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NV Dental Hygiene Jurisprudence study materials
NV Dental Hygiene Jurisprudence study resources

NV Dental Hygiene Jurisprudence practice questions

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Question 1Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

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

  1. A dental assistant with two years of chairside experience
  2. A dental student enrolled in an accredited program
  3. A person who holds a current Nevada license as a dental hygienist Correct answer.
  4. A person certified in radiography by a community college

Explanation

The Act defines dental hygiene practice as work performed by a person licensed by the Board as a dental hygienist. Experience, student status, or a radiography certificate does not confer licensure or authorize independent hygiene practice in Nevada.

Question 2Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

Which body administers and enforces the Nevada Dental Practice Act?

  1. The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services
  2. The Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners Correct answer.
  3. The Commission on Dental Accreditation
  4. The Clark County District Health Department

Explanation

The Nevada Dental Practice Act creates the State Board of Dental Examiners and delegates to it the licensing and disciplinary authority over dentists, dental hygienists, and other licensees. Health departments and CODA have different, non-licensing roles.

Question 3Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

In the Nevada Dental Practice Act, the term "practice of dental hygiene" is best described as practice performed under what condition?

  1. Independently, without any relationship to a dentist, in all settings
  2. Under the supervision of a licensed dentist, as defined by the Act Correct answer.
  3. Only within a hospital operating room
  4. Only after five years of practice as a dental assistant

Explanation

The Act defines dental hygiene as services performed under the supervision of a licensed dentist, with the level of supervision specified by statute and Board regulation. Independent practice without any dentist relationship is not the general rule under the Act.

Question 4Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

A dental hygienist in Nevada wishes to provide services to residents of a skilled nursing facility. Which statement reflects the Act's structure?

  1. A separate facility license from the Board is required before any hygiene service may be delivered
  2. The Act and Board regulations may authorize specified services in certain settings under defined conditions Correct answer.
  3. Only a dentist may enter a nursing facility to provide preventive services
  4. Hygiene services are prohibited in any facility that is not a licensed dental office

Explanation

The Act and its regulations recognize settings beyond the traditional dental office and attach conditions to services delivered there. The precise requirements come from statute and Board rule rather than a blanket prohibition or a facility license.

Question 5Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

Which of the following is most consistent with the Act's definition of the "practice of dentistry"?

  1. Scheduling appointments at a dental office
  2. Filing a patient's dental insurance claim forms
  3. Diagnosing and treating conditions of the oral cavity Correct answer.
  4. Sterilizing instruments between patient visits

Explanation

The practice of dentistry is defined around diagnosis, treatment, and correction of conditions of the oral cavity and adjacent structures. Administrative tasks and sterilization are supportive functions, not the statutory definition of dentistry.

Question 6Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

A dental hygienist's license in Nevada has lapsed because the renewal fee was not paid. What is the effect on the right to practice?

  1. The hygienist may not practice until the license is reinstated through the Board's process Correct answer.
  2. The hygienist may practice for a grace period of one year without Board action
  3. The hygienist may continue practicing while paying the fee in installments
  4. The hygienist may practice if the supervising dentist signs a written waiver

Explanation

Practicing on a lapsed license is unlicensed practice, and reinstatement must follow the Board's procedures. A supervising dentist cannot waive licensure requirements, and the Act does not create a self-executing one-year grace period for practice.

Question 7Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

Which activity falls within the statutory scope of dental hygiene rather than the practice of dentistry?

  1. Performing a prophylaxis and applying a topical fluoride treatment Correct answer.
  2. Extracting a erupted permanent tooth
  3. Prescribing an antibiotic for a dental infection
  4. Preparing a tooth for a permanent crown

Explanation

Preventive services such as prophylaxis and topical fluoride application are core dental hygiene functions. Extraction, prescribing medication, and crown preparation are dental treatment reserved to licensed dentists.

Question 8Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

The Nevada Dental Practice Act is best characterized as which type of law?

  1. A state statute establishing licensure and regulating dental professionals Correct answer.
  2. A private accreditation standard published by CODA
  3. A federal regulation issued by the FDA
  4. A municipal ordinance adopted by a city council

Explanation

The Dental Practice Act is Nevada state legislation that creates the licensing board and sets the legal framework for dental practice. Federal agencies, cities, and accreditors do not enact it.

Question 9Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

A hygienist is asked by an employer to perform a task that the hygienist believes exceeds the hygiene scope of practice. What is the most appropriate action under the Act?

  1. Decline the task unless the Act or Board regulation authorizes a hygienist to perform it Correct answer.
  2. Perform the task because the dentist accepts responsibility
  3. Perform the task after documenting the dentist's verbal instruction
  4. Perform the task only if the patient signs a consent form

Explanation

Scope of practice is set by statute and regulation, not by an employer's direction or a patient's consent. A hygienist who performs an unauthorized task risks discipline regardless of who requested it.

Question 10Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

Which term in the Act describes a licensee's obligation to protect patient information obtained during care?

  1. Standard of care for diagnosis
  2. Confidentiality of patient records Correct answer.
  3. Implied consent to treatment
  4. Scope of practice for delegation

Explanation

Confidentiality governs how patient information may be used and disclosed by licensees. Implied consent, standard of care, and scope of practice address different legal concepts within the Act.

Question 11Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

Under the Act's framework, who may delegate tasks to a dental hygienist?

  1. The patient, through a written request
  2. Any dental office manager
  3. A dental assistant with seniority
  4. A licensed dentist, within the limits the Act and Board rules allow Correct answer.

Explanation

Delegation authority flows from the licensed dentist, and only tasks permitted by statute and regulation may be delegated. Office staff and patients cannot create delegation authority.

Question 12Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

A person who has never been licensed in any state performs dental hygiene services for payment in Nevada. This conduct is best described as:

  1. Permissible if the person trained on the job
  2. Unlicensed practice of dental hygiene Correct answer.
  3. Lawful because no license was ever revoked
  4. Acceptable if a dentist reviews the work afterward

Explanation

Providing hygiene services for compensation without a Nevada license constitutes unlicensed practice, which the Act prohibits and the Board may prosecute. On-the-job training and later dentist review do not cure the absence of a license.

Question 13Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

Which statement about the Board's rulemaking role under the Nevada Dental Practice Act is accurate?

  1. The Board may delegate its rulemaking power to a professional association
  2. The Board adopts regulations that implement and carry out the Act Correct answer.
  3. The Board's regulations override conflicting statutory language
  4. The Board may amend the Act itself when clinical standards change

Explanation

An administrative board implements legislation through regulations that must remain consistent with the statute. The Board cannot amend the Act, override it, or hand off its rulemaking authority.

Question 14Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

A dental hygienist moves to Nevada from another state and holds an active license there. What does the Act generally require before the hygienist may practice in Nevada?

  1. Practice under a dentist's sponsorship without any Nevada license
  2. Obtain a Nevada license through the Board's licensure pathway for out-of-state applicants Correct answer.
  3. Submit a resume to the Board and wait for a receipt
  4. Begin practicing immediately and apply within one year

Explanation

Nevada licensure is required regardless of licensure elsewhere, and out-of-state applicants must satisfy the Board's established pathway. Practicing first and applying later, or practicing on sponsorship alone, is unlicensed practice.

Question 15Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

Which of these is a recognized basis for Board discipline of a Nevada dental hygienist?

  1. Treating patients older than 65
  2. Practicing while impaired by alcohol or drugs Correct answer.
  3. Taking continuing education online
  4. Working in more than one dental office

Explanation

Impairment while practicing is a classic ground for disciplinary action because it endangers patients. Working at multiple offices, treating older adults, and choosing online continuing education are not, by themselves, violations.

Question 16Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

The Act's definitions section is important to a hygienist primarily because it:

  1. Supplies the meaning of terms that determine the boundaries of authorized practice Correct answer.
  2. Lists the fees the Board charges for each application
  3. Sets the salary of the Board's executive director
  4. Describes the Board's annual meeting schedule

Explanation

Defined terms such as practice of dental hygiene and supervision control how far a licensee may go in patient care. Fees, meeting schedules, and salaries are addressed elsewhere and do not define scope.

Question 17Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

A patient asks a hygienist to diagnose a suspicious oral lesion. What is the hygienist's appropriate role under the Act?

  1. Render a definitive diagnosis and begin treatment
  2. Recognize and report the finding to the supervising dentist for diagnosis Correct answer.
  3. Prescribe a medicated rinse and monitor the lesion
  4. Refer the patient directly for surgery without notifying the dentist

Explanation

Diagnosis is part of the practice of dentistry, so the hygienist's role is to identify and report findings to the dentist. Rendering a diagnosis, prescribing, or arranging surgery independently exceeds the hygiene scope.

Question 18Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

Which phrase best captures the Act's purpose in regulating dental hygiene?

  1. Standardizing fees charged to patients
  2. Limiting the number of hygienists in each county
  3. Promoting the financial interests of dental practices
  4. Protecting the public health, safety, and welfare Correct answer.

Explanation

Professional licensing statutes are enacted under the police power to protect public health, safety, and welfare. Economic protection, geographic quotas, and fee standardization are not the stated purpose.

Question 19Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

A dentist tells a hygienist to perform a procedure that Board regulations permit only when specific conditions are met. Which response best reflects the Act's requirements?

  1. Refuse all delegated procedures as a general policy
  2. Proceed and document the dentist's instruction as a defense
  3. Proceed because the dentist's instruction is controlling
  4. Confirm the regulatory conditions are satisfied before proceeding Correct answer.

Explanation

Delegated procedures remain lawful only when the statutory and regulatory conditions are met. A dentist's instruction does not override those conditions, and a blanket refusal misreads the delegation framework.

Question 20Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

Which of the following best describes how the Act treats the use of the title "dental hygienist"?

  1. It is restricted to persons licensed by the Board as dental hygienists Correct answer.
  2. It may be used by retired hygienists whose licenses lapsed
  3. It may be used by students who have completed coursework
  4. It may be used by any employee who performs cleanings

Explanation

Title protection prevents unlicensed persons from holding themselves out as dental hygienists. Performing cleanings, completing coursework, or holding a lapsed license does not authorize use of the protected title.

Question 21Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

A hygienist suspects that a colleague is practicing while unlicensed. Under the Act's framework, what is the most appropriate step?

  1. Ignore the matter because licensure is the dentist's responsibility
  2. Confront the colleague and demand a cash settlement
  3. Post the allegation on a public social media page
  4. Report the concern to the Board of Dental Examiners Correct answer.

Explanation

The Board is the agency charged with investigating unlicensed practice and licensee misconduct. Self-help demands, inaction, and public accusations are not the statutory mechanism for addressing the concern.

Question 22Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

Which statement about continuing education under the Nevada Dental Practice Act is most accurate?

  1. Continuing education is optional for hygienists who have practiced over ten years
  2. Continuing education hours may be waived by the employing dentist
  3. The Board establishes continuing education requirements as a condition of license renewal Correct answer.
  4. Continuing education is required only after a disciplinary action

Explanation

Continuing education is a renewal condition set by the Board through statute and regulation. It applies generally rather than being optional, waivable by an employer, or triggered only by discipline.

Question 23Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

A dental hygienist is asked to sign a dentist's name to a prescription pad entry. How should the hygienist respond under the Act?

  1. Comply and note the dentist's permission in the chart
  2. Comply if the patient is waiting and the dentist is unavailable
  3. Refuse, because signing another licensee's name constitutes falsification Correct answer.
  4. Comply if the dentist gives verbal permission

Explanation

Signing another person's name on a prescription or record is falsification and a disciplinary ground, regardless of verbal permission. The appropriate response is to decline and route the matter to the dentist.

Question 24Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

The Act's supervision provisions matter most to a hygienist because they:

  1. Determine the hygienist's hourly wage
  2. Set the number of patients a hygienist may see daily
  3. Define the degree of dentist oversight required for particular hygiene services Correct answer.
  4. Establish the ownership structure of dental practices

Explanation

Supervision categories such as direct and general supervision determine when a dentist must be present or authorize care. Wages, daily patient counts, and ownership structure are not governed by supervision provisions.

Question 25Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

Which statement best reflects the relationship between the Nevada Dental Practice Act and Board regulations?

  1. The Act applies only to dentists while regulations govern hygienists
  2. Regulations take effect only after approval by a national dental association
  3. Regulations replace the Act whenever the Board updates them
  4. Regulations must be consistent with the Act and may fill in operational detail Correct answer.

Explanation

Regulations implement the statute and must remain within its authority, supplying detail the legislature did not spell out. They do not supersede the Act, split coverage by license type, or require outside association approval.

Question 26Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

Under the Nevada Dental Practice Act, which entity is vested with the authority to adopt regulations that implement and enforce the statutory provisions governing dental hygienists?

  1. The county district health officer
  2. The Nevada Legislature's interim health committee
  3. The Attorney General's consumer protection division
  4. The Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners Correct answer.

Explanation

The Act delegates day-to-day administration and rulemaking to the Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners, which adopts regulations consistent with the statute. The Legislature enacts the statute itself but does not administer licensing. Other agencies have no rulemaking authority over dental hygiene licensure.

Question 27Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

A Nevada statute defines a term used throughout the Dental Practice Act but does not itself spell out the definition. Where does the Act's definitions section place such terms for purposes of the chapter?

  1. In the informed consent document signed by each patient
  2. In the regulation of the Board, which controls over the statute
  3. In federal regulations adopted by the United States Department of Health and Human Services
  4. In the chapter's definitions provisions, which govern the terms as used in that chapter Correct answer.

Explanation

Statutory definitions are placed in the definitions section of the chapter and control how those terms are read throughout that chapter. They are not supplied by federal agencies or by clinical paperwork. Board regulations must remain consistent with the statutory definitions rather than override them.

Question 28Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

A Nevada-licensed hygienist is employed in a public health program and provides services under the general supervision arrangements the Act permits in that setting. Which statement best describes how the Act structures this authority?

  1. The Act bars hygienists from any public health employment outside a private dental office
  2. The Act allows the arrangement only if the hygienist holds a separate public health certificate issued by the state health division
  3. The Act permits it because the statute and Board regulations specify settings and supervision levels for hygiene practice Correct answer.
  4. The Act permits it only when a dentist is physically present in the same treatment room

Explanation

The Act and the Board's regulations identify practice settings and the level of supervision required in each, and public health programs are among the recognized settings. The authority flows from the statutory and regulatory framework rather than from a separate health division certificate. Physical presence is not required in every setting.

Question 29Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

Which individual would be subject to the licensing requirements of the Nevada Dental Practice Act when performing intraoral scaling and polishing for compensation?

  1. A dental student completing a summer externship in a private office
  2. A dental assistant who has completed an on-the-job training program
  3. A receptionist who has been trained by the dentist to polish teeth
  4. A person holding a current Nevada license to practice dental hygiene Correct answer.

Explanation

The Act requires a license to practice dental hygiene, and scaling and polishing for compensation are core hygiene services. Unlicensed personnel, including trained assistants and students outside an approved program, may not perform them. The license is what authorizes the activity.

Question 30Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

The Act authorizes the Board to deny a hygiene license or take disciplinary action against a licensee for which type of conduct?

  1. Working fewer than forty hours per week in clinical practice
  2. Obtaining a license through fraud or misrepresentation in the application Correct answer.
  3. Referring a patient to a specialist for evaluation
  4. Declining to join a professional association

Explanation

Procuring a license by fraud or misrepresentation is a classic ground for denial or discipline because it undermines the integrity of the licensing process. Practice volume, association membership, and appropriate referrals are not statutory violations. Discipline must rest on conduct the Act identifies.

Question 31Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

A hygienist is completing a renewal and wants to know what the Act requires regarding continuing education. Which statement is most accurate?

  1. Completion of continuing education is a condition the Board enforces for renewal, with the specific hours and content set by regulation Correct answer.
  2. Continuing education requirements are set by the federal government and apply uniformly nationwide
  3. Continuing education is required only after a disciplinary action
  4. Continuing education is purely voluntary and has no effect on license status

Explanation

The Act makes continuing education a condition of renewal and delegates the specifics, such as hours and acceptable subject matter, to Board regulation. It applies to all renewing licensees, not only those under discipline. Requirements are state-based rather than federally uniform.

Question 32Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

A hygienist is asked to place a restorative material in a prepared cavity. How does the Act's division between dentistry and dental hygiene resolve this request?

  1. The procedure is permitted because it involves a tooth the hygienist already cleaned
  2. The hygienist may proceed if a dental assistant is also present
  3. The hygienist may proceed because the dentist delegated the task
  4. The procedure falls within the practice of dentistry and is outside the statutory scope of dental hygiene Correct answer.

Explanation

Restorative procedures such as placing filling material are part of the statutory definition of dentistry, and delegation cannot expand the hygiene scope beyond what the Act allows. A hygienist may perform only services the Act and regulations assign to hygiene. The presence of another person or prior cleaning does not change the classification.

Question 33Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

The Act addresses the use of titles in dental practice. Which statement best reflects its treatment of the title "dental hygienist"?

  1. The title has no legal significance and is a matter of office custom
  2. Any dental office employee may use the title if the dentist approves
  3. The title may be used only by a person licensed under the Act to practice dental hygiene Correct answer.
  4. The title may be used by a student who has completed the first year of a hygiene program

Explanation

Licensed titles are protected so the public can rely on them as evidence of state qualification. Only a person holding a Nevada dental hygiene license may represent themselves as a dental hygienist. Neither employer approval nor partial education creates that authority.

Question 34Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

A hygienist in Nevada is reviewing the Act to determine what happens when a licensee's conduct falls below the standard of care but no patient was harmed. Which principle applies?

  1. Standard-of-care questions are resolved only by civil courts and never by the Board
  2. Discipline requires proof of actual patient injury in every case
  3. Discipline may rest on departures from accepted standards of practice even without proven harm Correct answer.
  4. The Board may act only if a criminal charge has been filed

Explanation

Licensing discipline protects the public and may be imposed for conduct that falls below accepted standards, regardless of whether injury occurred. The Board's authority is independent of civil litigation or criminal charges. Requiring actual harm would leave many risks unaddressed.

Question 35Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

A person who holds an inactive Nevada hygiene license wishes to resume seeing patients. What does the Act generally require before practice may resume?

  1. Nothing, because the license was never revoked
  2. Compliance with the renewal and reinstatement requirements the Board establishes, which may include fees and continuing education Correct answer.
  3. Automatic reinstatement upon payment of the original examination fee
  4. Only a letter from a supervising dentist confirming competence

Explanation

An inactive or lapsed license must be restored through the Board's renewal or reinstatement process, which can include fees, continuing education, and other conditions. A dentist's endorsement cannot substitute for the Board's action. The original examination fee is not the mechanism for restoring status.

Question 36Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

Which statement best explains why the Act's definitions of "dentistry" and "dental hygiene" matter in daily practice?

  1. They set the fee schedule that dentists may charge for hygiene services
  2. They specify the building codes for dental treatment rooms
  3. They establish the malpractice insurance limits required of each licensee
  4. They determine which procedures are reserved to dentistry and which may be performed in hygiene practice Correct answer.

Explanation

The statutory definitions draw the boundary between the two professions and therefore determine what a hygienist may lawfully do. Fees, insurance limits, and facility codes are governed by other law or agreement. The definitions are the operative text for scope questions.

Question 37Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

A hygienist is asked to perform a task that the Act does not expressly assign to dental hygiene but that Board regulations permit when a dentist has examined the patient and authorized the service. What is the most defensible conclusion?

  1. The task may be performed only if the hygienist obtains a separate specialty license
  2. The task may be performed because validly adopted regulations can define the conditions under which hygiene services are provided Correct answer.
  3. The task is prohibited because it is not listed in the statutory definition of dental hygiene
  4. The task is prohibited unless the patient signs a waiver of Board oversight

Explanation

The Act authorizes the Board to adopt regulations that implement the statutory scheme, and those regulations can specify conditions for services within hygiene practice. A task need not appear verbatim in the statutory definition to be permissible. A patient waiver cannot authorize practice outside the regulatory framework.

Question 38Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

Which of the following best describes the Act's purpose in regulating the practice of dental hygiene?

  1. To standardize fees across Nevada communities
  2. To protect the public health and safety by ensuring that providers meet state standards Correct answer.
  3. To guarantee a minimum income for licensed hygienists
  4. To limit competition among dental offices

Explanation

Occupational licensing statutes exist to protect the public by setting entry and practice standards. Economic protection of licensees or limitation of competition is not the stated purpose. Fee uniformity is not a function of the Act.

Question 39Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

A hygienist reads that a particular requirement appears in Board regulations but not in the text of the Dental Practice Act itself. How should the hygienist treat the requirement?

  1. As binding, because regulations adopted under the Act's authority have the force of law for licensees Correct answer.
  2. As optional guidance that may be disregarded without consequence
  3. As applicable only to dentists and not to hygienists
  4. As unenforceable because only statutes bind licensees

Explanation

Regulations adopted under statutory authority are binding on licensees and enforceable through the Board's disciplinary process. They are not mere suggestions. Their validity depends on consistency with the statute, not on duplication of the statutory text.

Question 40Nevada Dental Practice Act: statutory structure, definitions, and scope

A hygienist wants to verify whether a specific task is within the scope of dental hygiene in Nevada. Which approach best reflects the structure of the Act and its regulations?

  1. Rely on the manufacturer's instructions for the device used
  2. Rely on the scope rules of the state where the hygienist was originally licensed
  3. Consult the statutory definitions and the Board's regulations together, since scope is determined by their combined effect Correct answer.
  4. Rely on the practice patterns of the employing dentist as the controlling standard

Explanation

Scope of practice in Nevada is determined by reading the statutory definitions alongside the Board's implementing regulations. Prior licensure elsewhere or an employer's habits do not define Nevada authority. Manufacturer instructions address safe use, not legal scope.

Question 41Scope of practice and supervision levels for dental hygienists

In Nevada, a dental hygienist who holds a current license may perform authorized hygiene procedures under which level of supervision when the supervising dentist has examined the patient and prescribed the treatment?

  1. Direct supervision
  2. General supervision Correct answer.
  3. Personal supervision by a dental assistant
  4. Independent practice without any dentist involvement

Explanation

Nevada allows licensed hygienists to deliver most hygiene services under general supervision, meaning the dentist has authorized the work and examined the patient but need not be physically present in the operatory. Direct supervision, by contrast, requires the dentist to be on the premises and available. The distinction turns on the dentist's physical presence, not on whether a prescription exists.

Question 42Scope of practice and supervision levels for dental hygienists

Which individual is legally authorized to provide the supervision required for a dental hygienist's routine prophylaxis in Nevada?

  1. A certified dental assistant with expanded functions
  2. A registered dental hygienist with ten years of experience
  3. The office practice manager
  4. A licensed dentist Correct answer.

Explanation

Only a licensed dentist may supervise dental hygiene services; the supervision relationship is defined between the dentist and the hygienist. Neither assistants, other hygienists, nor administrative staff can substitute for the dentist in this role. This reflects the statutory structure in which the dentist retains responsibility for the patient's overall care.

Question 43Scope of practice and supervision levels for dental hygienists

A dental hygienist in Nevada wishes to administer local anesthesia. Which requirement must be satisfied before this is permitted?

  1. Twelve months of practice as a hygienist
  2. Nothing further, because local anesthesia is within the basic hygiene scope
  3. Completion of an approved course and possession of the appropriate permit or certificate Correct answer.
  4. A written request from the patient

Explanation

Local anesthesia administration is an expanded function for hygienists and requires additional education through an approved program plus the corresponding permit. Basic licensure alone does not authorize it. The dentist must also be available consistent with the applicable supervision standard for that function.

Question 44Scope of practice and supervision levels for dental hygienists

Under Nevada law, a dental hygienist may provide services to patients of record in certain settings without the prior examination of a dentist when which condition is met?

  1. The patient signs a waiver accepting responsibility
  2. The services are limited to fluoride application
  3. The hygienist has malpractice insurance
  4. The hygienist holds a public health endorsement or permit authorizing practice in specified public health settings Correct answer.

Explanation

Nevada provides a public health endorsement that expands where and how hygienists may practice, including access-to-care settings such as schools and clinics, with reduced or no prior dentist examination. This authority flows from the endorsement, not from patient waivers or insurance status. The specific settings and conditions are defined in statute and regulation.

Question 45Scope of practice and supervision levels for dental hygienists

A dentist is out of the office for the afternoon but has examined the patient and authorized today's scaling and root planing. The hygienist proceeds. Which statement best describes this arrangement?

  1. It is impermissible because the dentist must always be on the premises
  2. It is permissible only if a dental assistant remains in the building
  3. It is permissible because general supervision does not require the dentist's physical presence Correct answer.
  4. It is impermissible unless the patient is a minor

Explanation

General supervision permits the hygienist to treat an examined and authorized patient while the dentist is absent from the office, provided the dentist remains responsible for the case. The key facts are prior examination and authorization, not physical presence. Requiring on-premises presence would describe direct supervision instead.

Question 46Scope of practice and supervision levels for dental hygienists

Which task falls outside the scope of practice for a Nevada dental hygienist and must be performed by a licensed dentist?

  1. Applying sealants
  2. Performing a prophylaxis
  3. Diagnosing and treatment planning a carious lesion requiring restoration Correct answer.
  4. Taking bitewing radiographs

Explanation

Diagnosis and treatment planning, including the decision to restore a tooth, are reserved to the dentist. Hygienists contribute assessment data such as radiographs and clinical findings, but the definitive diagnosis and restorative plan remain the dentist's responsibility. Preventive and therapeutic hygiene services fall within the hygienist's scope.

Question 47Scope of practice and supervision levels for dental hygienists

Nevada requires that a dental hygienist practicing under direct supervision have the supervising dentist where?

  1. Reachable by telephone within one hour
  2. Available by video conference only
  3. Physically present in the office and immediately available to the patient Correct answer.
  4. Within the same city limits

Explanation

Direct supervision means the dentist is on the premises and available to respond immediately during the procedure. Telephone or geographic proximity is not enough. This standard applies to functions that carry greater risk and therefore demand the dentist's immediate availability.

Question 48Scope of practice and supervision levels for dental hygienists

A hygienist is asked to administer nitrous oxide-oxygen analgesia. What is the correct statement about this function in Nevada?

  1. It requires no additional credential because it is a hygiene service
  2. It requires specific training and a permit, and is performed under the required supervision Correct answer.
  3. It is prohibited for all hygienists
  4. It may be delegated to any dental assistant

Explanation

Nitrous oxide administration is an expanded function for hygienists, requiring approved education and a permit, and it is delivered under the applicable supervision of the dentist. It is neither universally prohibited nor freely delegable to assistants. The credential and supervision conditions must both be satisfied.

Question 49Scope of practice and supervision levels for dental hygienists

Which activity may a Nevada dental hygienist perform as part of the assessment phase of care without additional certification beyond the hygiene license?

  1. Adjusting a denture occlusion
  2. Extracting a mobile primary tooth
  3. Recording periodontal probing depths and charting existing restorations Correct answer.
  4. Prescribing antibiotics for a periodontal infection

Explanation

Assessment activities such as periodontal charting and documenting existing restorations are foundational hygiene functions within the basic license. Prescribing medication, extracting teeth, and adjusting prostheses are dentist-level procedures. The line separates data gathering from diagnosis and irreversible treatment.

Question 50Scope of practice and supervision levels for dental hygienists

A patient presents for a routine cleaning at a Nevada practice where the dentist has never seen the patient. Under general supervision rules, what must occur first?

  1. The dentist must examine the patient and authorize the hygiene treatment Correct answer.
  2. A dental assistant may perform the examination
  3. The patient must sign a consent for unsupervised care
  4. The hygienist may proceed and inform the dentist later

Explanation

General supervision still requires that the dentist examine the patient and prescribe or authorize the treatment before the hygienist proceeds. The dentist's absence during treatment is permitted, but the prior examination is not optional. Retroactive notification does not satisfy the requirement.