appropriate action is to decline and address the issue with the dentist rather than shift the task to another provider.

Question 35North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A dental hygienist is charged with obtaining her license through fraudulent representations on her application. Which action may the Board take?

  1. Suspend or revoke the license and impose other sanctions authorized by the Act Correct answer.
  2. Require the hygienist to retake the clinical board examination as the sole remedy
  3. Only issue a private written warning, because fraud is handled exclusively by the courts
  4. Refer the matter to the American Dental Association for final disposition

Explanation

Fraud in obtaining a license is a statutory ground for discipline, and the Board may impose sanctions including suspension, revocation, civil penalties, or other authorized remedies. Court action and Board discipline are not mutually exclusive.

Question 36North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A dental hygienist wants to provide services in a school-based sealant program where no dentist is on site. What must be in place for this arrangement to be consistent with North Carolina rules?

  1. The hygienist must obtain written consent from each student's teacher
  2. The program must operate under the supervision and authorization required by the Act and Board rules, such as an authorized dentist relationship or a recognized public health program Correct answer.
  3. At least one dental assistant must be present at all times
  4. The hygienist must hold a separate school health certificate issued by the Department of Public Instruction

Explanation

Off-site services such as school sealant programs must fit within the supervision and authorization framework established by the Act and Board rules, which may include public health program provisions. Consent from teachers or a separate school certificate is not the governing requirement.

Question 37North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A dental hygienist's license lapses because she failed to renew it on time. Which statement best reflects her status under North Carolina law?

  1. She may continue working while the renewal is processed
  2. Her employer's malpractice carrier automatically extends her authority to practice
  3. She may practice for a 90-day grace period without any Board action
  4. She is practicing without a license if she sees patients before renewal is complete Correct answer.

Explanation

Practice authority depends on holding a current, active license; once it lapses, providing hygiene services constitutes unlicensed practice unless the Board has granted a specific status. Processing time or insurance coverage does not extend authority.

Question 38North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A patient tells a hygienist that she believes another hygienist discussed her HIV status with neighbors. Which statement best reflects the applicable North Carolina legal framework?

  1. HIV information may be shared freely because it is part of the dental record
  2. Confidentiality applies only to dentists, not to hygienists
  3. Unauthorized disclosure of HIV-related information may violate state confidentiality law and support discipline Correct answer.
  4. Disclosure is permitted whenever the listener is a licensed health care provider

Explanation

North Carolina law protects the confidentiality of HIV-related and other health information, and unauthorized disclosure can violate that law and constitute grounds for Board discipline. The duty applies to hygienists as licensed providers.

Question 39North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A dental hygienist suspects that a child patient is being abused. What action is most consistent with North Carolina law and Board expectations?

  1. Confront the parent in the operatory before deciding whether to report
  2. Report the suspicion to the county department of social services as required by mandatory reporting law Correct answer.
  3. Report the concern only to the dentist and take no further action
  4. Wait until the next recall appointment to see whether injuries recur

Explanation

North Carolina mandatory reporting law requires health care providers, including dental hygienists, to report suspected child abuse or neglect to the appropriate county department of social services. Internal notification to the dentist does not replace the statutory report.

Question 40North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

Which practice is most consistent with the Board's expectations for patient records maintained in a North Carolina dental practice?

  1. Keeping accurate, legible records of treatment and retaining them for the period required by Board rules Correct answer.
  2. Retaining records only until the balance is paid in full
  3. Recording treatment entries only when a complication occurs
  4. Destroying radiographs immediately after the dentist reviews them

Explanation

Board rules require accurate, legible documentation of treatment and retention of records for the prescribed period. Records are legal documents that support continuity of care and may be needed for complaints or litigation.

Question 41North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

During a Board investigation of a patient complaint, a dental hygienist is asked to provide treatment records. What is the most appropriate response?

  1. Provide the records as requested and cooperate with the Board's inquiry Correct answer.
  2. Ask the patient to retrieve the records from the practice and deliver them
  3. Refuse to provide records because they belong solely to the patient
  4. Provide only the records that support the hygienist's position

Explanation

Licensees are expected to cooperate with Board investigations, which includes producing requested records. Selective production or refusal can itself become a disciplinary issue.

Question 42North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A dental hygienist wants to administer local anesthesia in North Carolina. Which statement best reflects the requirement?

  1. The hygienist may administer anesthesia if the dentist is in the building, regardless of training
  2. The hygienist must meet the Board's additional education, examination, and certification requirements for local anesthesia Correct answer.
  3. Any licensed hygienist may administer local anesthesia without additional training
  4. Local anesthesia may be administered by a hygienist only in hospital settings

Explanation

Administering local anesthesia requires additional authorized education, examination, and certification beyond the basic hygiene license, as specified in Board rules. The dentist's presence alone does not satisfy the training requirement.

Question 43North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A dentist is preparing to delegate a task to a hygienist. Which statement best describes the dentist's responsibility?

  1. The dentist may delegate tasks to unlicensed staff if the hygienist is unavailable
  2. The dentist bears no responsibility for services once delegation occurs
  3. The dentist may delegate any task as long as the patient consents
  4. The dentist must delegate only tasks permitted by law and must provide the level of supervision the rules require Correct answer.

Explanation

A dentist may delegate only services authorized by the Act and rules and must ensure the required supervision level is met. Responsibility for proper delegation remains with the dentist.

Question 44North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A dental hygienist in North Carolina is reviewing her continuing education obligations for license renewal. Which statement is most accurate?

  1. Any self-study activity qualifies without documentation
  2. No continuing education is required once the hygienist has five years of experience
  3. Continuing education is required only if the hygienist has been disciplined
  4. The hygienist must complete the continuing education hours required by Board rules, including any specified subject areas, for each renewal cycle Correct answer.

Explanation

Board rules establish continuing education hour requirements and may specify particular subject areas for each renewal cycle. Documentation must be maintained, and the obligation applies regardless of experience or discipline history.

Question 45North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A dental hygienist is offered a position that would require her to supervise a dental assistant in performing a hygiene procedure. Why is this arrangement inconsistent with North Carolina law?

  1. Because hygienists may supervise assistants only in public health clinics
  2. Because supervision by a hygienist is permitted only after five years of experience
  3. Because the hygienist cannot delegate a procedure that requires a licensed hygienist to an assistant, regardless of supervision Correct answer.
  4. Because assistants may perform hygiene procedures only on adults

Explanation

Tasks restricted to licensed hygienists cannot be delegated to assistants merely because a hygienist is watching. Supervision does not convert a non-delegable hygiene service into a lawful assistant task.

Question 46North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A hygienist is employed in a practice where the dentist is frequently away from the office. Which arrangement best complies with North Carolina supervision rules?

  1. The hygienist may practice without any dentist relationship if she has ten years of experience
  2. The hygienist may see new patients and diagnose their periodontal conditions independently
  3. The hygienist may perform any procedure the dentist has pre-approved in a written standing order, including procedures outside hygiene scope
  4. The hygienist may see patients under general supervision when the dentist has authorized care and met any examination requirements Correct answer.

Explanation

General supervision allows the hygienist to treat patients when the dentist has authorized the services and satisfied examination requirements, without requiring the dentist's presence. It does not permit independent diagnosis or expansion of scope.

Question 47North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A dental hygienist learns that a colleague is practicing with an expired license. Which action is most consistent with professional and legal obligations in North Carolina?

  1. Wait until the colleague's renewal application is denied before acting
  2. Ignore the situation because licensure is a personal matter
  3. Report the concern to the Board so that unlicensed practice can be addressed Correct answer.
  4. Send an anonymous letter to the colleague's patients

Explanation

Practicing on a lapsed license is unlicensed practice, and reporting the concern to the Board protects patients and supports the regulatory system. Waiting or ignoring the conduct allows continued unlawful practice.

Question 48North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A dental hygienist is asked to sign a blank treatment entry that the dentist will complete later. Which response is most consistent with North Carolina recordkeeping and ethics rules?

  1. Sign it, because the dentist is responsible for the final content
  2. Sign it only if the entry will be completed the same day
  3. Sign it if the office uses paper rather than electronic records
  4. Decline, because falsifying or pre-signing records is improper and may constitute grounds for discipline Correct answer.

Explanation

Pre-signing blank entries creates inaccurate records and can constitute falsification, which is a disciplinary ground. Records must reflect services actually provided and be completed by the provider at the time of service.

Question 49North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A dental hygienist working under general supervision notices a lesion that she believes requires urgent dentist evaluation. Which action best reflects appropriate practice within North Carolina rules?

  1. Take no action because general supervision means the dentist has no involvement
  2. Diagnose the lesion and begin treatment without notifying the dentist
  3. Document the finding and arrange for the dentist to evaluate the patient as required by the supervision arrangement Correct answer.
  4. Refer the patient directly to an oral surgeon without informing the dentist

Explanation

Under general supervision the hygienist documents findings and ensures the dentist evaluates matters requiring diagnosis, since diagnosis remains the dentist's responsibility. Direct independent referral or independent diagnosis exceeds the hygiene role.

Question 50North Carolina Dental Practice Act and Board rules governing dental hygiene practice

A dental hygienist is considering advertising that she is a "board-certified specialist in periodontal therapy." Which statement best reflects North Carolina requirements?

  1. Use of specialty titles is governed by the Act and Board rules, and misleading representations about credentials may constitute grounds for discipline Correct answer.
  2. The title is permissible if the dentist approves it in writing
  3. Any hygienist may use a specialty title if she has completed a weekend course
  4. Specialty titles are regulated only for dentists, so hygienists may use any title

Explanation

The Act and Board rules govern how licensees may represent their credentials, and misleading advertising or false claims of certification can support discipline. A weekend course or a dentist's approval does not create a recognized specialty designation.