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NZ Dental Therapy REX study materials
NZ Dental Therapy REX study resources

NZ Dental Therapy REX practice questions

One question at a time. Build your NZ Dental Therapy REX understanding.

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Question 1Professional, legal and ethical standards

Under New Zealand law, which document primarily sets out the scope of practice for dental therapists and the conditions under which they may practise?

  1. The Privacy Act 2020
  2. The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993
  3. The Medicines Act 1981 alone
  4. The Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 and the scope of practice defined by the Dental Council Correct answer.

Explanation

The Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 provides the framework for regulating health practitioners, and the Dental Council sets the prescribed scope of practice for dental therapists. Other statutes may affect practice but do not define the professional scope.

Question 2Professional, legal and ethical standards

A dental therapist is asked to provide treatment to a child whose parent is present but who refuses a particular preventive procedure. What is the most appropriate professional response?

  1. Proceed because the therapist considers the procedure clinically necessary
  2. Respect the refusal, discuss the rationale and alternatives, and document the decision Correct answer.
  3. Refer the family to another practitioner without discussion
  4. Record the refusal but perform the procedure later without consent

Explanation

Informed consent requires that the patient or guardian voluntarily agrees after receiving adequate information; a refusal must be respected. The therapist should explore the reasons, offer alternatives and record the discussion. Proceeding without consent would breach both ethical and legal obligations.

Question 3Professional, legal and ethical standards

Which statement best describes the principle of beneficence in dental therapy practice?

  1. Respecting patient autonomy above all other considerations
  2. Acting in the patient's best interests to promote their welfare Correct answer.
  3. Avoiding harm to patients at all times
  4. Treating all patients equally regardless of need

Explanation

Beneficence is the ethical obligation to act for the benefit of the patient and promote their wellbeing. Non-maleficence concerns avoiding harm, while justice concerns fairness and equity. Autonomy is a separate principle focused on self-determination.

Question 4Professional, legal and ethical standards

A dental therapist suspects a child is being abused after noticing unexplained injuries and inconsistent explanations. What is the correct course of action under New Zealand law?

  1. Wait until the next appointment to see whether injuries recur
  2. Maintain confidentiality and take no action to preserve trust
  3. Discuss concerns with the wider whānau before acting
  4. Report the concern to Oranga Tamariki or the Police as required by the Children's Act 2014 Correct answer.

Explanation

The Children's Act 2014 places duties on health practitioners to report suspected abuse or neglect to Oranga Tamariki or the Police. Confidentiality does not prevent reporting where there is a statutory duty. Delaying or deferring to family discussion may place the child at further risk.

Question 5Professional, legal and ethical standards

Which of the following best describes the purpose of the Dental Council's recertification requirements for dental therapists?

  1. To ensure practitioners maintain and demonstrate ongoing competence throughout their careers Correct answer.
  2. To rank practitioners for employment purposes
  3. To limit entry into the profession to a fixed number each year
  4. To replace the need for continuing professional development

Explanation

Recertification exists to assure the public that practitioners remain competent and current throughout their practising careers. It is not a ranking or workforce-limiting mechanism, and it depends on continuing professional development rather than replacing it.

Question 6Professional, legal and ethical standards

A dental therapist working in a school-based service is asked to treat a 15-year-old who requests treatment without a parent present. What is the key consideration?

  1. The therapist may treat any patient who requests treatment
  2. The therapist must assess the young person's competence to consent and follow the applicable consent framework Correct answer.
  3. Parental consent is always required until age 18
  4. The therapist should refuse all treatment until the patient turns 16

Explanation

Consent in New Zealand depends on competence rather than a fixed age, and practitioners must assess whether the young person can understand and weigh the decision. The applicable consent framework, including the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights, should guide practice. Blanket rules about age are not consistent with this framework.

Question 7Professional, legal and ethical standards

Which piece of legislation establishes the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights?

  1. The Health Act 1956
  2. The Human Rights Act 1993
  3. The Privacy Act 2020
  4. The Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994 Correct answer.

Explanation

The Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights is a regulation made under the Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994. It sets out rights such as informed consent, respectful treatment and the right to complain. The other statutes address different matters.

Question 8Professional, legal and ethical standards

A dental therapist is offered a gift by a family after completing treatment. Which response best reflects professional boundaries?

  1. Decline all gifts under any circumstances
  2. Accept the gift only if it is cash
  3. Accept any gift regardless of value without declaring it
  4. Consider the nature and value of the gift and follow workplace policy on gifts and conflicts of interest Correct answer.

Explanation

Gifts can create or appear to create obligations, so practitioners should consider the value and context and follow their employer's policy. Declaring and managing potential conflicts of interest maintains trust. Accepting cash or unconditional gifts risks breaching professional boundaries.

Question 9Professional, legal and ethical standards

What is the primary purpose of maintaining accurate and contemporaneous clinical records in dental therapy?

  1. To allow records to be shared freely with any third party
  2. To satisfy only the employer's billing requirements
  3. To replace the need for communication with the patient
  4. To provide a legal record of care and support continuity and quality of treatment Correct answer.

Explanation

Clinical records serve as a legal record of the care provided and support continuity, quality improvement and accountability. They do not replace communication, and sharing is constrained by privacy obligations. Billing is only one secondary use.

Question 10Professional, legal and ethical standards

Under the Privacy Act 2020, when may a dental therapist disclose a patient's health information to a third party without the patient's authorisation?

  1. Only when the patient has moved overseas
  2. Whenever a family member asks for information
  3. Whenever the therapist considers it convenient
  4. When disclosure is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious threat to someone's life or health Correct answer.

Explanation

The Privacy Act 2020 permits disclosure without authorisation in limited circumstances, including where necessary to prevent or lessen a serious threat to life or health. Convenience, family requests or relocation are not sufficient grounds. Disclosure should be limited to what is necessary.

Question 11Professional, legal and ethical standards

A dental therapist is asked to perform a procedure that falls outside their defined scope of practice. What is the appropriate action?

  1. Perform the procedure because the patient has consented
  2. Perform the procedure and document that it was outside scope
  3. Perform the procedure under supervision without further checks
  4. Decline and refer the patient to an appropriate practitioner within their scope Correct answer.

Explanation

Practitioners must work within their defined scope of practice. Performing an out-of-scope procedure, even with consent, risks patient safety and breaches regulatory obligations. The appropriate response is to refer to an appropriately qualified practitioner.

Question 12Professional, legal and ethical standards

Which statement best reflects the concept of culturally safe practice in New Zealand dental therapy?

  1. Requiring patients to adapt to the practitioner's cultural norms
  2. Avoiding discussion of culture in clinical settings
  3. Recognising and addressing power imbalances and the impact of colonisation on health outcomes Correct answer.
  4. Applying the same approach to every patient regardless of background

Explanation

Cultural safety requires practitioners to examine their own biases and the power dynamics in care, including the ongoing impacts of colonisation. It is not about treating everyone identically or requiring patients to adapt. Avoiding cultural discussion undermines culturally safe care.

Question 13Professional, legal and ethical standards

A dental therapist discovers they made an error that caused minor harm to a patient. What is the most appropriate professional action?

  1. Blame the equipment in the record to protect the practitioner
  2. Conceal the error to avoid distress
  3. Document the error but do not inform the patient
  4. Disclose the error openly to the patient, apologise, and document the event and follow-up Correct answer.

Explanation

Open disclosure is an ethical and legal expectation: patients should be informed of harm, receive an apology, and have the event and follow-up documented. Concealment or misattribution undermines trust and may breach the Code of Rights. Honest communication supports learning and accountability.

Question 14Professional, legal and ethical standards

What does the principle of non-maleficence require of a dental therapist?

  1. Always choosing the cheapest treatment option
  2. Providing treatment only when requested by the patient
  3. Avoiding actions that cause unnecessary harm and minimising risk Correct answer.
  4. Maximising the number of treatments provided

Explanation

Non-maleficence requires practitioners to avoid causing unnecessary harm and to minimise risks associated with care. It does not relate to cost minimisation or treatment volume. It works alongside beneficence to guide clinical decisions.

Question 15Professional, legal and ethical standards

A dental therapist is asked by an insurance company to provide a patient's full clinical records without the patient's consent. What is the appropriate response?

  1. Refuse to engage with any insurer ever
  2. Provide only the information the patient has authorised or that is required by law Correct answer.
  3. Provide the records if the insurer promises confidentiality
  4. Provide the records because insurers have automatic access

Explanation

Health information may only be disclosed with the patient's authorisation or where a legal exception applies. Insurers do not have automatic access, and a promise of confidentiality does not substitute for consent. Practitioners should seek consent and disclose only what is necessary.

Question 16Professional, legal and ethical standards

Which of the following best describes the role of the Health and Disability Commissioner in New Zealand?

  1. To prosecute practitioners for criminal offences
  2. To register and discipline practitioners directly
  3. To set the fees practitioners may charge
  4. To promote and protect consumers' rights and resolve complaints about health and disability services Correct answer.

Explanation

The Health and Disability Commissioner promotes and protects consumers' rights, resolves complaints and can refer matters to other bodies. Registration and discipline of practitioners is the role of the Dental Council, not the Commissioner. The Commissioner does not set fees.

Question 17Professional, legal and ethical standards

A dental therapist in a rural area has limited access to specialist support. Which approach best demonstrates professional accountability?

  1. Decline to treat any patient who may need specialist input
  2. Treat patients without documenting referral decisions
  3. Recognise limits of competence and arrange referral or consultation where needed Correct answer.
  4. Perform complex procedures beyond their competence to help the community

Explanation

Professional accountability includes recognising the limits of one's competence and seeking consultation or referral when needed. Working beyond competence, even with good intentions, risks patient harm. Refusing all care or failing to document decisions is not consistent with good practice.

Question 18Professional, legal and ethical standards

Which statement best describes the obligation of a dental therapist regarding informed consent before a procedure?

  1. Consent can be delegated entirely to a receptionist
  2. Consent may be obtained after the procedure is completed
  3. Consent is implied whenever a patient attends an appointment
  4. Consent must be obtained before the procedure, after adequate information is provided Correct answer.

Explanation

Valid informed consent must be obtained before treatment, after the patient has received adequate information about the nature, risks, benefits and alternatives. Attendance at an appointment does not imply consent to any procedure. Obtaining consent is a clinical responsibility.

Question 19Professional, legal and ethical standards

A dental therapist notices a colleague practising while apparently impaired by alcohol. What is the most appropriate action?

  1. Discuss it with patients instead
  2. Report the concern through the appropriate channels to protect patient safety Correct answer.
  3. Ignore the situation to avoid conflict
  4. Wait until a patient is harmed before acting

Explanation

Protecting patient safety takes priority, and practitioners have a professional duty to report concerns about impaired colleagues through appropriate channels. Ignoring the situation or waiting for harm exposes patients to risk. Discussing it with patients is inappropriate and breaches confidentiality.

Question 20Professional, legal and ethical standards

Which of the following is an example of a conflict of interest that a dental therapist should declare?

  1. Recommending a product in which the therapist has a financial interest without disclosure Correct answer.
  2. Attending a professional development course
  3. Following infection control protocols
  4. Referring a patient to a specialist based on clinical need

Explanation

A conflict of interest arises when a practitioner's personal interest could influence clinical recommendations. Financial interests in products should be disclosed and managed. Clinical referrals, professional development and infection control are normal professional activities.

Question 21Professional, legal and ethical standards

What does the principle of justice require in the allocation of dental therapy resources?

  1. Fair and equitable distribution of care and avoidance of discrimination Correct answer.
  2. Treating only patients who can pay
  3. Giving priority to patients who arrive first regardless of need
  4. Providing treatment based on the practitioner's personal preferences

Explanation

Justice in health care concerns fairness, equity and non-discrimination in the distribution of resources and treatment. It is not about ability to pay or arbitrary rules. Personal preference is not a legitimate basis for allocating care.

Question 22Professional, legal and ethical standards

A dental therapist is asked to sign a document certifying competence in a procedure they have not been trained to perform. What is the appropriate action?

  1. Sign the document because a colleague will supervise
  2. Sign the document and complete training later
  3. Refuse to sign and inform the appropriate person of the gap in competence Correct answer.
  4. Sign the document but note concerns privately

Explanation

Certifying competence that one does not possess is dishonest and could endanger patients. The practitioner should refuse and raise the issue so training or supervision can be arranged. Signing with private reservations or planning later training does not make the certification truthful.

Question 23Professional, legal and ethical standards

Which of the following best describes the purpose of professional indemnity insurance for dental therapists?

  1. To guarantee that no complaints will be made
  2. To provide financial protection and support if a claim of harm is made Correct answer.
  3. To allow practitioners to practise outside their scope
  4. To replace the need for competent practice

Explanation

Professional indemnity insurance provides financial protection and assistance in the event of claims arising from practice. It does not replace competent practice, prevent complaints or extend scope. It is one component of professional risk management.

Question 24Professional, legal and ethical standards

A patient with limited English proficiency attends for treatment. What is the most appropriate way to ensure valid informed consent?

  1. Rely on a family member to interpret all clinical information without checking understanding
  2. Proceed with treatment without explanation because consent is implied
  3. Use a qualified interpreter and confirm the patient understands the information Correct answer.
  4. Provide written information in English only

Explanation

Valid consent requires that the patient understands the information provided. Using a qualified interpreter and checking understanding supports this, whereas relying on untrained family interpreters or providing information the patient cannot read may undermine consent. Consent is not implied simply because a patient attends.

Question 25Professional, legal and ethical standards

Which of the following is a professional obligation when a dental therapist receives a complaint from a patient?

  1. Refuse to discuss the complaint without a lawyer present
  2. Retaliate by refusing future care without explanation
  3. Respond openly, acknowledge the concern and follow the complaints process Correct answer.
  4. Discard the complaint if it seems minor

Explanation

Practitioners should respond openly to complaints, acknowledge the patient's concerns and follow the established complaints process. Discarding complaints, refusing discussion or retaliating undermines trust and may breach the Code of Rights. Open communication often resolves concerns early.

Question 26Professional, legal and ethical standards

Under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003, which body is responsible for setting the scope of practice for dental therapists in New Zealand?

  1. The Health and Disability Commissioner
  2. The Dental Council (the responsible authority for the profession) Correct answer.
  3. The New Zealand Dental Association
  4. The Ministry of Health's chief clinical advisor

Explanation

The Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 designates a responsible authority for each profession, and for dental therapists that authority is the Dental Council. The Council defines scopes of practice, sets standards, and administers annual practising certificates. Other agencies have oversight or advocacy roles but cannot define scope.

Question 27Professional, legal and ethical standards

A dental therapist is told by a practice manager to record a treatment as completed when only part of the planned procedure was carried out. Which professional standard is most directly breached by following this instruction?

  1. The requirement to complete continuing professional development hours
  2. The requirement to maintain professional indemnity insurance
  3. The requirement to hold a current annual practising certificate
  4. The requirement for accurate, honest and contemporaneous clinical records Correct answer.

Explanation

Clinical records must be a truthful, accurate and contemporaneous account of what actually occurred, so falsifying a completed procedure breaches record-keeping and honesty standards. Practising certificates, indemnity insurance and CPD are separate regulatory obligations that do not speak to the accuracy of clinical entries. A therapist is accountable for their own records regardless of a manager's instruction.

Question 28Professional, legal and ethical standards

A dental therapist is asked to provide a written report to a patient's employer about the patient's oral health as part of a pre-employment assessment. The patient has not been told the purpose of the assessment. What is the most appropriate course of action?

  1. Provide only a brief summary so that less personal information is disclosed
  2. Decline to provide any report and refer the patient to a dentist
  3. Provide the report because the employer arranged and paid for the assessment
  4. Obtain the patient's informed consent to the disclosure after explaining who will receive the information and why Correct answer.

Explanation

Health information may be disclosed to a third party such as an employer only with the patient's informed consent, which requires the patient to understand the purpose, recipients and consequences of disclosure. The identity of the person paying for an assessment does not create a right to the clinical information. Once consent is properly obtained, the therapist can provide an appropriate report within their scope.

Question 29Professional, legal and ethical standards

A dental therapist is the only clinician available when a child presents with facial swelling and difficulty swallowing. Which action best reflects the professional standard of working within competence while managing risk?

  1. Send the child home with advice to return if the swelling worsens
  2. Attempt definitive treatment of the swelling to avoid delay for the family
  3. Recognise the emergency, provide immediate first response within scope, and arrange urgent referral or escalation Correct answer.
  4. Wait until a dentist is next scheduled to review the child

Explanation

A therapist must recognise situations beyond their competence and act to protect the patient, which includes providing immediate within-scope first response and urgently escalating. Difficulty swallowing with facial swelling suggests a serious spreading infection requiring prompt medical or specialist care. Delaying or attempting treatment beyond scope exposes the patient to harm.

Question 30Professional, legal and ethical standards

A dental therapist is asked to take part in a research project that will use identifying clinical photographs of children treated in a school service. Which arrangement best meets ethical and privacy obligations?

  1. Use the photographs because treatment was publicly funded and the images support service improvement
  2. Rely on a general consent signed at the start of the school year for all future uses
  3. De-identify the images after publication rather than before use
  4. Obtain informed consent from a parent or guardian for the specific use, with child assent where appropriate, and ensure ethics approval Correct answer.

Explanation

Using identifiable health information for research requires specific informed consent from a guardian for children, assent where the child can give it, and ethics committee approval. Consent must be specific to the purpose rather than a broad blanket authorisation. De-identification must occur before use, not after publication.

Question 31Infection prevention and control

Under standard precautions, which single measure is required for every patient regardless of their known infectious status?

  1. Disinfecting the whole surgery with formaldehyde nightly
  2. Wearing a sterile gown for all routine examinations
  3. Screening every patient with a rapid HIV test before treatment
  4. Hand hygiene before and after every patient contact Correct answer.

Explanation

Standard precautions apply to all patients because infectious status is often unknown or undisclosed. Hand hygiene at the point of care is the core measure that reduces cross-contamination between the dental therapist and each patient. Other measures are applied based on the anticipated exposure risk, not routinely for every contact.

Question 32Infection prevention and control

A dental therapist is about to remove visible blood from an instrument tray. Which sequence best reflects correct reprocessing practice?

  1. Wipe with alcohol swabs, then use directly on the next patient
  2. Clean with detergent and water, then sterilise by autoclave Correct answer.
  3. Rinse in disinfectant, then store dry in a drawer
  4. Soak in glutaraldehyde overnight, then rinse under tap water

Explanation

Effective reprocessing requires physical cleaning to remove organic matter before sterilisation, because residual blood shields microorganisms from steam. Cleaning followed by autoclaving achieves sterilisation of critical items. Disinfection alone or alcohol wiping does not reliably sterilise instruments that penetrate tissue.

Question 33Infection prevention and control

Which statement correctly describes the classification of a dental mouth mirror used to inspect the oral cavity?

  1. It is a non-critical item that needs no reprocessing between patients
  2. It is a semi-critical item requiring high-level disinfection at minimum Correct answer.
  3. It is a critical item because it contacts mucous membranes
  4. It is a non-critical item requiring only low-level disinfection

Explanation

Items contacting intact mucous membranes but not penetrating tissue are semi-critical and require at least high-level disinfection, with sterilisation preferred where heat-tolerant. Mouth mirrors contact oral mucosa and are therefore semi-critical. Non-critical items contact only intact skin.

Question 34Infection prevention and control

During a procedure the dental therapist sustains a needlestick injury from a contaminated local anaesthetic needle. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

  1. Scrub the puncture with a stiff brush and apply alcohol repeatedly
  2. Wash the wound with soap and water, then report and seek post-exposure assessment Correct answer.
  3. Seal the wound with a waterproof dressing and finish the appointment first
  4. Squeeze the wound firmly to express blood and apply a tourniquet

Explanation

Immediate management of a sharps injury is gentle washing with soap and water, followed by prompt reporting and assessment for post-exposure prophylaxis. Squeezing or scrubbing the wound can increase tissue damage and is not recommended. Reporting and assessment must not be delayed until the appointment ends.

Question 35Infection prevention and control

Which hand-hygiene product is appropriate for routine social handwashing when hands are not visibly soiled but the therapist wants antimicrobial action?

  1. Plain water alone
  2. A surgical scrub solution applied without friction
  3. A chlorhexidine scrub used with a nailbrush every time
  4. An alcohol-based hand rub applied to dry hands Correct answer.

Explanation

Alcohol-based hand rub is suitable for routine hand hygiene when hands are visibly clean, provided it is applied to dry hands and rubbed until dry. It provides rapid antimicrobial action and is less damaging to skin than repeated scrubbing. Visible soil or blood requires soap and water washing first.

Question 36Infection prevention and control

What is the correct procedure for a single-use local anaesthetic cartridge after it has been used on a patient?

  1. Discard it into a sharps container without recapping or reusing Correct answer.
  2. Rinse it and place it in general waste
  3. Store it in a sealed bag for a week and then reuse
  4. Return it to the fridge for reuse with the same patient later

Explanation

Cartridges are single-use items and must be discarded immediately after use into a rigid sharps container. Reuse, even for the same patient, risks cross-contamination and is not acceptable practice. Recapping or handling increases the risk of needlestick injury.

Question 37Infection prevention and control

A dental therapist notices that the ultrasonic scaler water line has not been flushed between patients. Which rationale best explains why this is a breach of infection control?

  1. The unit's warranty is voided without daily flushing
  2. The scaler tip becomes blunt without flushing
  3. The water pressure drops and slows the procedure
  4. The waterline can harbour biofilm that is aerosolised into the treatment field Correct answer.

Explanation

Dental unit waterlines support biofilm formation, and flushing reduces the microbial load released as aerosol during scaling. Unflushed lines increase the risk of exposure of the therapist and patient to waterborne microorganisms. Tip wear, pressure and warranty are not infection control rationales.

Question 38Infection prevention and control

Which action best describes correct use of personal protective equipment during an aerosol-generating scaling procedure?

  1. Wear a fit-checked respirator, eye protection, gown and gloves Correct answer.
  2. Wear a cloth mask and remove it between patients while still gloved
  3. Wear eye protection only when the patient reports a cough
  4. Wear gloves only, since the scaler is a closed system

Explanation

Aerosol-generating procedures require respiratory protection with a fit-checked respirator, plus eye protection, a gown and gloves. Gloves alone leave the mucosa and respiratory tract unprotected. PPE should be removed in the correct sequence and hand hygiene performed after removal.

Question 39Infection prevention and control

A used impression is being sent to a dental laboratory. What is the expected infection control requirement?

  1. Rinse it in running water only and dispatch immediately
  2. Disinfect the impression according to the manufacturer's compatible method before transport Correct answer.
  3. Wrap it in a paper towel soaked in bleach
  4. Send it unwashed so the laboratory can assess the detail

Explanation

Impressions carry saliva and blood and must be disinfected with a method compatible with the impression material before being sent to the laboratory. This protects laboratory staff while preserving dimensional accuracy. Rinsing alone is insufficient, and bleach can damage the impression.

Question 40Infection prevention and control

Which statement best describes the correct management of a blood-contaminated surface in the surgery after a procedure?

  1. Wipe once with a dry paper towel and leave the surface to air
  2. Clean the surface with detergent, then apply a disinfectant with the correct contact time Correct answer.
  3. Cover the blood with a dry gauze and continue using the surface
  4. Spray disinfectant over visible blood and wipe immediately

Explanation

Surfaces contaminated with blood require cleaning to remove organic matter, followed by a disinfectant applied for its specified contact time. Cleaning first allows the disinfectant to act effectively. Wiping disinfectant off immediately prevents the required contact time.

Question 41Infection prevention and control

A dental therapist is preparing a sterile field for a minor surgical procedure. Which practice best maintains sterility of the field?

  1. Blow on the field to remove dust before use
  2. Keep sterile items within the field and handle them only with sterile instruments Correct answer.
  3. Reach across the sterile field with bare hands to reposition items
  4. Place the sterile pack on a wet bench surface

Explanation

A sterile field remains sterile only if items are handled with sterile instruments and contact with non-sterile surfaces or hands is avoided. Reaching over the field with bare hands or placing it on a wet surface causes contamination. Moisture can wick microorganisms through the pack.

Question 42Infection prevention and control

Which statement accurately describes the role of vaccination for a dental therapist in infection prevention?

  1. Vaccination guarantees immunity so PPE can be omitted
  2. Vaccination is only required for staff who handle sharps daily
  3. Vaccination removes the need for hand hygiene with infectious patients
  4. Vaccination protects the worker and reduces transmission risk but does not replace standard precautions Correct answer.

Explanation

Immunisation, such as against hepatitis B, protects the healthcare worker and helps reduce transmission, but it is an adjunct to standard precautions. Hand hygiene, PPE and safe sharps handling remain essential. No vaccine provides absolute protection against all bloodborne pathogens.

Question 43Infection prevention and control

A sharps container in the surgery is three-quarters full. What is the correct action?

  1. Seal and replace the container before it reaches the fill line Correct answer.
  2. Continue filling until it is completely full and then seal it
  3. Press the contents down to make room for more sharps
  4. Transfer the contents into a larger container by hand

Explanation

Sharps containers should be sealed and replaced before reaching the fill line, typically when about three-quarters full, to prevent overfilling and injury. Compressing or transferring contents by hand creates serious needlestick risk. Containers must be closed securely before disposal.

Question 44Infection prevention and control

A patient discloses that they have a respiratory infection with coughing. How should the dental therapist adjust infection control measures?

  1. Proceed normally without any change to PPE
  2. Ask the patient to remove their mask and cough freely
  3. Cancel all future appointments for the patient permanently
  4. Defer elective treatment if possible and use enhanced respiratory protection if treatment proceeds Correct answer.

Explanation

For a patient with an active respiratory infection, elective treatment may be deferred to reduce transmission, and if treatment is necessary, enhanced respiratory protection and source control are appropriate. Routine PPE may not be adequate for aerosol-generating procedures. Permanent cancellation is not justified.

Question 45Infection prevention and control

Which practice is correct for managing a dental unit that has been idle overnight before the first patient?

  1. Disinfect the handpiece exterior only and start treatment
  2. Use the unit immediately to save water
  3. Drain the entire water reservoir into the sink by hand
  4. Flush the waterlines and run the handpieces for a defined period before use Correct answer.

Explanation

After periods of inactivity, waterlines and handpiece tubing can accumulate microorganisms, so a defined flush is performed before the first patient. This reduces the microbial load delivered to the patient. Exterior disinfection alone does not address internal waterline contamination.

Question 46Infection prevention and control

Which statement best describes how bloodborne pathogen transmission risk differs between a splash to intact skin and a splash to the conjunctiva?

  1. Neither exposure requires reporting unless blood is visible
  2. Mucous membrane exposure carries higher risk because the conjunctiva lacks the skin's protective barrier Correct answer.
  3. Intact skin exposure carries higher risk because it is more exposed
  4. Both carry identical risk because the fluid is the same

Explanation

Intact skin provides a barrier that reduces transmission, whereas mucous membranes such as the conjunctiva are more permeable and provide a recognised route for bloodborne pathogen entry. Mucosal splashes therefore warrant prompt irrigation and exposure assessment. All significant exposures should be reported.

Question 47Infection prevention and control

A dental therapist must reprocess a heat-sensitive semi-critical item. Which approach is most appropriate?

  1. High-level chemical disinfection using a validated product with correct concentration and contact time Correct answer.
  2. Rinsing in cold water and drying with a cloth towel
  3. Boiling in water for two minutes
  4. Wiping with a low-level detergent wipe only

Explanation

Heat-sensitive semi-critical items require high-level disinfection with a validated chemical product used at the correct concentration and contact time. Boiling is not a validated sterilisation method and may damage heat-sensitive items. Low-level wiping does not achieve the required level of microbial kill.

Question 48Infection prevention and control

Which statement best explains why clinical waste and general waste must be segregated at the point of generation?

  1. General waste can include blood-stained gauze if it is small
  2. Segregation is only needed at the end of the day when bins are emptied
  3. Segregation at source prevents contaminated waste entering the general stream and reduces handling risk Correct answer.
  4. Mixing waste is acceptable if the bag is double-layered

Explanation

Waste should be segregated where it is generated so that contaminated items do not enter the general waste stream. This protects cleaning staff and the public and meets waste management requirements. Blood-stained materials are clinical waste regardless of size.

Question 49Infection prevention and control

A dental therapist is deciding whether to wear gloves while writing clinical notes at the desk after treating a patient. What is the correct principle?

  1. Wear gloves only on the dominant hand
  2. Change gloves only at the end of the session
  3. Keep gloves on to avoid interrupting workflow
  4. Remove gloves and perform hand hygiene before touching notes or equipment Correct answer.

Explanation

Gloves are removed and hand hygiene performed before touching items such as notes, keyboards or telephones, because gloves used in patient care are contaminated. This prevents transfer of microorganisms to the environment. Gloves are not a substitute for hand hygiene.

Question 50Infection prevention and control

Which situation most clearly requires the dental therapist to change gloves during a single patient's appointment?

  1. Moving from a contaminated intraoral task to handling a clean item in a drawer Correct answer.
  2. Taking a brief pause without touching anything while still gloved
  3. Continuing the same intraoral procedure without interruption
  4. Adjusting the patient's bib before starting treatment

Explanation

After a contaminated intraoral task, remove gloves and perform hand hygiene before handling clean drawer contents. Before resuming intraoral care, perform hand hygiene and don fresh gloves. This prevents contaminated gloves from transferring microorganisms to clean items or surfaces.