I85PREP
⌘ K
OR Dental Jurisprudence study materials
OR Dental Jurisprudence study resources

OR Dental Jurisprudence practice questions

One question at a time. Build your OR Dental Jurisprudence understanding.

First 50 of 200 questions. Each one lists the choices, the correct answer, and an explanation. The checker at the top of this page saves progress in this browser when it is available.

Continue in the practice tool above to load more questions, 50 at a time.

Question 1Scope of Practice

Under the Oregon Dental Practice Act, which activity may a licensed dentist delegate to an expanded practice dental hygienist working in a school-based program without prior patient examination by the dentist?

  1. Administering local anesthesia by injection
  2. Applying fluoride varnish and sealants Correct answer.
  3. Performing a complete denture adjustment
  4. Extracting a mobile primary tooth

Explanation

Oregon allows expanded practice dental hygienists to provide preventive services such as fluoride varnish and sealants in settings like schools under collaborative agreements, without the dentist first examining the patient. Restorative, surgical, and anesthetic procedures require dentist involvement or direct supervision.

Question 2Scope of Practice

A dentist's license in Oregon is renewed through which licensing body?

  1. Oregon Health Authority
  2. Oregon Board of Pharmacy
  3. Oregon Medical Board
  4. Oregon Board of Dentistry Correct answer.

Explanation

The Oregon Board of Dentistry is the regulatory body that licenses and renews dentists and dental hygienists in the state. It administers the Dental Practice Act and its administrative rules.

Question 3Scope of Practice

An Oregon dentist wishes to have a dental assistant place and carve a direct composite restoration. Under the Dental Practice Act, this task is best characterized as:

  1. Permitted for a dental assistant only in a public health setting
  2. Permitted only for an expanded function dental assistant with the required certification and dentist supervision Correct answer.
  3. Prohibited for all dental auxiliaries under any circumstance
  4. Permitted for any certified dental assistant without additional training

Explanation

Oregon permits expanded function dental assistants who hold the appropriate certification to place and carve restorations under dentist supervision. Basic certified assistants may perform only the delegated functions listed in the rules.

Question 4Scope of Practice

Which procedure is within the scope of practice of an Oregon licensed dentist but outside the scope of a dental hygienist acting independently?

  1. Diagnosis and treatment planning for a crown Correct answer.
  2. Oral prophylaxis
  3. Periodontal scaling and root planing
  4. Topical fluoride application

Explanation

Diagnosis and treatment planning are reserved to the licensed dentist under the Dental Practice Act. Hygienists provide preventive and periodontal therapy services but do not independently diagnose conditions or prescribe restorative treatment.

Question 5Scope of Practice

A patient presents to an Oregon dental office with a suspected oral malignancy. What is the dentist's obligation regarding scope of practice?

  1. Evaluate and refer as appropriate, since oral examination and referral are within dental practice Correct answer.
  2. Perform a biopsy only if the patient requests it in writing
  3. Defer entirely to the patient's primary care physician without any oral assessment
  4. Refer immediately without recording findings, since cancer is outside dental practice

Explanation

Oral examination, recognition of abnormalities, and appropriate referral are within the dentist's scope of practice. A dentist is not required to treat the malignancy but must evaluate and refer appropriately.

Question 6Scope of Practice

Under Oregon rules, which of the following best describes the practice of dentistry?

  1. Any service billed to a dental insurance plan
  2. Only surgical procedures involving the teeth and gums
  3. The evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of conditions of the oral cavity and associated structures Correct answer.
  4. Only procedures performed in a fully equipped dental operatory

Explanation

The statutory definition of dentistry covers evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of oral and associated conditions, regardless of setting. It is not limited to surgery or to a particular facility.

Question 7Scope of Practice

An Oregon dentist wants to provide teledentistry consultations to patients in rural areas. Which statement reflects the scope rules?

  1. Teledentistry is allowed only for orthodontic patients
  2. Teledentistry is prohibited because a physical examination is always required
  3. Teledentistry is permitted within the dentist's scope, subject to the same standard of care and recordkeeping Correct answer.
  4. Teledentistry may be performed by any staff member without dentist involvement

Explanation

Oregon recognizes teledentistry as a mode of delivering dental services within the provider's existing scope, subject to the same standard of care and documentation requirements. It does not create new authority or remove existing limits.

Question 8Scope of Practice

Which of the following is an example of a procedure that a dental hygienist in Oregon may perform under general supervision without the dentist present?

  1. Placement of a permanent restoration
  2. Oral prophylaxis and periodontal maintenance Correct answer.
  3. Surgical extraction of a third molar
  4. Administration of nitrous oxide sedation

Explanation

Oregon allows hygienists to perform prophylactic and periodontal maintenance services under general supervision, meaning the dentist has authorized the service but need not be physically present. Sedation and surgical procedures are not hygiene functions.

Question 9Scope of Practice

A certified dental assistant in Oregon is asked to take a final impression for a crown. Which factor determines whether this is permissible?

  1. Whether the office is in a rural county
  2. Whether the patient consents in writing
  3. Whether the assistant is properly trained for the task and the dentist reviews the impression Correct answer.
  4. Whether the impression material is irreversible hydrocolloid

Explanation

Oregon permits a properly trained dental assistant to take a final traditional or digital impression, with the dentist responsible for reviewing the impression or scan. A task-specific expanded-function certificate is not required for this task. Patient consent, county location, and material choice do not replace the training and review requirements.

Question 10Scope of Practice

Which statement about the scope of practice of an Oregon dentist regarding prescription of controlled substances is accurate?

  1. Dentists have no prescribing authority
  2. Dentists may prescribe any controlled substance for any purpose without restriction
  3. Dentists may prescribe only antibiotics
  4. Dentists may prescribe within their dental scope and consistent with DEA and state requirements Correct answer.

Explanation

Dentists may prescribe medications, including controlled substances, within their professional scope and consistent with federal DEA registration and Oregon prescription monitoring requirements. Prescribing outside dental purposes exceeds that scope.

Question 11Scope of Practice

An Oregon dental hygienist holds a local anesthesia permit. Which condition must be met for the hygienist to administer local anesthesia?

  1. The permit is current and the dentist has authorized the service per supervision rules Correct answer.
  2. The dentist must be physically present in the operatory at all times
  3. The hygienist must also hold a restorative function certificate
  4. The patient must sign a separate anesthesia waiver

Explanation

Hygienists with a valid local anesthesia permit may administer anesthesia when the supervising dentist has authorized the service consistent with the supervision level in rule. A restorative certificate is unrelated to anesthesia authority.

Question 12Scope of Practice

Which of the following services falls outside the scope of dental practice and would require referral to another licensed professional?

  1. Placement of a dental implant
  2. Surgical repair of a femoral fracture Correct answer.
  3. Root canal therapy on a molar
  4. Fabrication of a removable partial denture

Explanation

Oregon's dental scope includes treatment within the oral cavity, maxillofacial region, and adjacent structures. A femoral fracture involves the thigh bone and falls outside that scope, requiring care by an appropriately licensed professional. Implant placement, molar root canal therapy, and removable partial dentures are dental services.

Question 13Scope of Practice

What is the primary purpose of the Oregon Dental Practice Act?

  1. To determine insurance reimbursement rates
  2. To set fee schedules for dental services
  3. To establish advertising guidelines for dental products
  4. To protect the public by regulating the practice of dentistry and licensure Correct answer.

Explanation

The Dental Practice Act exists to protect public health, safety, and welfare by regulating who may practice dentistry and how. It establishes licensure, scope, and discipline rather than fees or reimbursement.

Question 14Scope of Practice

An Oregon dentist delegates coronal polishing to a dental assistant. Which requirement applies?

  1. The assistant must be certified and the task must be among delegated functions permitted by rule Correct answer.
  2. The assistant must hold a dental hygiene license
  3. The dentist must be out of the office
  4. The patient must be a minor

Explanation

Coronal polishing is among the functions Oregon permits for certified dental assistants when delegated by the dentist. It does not require a hygiene license, and supervision requirements are defined in rule.

Question 15Scope of Practice

A dentist in Oregon is asked to supervise a dental hygienist's work in a public health clinic under a collaborative agreement. Which statement is correct?

  1. The arrangement must comply with statutory supervision and agreement requirements Correct answer.
  2. The dentist assumes no responsibility for the hygienist's care
  3. Collaborative agreements eliminate all dentist oversight
  4. The hygienist may then perform any dental procedure

Explanation

Collaborative or public health arrangements still operate within statutory supervision and agreement requirements. The dentist retains professional responsibility for delegated care and the hygienist remains limited to hygiene scope.

Question 16Scope of Practice

Which action would constitute unlicensed practice of dentistry in Oregon?

  1. A dentist providing emergency care during a declared disaster
  2. A certified assistant taking a radiograph under delegation
  3. A hygienist performing prophylaxis under supervision
  4. An unlicensed person extracting a tooth for payment Correct answer.

Explanation

Performing a surgical procedure such as extraction for compensation without a license constitutes unlicensed practice. Delegated radiographs and supervised hygiene are authorized, and emergency provisions may permit limited good-faith assistance.

Question 17Scope of Practice

Under Oregon rules, a dentist's scope includes which of the following regarding the temporomandibular joint?

  1. Only imaging, with no clinical management
  2. Nothing, because the TMJ is outside dental practice
  3. Diagnosis and management, including referral to specialists when indicated Correct answer.
  4. Only surgical replacement of the joint

Explanation

Dentists evaluate and manage temporomandibular disorders within their scope, including conservative therapy and referral to appropriate specialists. Surgical joint replacement is beyond routine dental practice.

Question 18Scope of Practice

Which statement best describes the supervision category of 'direct supervision' in Oregon dental practice?

  1. No dentist involvement is required
  2. The dentist has examined the patient and is physically present in the office during the procedure Correct answer.
  3. The dentist is reachable by phone only
  4. The dentist is in the office and available but need not evaluate the patient

Explanation

Direct supervision generally requires the dentist to have evaluated the patient and to be physically present in the office while the delegated procedure is performed. It is more stringent than general supervision.

Question 19Scope of Practice

An Oregon dentist employs a hygienist who wishes to administer nitrous oxide. Which requirement applies?

  1. No additional credential is needed
  2. The hygienist must hold a dental degree
  3. The hygienist must hold the specific certification or permit required by rule Correct answer.
  4. Only the dentist may administer nitrous oxide in any circumstance

Explanation

Administration of nitrous oxide by a hygienist requires the specific credential or permit authorized under Oregon rules. It is not an inherent part of the hygiene license.

Question 20Scope of Practice

Which of the following is the best example of a service within the scope of dental practice that also requires coordination with a physician?

  1. Management of a patient with a significant bleeding disorder undergoing oral surgery Correct answer.
  2. Routine prophylaxis
  3. Fluoride varnish application
  4. Sealant placement

Explanation

Patients with significant medical conditions such as bleeding disorders require medical consultation and coordination before oral surgery. The dental service remains within scope but demands interdisciplinary management.

Question 21Scope of Practice

What does 'scope of practice' mean for an Oregon licensed dentist?

  1. The range of services the licensee is legally authorized to perform Correct answer.
  2. The procedures taught in the dentist's dental school
  3. The services covered by a patient's insurance
  4. The set of procedures the dentist personally prefers

Explanation

Scope of practice refers to the legally authorized range of services defined by statute and board rules. Personal preference, insurance coverage, and education alone do not define legal scope.

Question 22Scope of Practice

An Oregon dentist plans to have a dental assistant perform a pulp vitality test. Under the delegation rules, this task is:

  1. Prohibited in all settings
  2. Permitted only for hygienists
  3. Permitted only if the assistant is certified for that specific function Correct answer.
  4. Always permitted for any assistant

Explanation

Diagnostic testing such as pulp vitality testing may be delegated only to assistants holding the specific expanded function certification. General certification does not automatically authorize it.

Question 23Scope of Practice

Which of the following statements about a dentist's obligation to report impaired colleagues in Oregon is most accurate?

  1. Reporting is optional and left to personal discretion
  2. Dentists must report impaired licensees as required by law and board rules Correct answer.
  3. Reporting is prohibited by confidentiality
  4. Only the impaired dentist's employer may report

Explanation

Oregon law and board rules impose a duty on licensees to report impairment or certain misconduct of other licensees. Confidentiality does not override this mandated reporting obligation.

Question 24Scope of Practice

An Oregon dentist is asked to perform a procedure the dentist has never been trained to perform but which is within the legal scope of dentistry. What is the appropriate response?

  1. Perform it only after obtaining appropriate training and competence, or refer Correct answer.
  2. Delegate it to an unlicensed assistant
  3. Refuse to refer the patient anywhere
  4. Perform it because it is legally within scope

Explanation

Legal scope defines what a licensee may do, but competence and training determine what a dentist should do. A dentist should obtain appropriate education or refer the patient rather than practice beyond competence.

Question 25Scope of Practice

Which of the following best describes the role of the Oregon Board of Dentistry in scope-of-practice matters?

  1. It adopts administrative rules interpreting and enforcing the Dental Practice Act Correct answer.
  2. It sets insurance reimbursement for procedures
  3. It has no authority over delegation
  4. It performs all dental procedures for the public

Explanation

The Board adopts administrative rules that interpret and enforce the Dental Practice Act, including delegation and supervision standards. It does not set reimbursement or provide clinical care.

Question 26Scope of Practice

An Oregon dentist delegates a task to an expanded practice dental hygienist. Which element most directly determines whether the delegation is lawful?

  1. Whether the dentist personally performed the same task at least once during the past year
  2. Whether the task is expressly authorized in the Dental Practice Act or board rules and falls within the delegate's own license or permit Correct answer.
  3. Whether the patient signed a separate consent form naming the hygienist
  4. Whether the office carries a policy that describes the task as routine

Explanation

Delegation in Oregon rests on two linked questions: the task must be within the statutory and rule-based scope of the delegating dentist, and the person receiving it must be licensed, certified, or permitted to perform it. A dentist may not delegate a task the dentist is not authorized to perform, nor may a delegate exceed the delegate's own authorized scope.

Question 27Scope of Practice

Which statement correctly describes the general supervision category as used in Oregon dental practice?

  1. The dentist must be physically present in the operatory during the procedure
  2. Supervision is provided by another hygienist designated as a lead
  3. The dentist has authorized the procedure but need not be physically present in the office at the time Correct answer.
  4. The dentist must examine the patient immediately after every procedure

Explanation

General supervision means the dentist has authorized the procedure for a patient of record but is not required to be physically present when it is performed. It is distinguished from direct supervision, which requires the dentist to be on the premises and available. The authorization, not physical presence, is the defining feature.

Question 28Scope of Practice

An Oregon dentist is asked to provide care that is within the statutory definition of dentistry but for which the dentist completed no formal training. What is the most accurate statement about the dentist's scope?

  1. The dentist may perform it after notifying the board in writing within 30 days
  2. Scope is bounded by competence as well as statute, so the dentist should refer or obtain training before performing it Correct answer.
  3. The dentist may perform it only if no specialist is available within the county
  4. The statutory definition alone authorizes the dentist to perform any listed procedure regardless of training

Explanation

Legal scope and personal competence are separate limits, and both must be satisfied. A license defines the outer boundary of practice but does not certify competence in every procedure listed. Performing beyond one's training can support a negligence or unprofessional conduct finding even when the procedure is nominally within scope.

Question 29Scope of Practice

Which individual is authorized to prescribe a controlled substance in the course of Oregon dental practice?

  1. A dentist with an active Oregon license and current DEA registration Correct answer.
  2. A dental hygienist holding a local anesthesia permit
  3. An expanded practice dental hygienist working in a public health setting
  4. A certified dental assistant with 5 years of chairside experience

Explanation

Prescribing authority follows the dentist license and requires the applicable federal registration and any state controlled-substance registration. Assistants and hygienists, including those with expanded permits, do not hold prescriptive authority in Oregon.

Question 30Scope of Practice

An Oregon dentist wants to have a dental assistant place a restorative material after the dentist prepares the tooth. Which consideration governs whether this delegation is permissible?

  1. Whether the dentist remains in the building at any point that day
  2. Whether the specific restorative function is authorized for assistants by statute or board rule and the required supervision level is met Correct answer.
  3. Whether the assistant has a current CPR card
  4. Whether the patient requests that the assistant perform the step

Explanation

Delegable functions for dental assistants are set by statute and board rule, and each carries a specified level of supervision. The delegation is lawful only if the function appears in the authorized list and the required supervision is in place. CPR certification and patient preference do not create delegation authority.

Question 31Scope of Practice

An Oregon hygienist with a local anesthesia permit prepares to administer an injection. Which condition is central to lawful administration?

  1. The requirements of the permit, including the applicable supervision and any required dentist involvement, must be satisfied Correct answer.
  2. The patient must be referred by another dentist
  3. The hygienist must hold a separate DEA registration
  4. The supervising dentist must have administered local anesthesia to that patient previously

Explanation

Local anesthesia administration by a hygienist depends on holding the permit and complying with the supervision and protocol requirements attached to it. Those requirements define when and how the permit may be used. Neither a referral nor a prior injection by the dentist is the operative condition.

Question 32Scope of Practice

Which situation most clearly falls outside the scope of dental practice and calls for referral to another licensed professional?

  1. Fabrication of a removable partial denture framework
  2. Evaluation of a patient's occlusion before orthodontic treatment
  3. Surgical treatment of a mandibular fracture requiring open reduction Correct answer.
  4. Taking a panoramic radiograph for implant planning

Explanation

Dentistry includes diagnosis and treatment of oral conditions, but open reduction of a jaw fracture is surgical management that falls to oral and maxillofacial surgery or another appropriate surgical service. Prosthodontic, occlusal, and radiographic services are core dental functions.

Question 33Scope of Practice

An Oregon dentist is considering delegating a task that board rules do not mention at all. What is the most defensible interpretation?

  1. Silence means the task may be delegated if the patient consents in writing
  2. Silence in the rules means the task may be delegated to any trained employee
  3. A task not authorized for delegation remains the dentist's responsibility to perform personally Correct answer.
  4. Silence means the task is permitted only in emergencies

Explanation

Delegation authority in Oregon is affirmative: functions must be authorized for the specific category of auxiliary. Where the rules are silent, no delegation authority exists, so the task stays with the dentist. Emergency exceptions and patient consent do not fill that gap.

Question 34Scope of Practice

Which of the following best describes the scope of practice of an Oregon dentist regarding the prescription of controlled substances?

  1. A dentist may prescribe controlled substances only with written board approval for each patient
  2. A dentist may prescribe controlled substances within the course of dental practice when properly registered Correct answer.
  3. A dentist may prescribe any controlled substance for any purpose once licensed
  4. A dentist may prescribe only antibiotics and analgesics

Explanation

Prescribing is part of dental practice when it is connected to dental treatment and the dentist holds the required registrations. The authority is not limited to a fixed drug list, nor does it require case-by-case board approval.

Question 35Scope of Practice

A dentist in Oregon asks whether a dental hygienist may provide services in a school-based program without the dentist being present. Which factor is most relevant?

  1. Whether the dentist visits the site at least once per month
  2. Whether the hygienist graduated from an Oregon program
  3. Whether the school has a written policy favoring dental care
  4. Whether the program operates under an authorized arrangement such as a collaborative agreement or public health exception Correct answer.

Explanation

Hygienists may practice in certain public health and collaborative settings without the dentist on site, but only through arrangements the statutes and rules recognize. The setting must fit an authorized pathway and comply with its conditions. School policy and the hygienist's school of graduation do not create that authority.

Question 36Scope of Practice

Which action would most likely be treated as unlicensed practice of dentistry in Oregon?

  1. An unlicensed person fitting and selling a custom denture directly to a patient Correct answer.
  2. A hygienist performing a prophylaxis under general supervision
  3. A dentist providing a teledentistry consultation to an established patient
  4. A dental assistant exposing a radiograph under the required supervision

Explanation

Making and fitting a prosthesis for a patient is part of the practice of dentistry, so doing so without a license constitutes unlicensed practice. The other options describe services performed by licensed or permitted individuals within authorized supervision arrangements.

Question 37Scope of Practice

An Oregon dentist is treating a patient with temporomandibular joint pain. Which statement about the dentist's scope is most accurate?

  1. TMJ evaluation and conservative management are within dental practice, while surgical intervention may require referral Correct answer.
  2. A dentist may perform any TMJ surgery without additional training
  3. TMJ disorders are exclusively medical and outside dental practice
  4. TMJ care requires a separate specialty license in all cases

Explanation

Dentistry encompasses evaluation and conservative management of temporomandibular disorders. More invasive surgical management may exceed a general dentist's competence and be referred to an appropriate specialist. The scope question turns on the specific service and the dentist's training, not a blanket exclusion.

Question 38Scope of Practice

Which statement best captures the role of the Oregon Board of Dentistry in scope-of-practice matters?

  1. The board may expand the statutory scope of practice at its discretion
  2. The board's role is limited to administering licensure examinations
  3. The board administers and interprets the Dental Practice Act through rules, licensing, and discipline Correct answer.
  4. The board sets the statutory definition of dentistry without legislative involvement

Explanation

The legislature sets the statutory framework, and the board implements it through rules, licensure, and enforcement. The board interprets and applies the act but cannot unilaterally enlarge the statutory scope. Its functions extend well beyond examination administration.

Question 39Scope of Practice

A dentist in Oregon plans to treat a patient using a technique the dentist has never used but that is within the statutory definition of dentistry. Which approach best reflects the scope and competence rules?

  1. Obtain appropriate training or refer the patient before performing the technique Correct answer.
  2. Ask an assistant to perform the technique instead
  3. Proceed, because the statutory definition controls regardless of training
  4. Proceed, because the patient can waive any training concern in writing

Explanation

A license defines the outer boundary of practice, but competence remains a separate requirement, so a dentist should obtain training or refer before undertaking an unfamiliar technique. Neither statutory inclusion nor patient waiver removes the competence obligation. Delegating to an assistant would not cure the gap and may itself be unauthorized.

Question 40Scope of Practice

An Oregon dentist wants to expand the services offered at the practice to include chairside orthodontic aligner therapy. Which principle governs whether this service falls within the dentist's scope of practice?

  1. The service is permitted only if a specialist in orthodontics supervises the dentist during the first several cases.
  2. The service is permitted if it falls within the statutory definition of dentistry and the dentist is competent through training and experience to perform it. Correct answer.
  3. The service is permitted only if the Oregon Board of Dentistry has issued a specific rule naming aligner therapy as an approved procedure.
  4. The service is permitted only after the dentist completes a board-approved continuing education course and notifies the board in writing.

Explanation

Oregon's scope of practice is defined by statute, and a licensed dentist may perform any procedure that falls within the statutory definition of dentistry. The limiting principle is competence: the dentist must have the training and experience to perform the service safely, and must refer when that competence is lacking. Board rules do not need to name each procedure individually for it to be within scope.

Question 41Licensure and Renewal

Under the Oregon Dental Practice Act, which body has the statutory authority to adopt rules governing the licensing of dentists and dental hygienists?

  1. The Oregon Health Authority
  2. The Oregon Board of Dentistry Correct answer.
  3. The Oregon Medical Board
  4. The Oregon Dental Association

Explanation

The Oregon Dental Practice Act delegates rulemaking and licensing authority for dentistry and dental hygiene to the Oregon Board of Dentistry. The other entities regulate different areas or are professional associations without licensing power.

Question 42Licensure and Renewal

A dentist licensed in Oregon wishes to renew an active license. Which requirement must generally be satisfied as part of the renewal process?

  1. Re-taking the clinical licensing examination
  2. Sponsorship by a currently licensed Oregon dentist
  3. Submission of a new fingerprint card each year
  4. Completion of the required continuing education hours during the renewal cycle Correct answer.

Explanation

Oregon requires licensees to complete a specified number of continuing education hours each renewal cycle before an active license can be renewed. Re-examination and annual fingerprinting are not routine renewal conditions.

Question 43Licensure and Renewal

Which of the following best describes the continuing education reporting obligation of an Oregon dental licensee at renewal?

  1. CE hours may be carried over without limit to future cycles
  2. CE must be completed entirely in person
  3. Licensees must retain documentation of completed CE and report compliance Correct answer.
  4. Only courses taken at Oregon Dental Association events count toward the requirement

Explanation

Licensees must maintain records of their continuing education and attest to completion at renewal; the Board may audit those records. Courses are not restricted to a single provider, carryover is limited, and in-person attendance is not universally required.

Question 44Licensure and Renewal

An Oregon dental license has lapsed because the licensee failed to renew for several years. Which statement reflects the usual consequence?

  1. The license remains valid indefinitely as long as the dentist practiced continuously
  2. Only a written warning is issued with no effect on practice authority
  3. The dentist must apply for reinstatement and satisfy current requirements Correct answer.
  4. The license automatically converts to a hygiene license

Explanation

Once a license lapses, the individual no longer holds active practice authority and must pursue reinstatement under Board rules, which may include fees, CE, and other conditions. A lapsed license does not stay valid through practice history alone.

Question 45Licensure and Renewal

Which of the following is a typical ground on which the Oregon Board of Dentistry may discipline a licensee?

  1. Joining a professional association
  2. Practicing while impaired by alcohol or drugs Correct answer.
  3. Attending more CE than required
  4. Changing practice locations

Explanation

Impairment while practicing is a recognized ground for disciplinary action because it endangers patients. The other listed activities are lawful and unrelated to misconduct.

Question 46Licensure and Renewal

Which entity typically conducts the investigation that precedes a formal disciplinary complaint against an Oregon dentist?

  1. The Board's investigative process, often with an assigned investigator Correct answer.
  2. The Oregon State Police
  3. A peer review committee of the dental association
  4. The local circuit court

Explanation

Complaints are investigated through the Board's process, which may involve an assigned investigator gathering evidence before any formal action. Courts and police are not the primary investigative route for licensure complaints.

Question 47Licensure and Renewal

A dentist moves from another state to Oregon and holds a current, unencumbered license in that state. Which pathway most accurately describes how Oregon may grant licensure?

  1. Only after practicing for ten years in the other state
  2. Automatically, with no application or fee
  3. By reciprocity or licensure by credentials under Board rules, which may require meeting specified criteria Correct answer.
  4. Only after repeating an entire dental school curriculum

Explanation

Oregon provides licensure pathways for dentists licensed elsewhere, generally described as licensure by credentials or reciprocity, subject to Board criteria and application. It is never automatic and does not require repeating dental school.

Question 48Licensure and Renewal

Which statement correctly describes the scope of practice distinction between an Oregon dentist and an Oregon dental hygienist?

  1. A dentist's scope is broader and includes diagnosis and treatment planning, while hygienist scope is defined separately Correct answer.
  2. A hygienist may perform any procedure a dentist performs if supervised
  3. Both licenses authorize identical procedures
  4. A hygienist has a broader scope than a dentist

Explanation

The dentist license authorizes the full scope of dental practice, including diagnosis and treatment planning, while the hygienist license authorizes a defined and narrower set of services. The scopes are not identical.

Question 49Licensure and Renewal

An Oregon dental hygienist wishes to practice under a local anesthesia permit. What is generally required?

  1. Approval from the patient's physician for each appointment
  2. A separate dentist license
  3. Nothing beyond the basic hygiene license
  4. Additional education and a specific permit or certification as set by Board rule Correct answer.

Explanation

Expanded functions such as local anesthesia administration require additional training and a specific permit under Board rules. The basic hygiene license alone does not authorize it.

Question 50Licensure and Renewal

What is the primary purpose of the Oregon dental licensing examination requirement for initial licensure?

  1. To set the fee schedule for dental services
  2. To determine which insurance plans a dentist may accept
  3. To assign the dentist to a geographic region
  4. To verify that an applicant meets minimum competence standards for safe practice Correct answer.

Explanation

Licensing examinations exist to confirm that applicants possess the minimum competence needed to practice safely. They do not set fees, dictate insurance participation, or assign practice locations.