Free Dental Hygienist Jurisprudence Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Dental Hygienist Jurisprudence Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1When interpreting the Maine Board of Dental Practice's statutory role, what is its sole stated purpose?

   1. A. Promoting dental-school enrollment
   2. B. Protecting public health and welfare
   3. C. Representing licensed professionals
   4. D. Negotiating insurance reimbursement

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The statute creates the Board with "its sole purpose being to protect the public health and welfare."

   Reference: Title 32, §18321: Board creation; declaration of policy; compensation — 32 M.R.S. § 18321(1)

2. 2An otherwise qualified Maine dental-hygiene applicant has a conviction that the licensing agency may consider under Chapter 341. What effect does the record have by itself?

   1. A. It automatically bars the applicant from any dental license.
   2. B. It permits review but does not automatically bar licensure.
   3. C. It must be disregarded whenever the applicant reports it.
   4. D. It automatically converts the application into a restricted license.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Chapter 341 states that "the existence of such information shall not operate as an automatic bar to being licensed, registered or permitted to practice any profession, trade or occupation." The agency may consider a qualifying record, but the conviction alone does not dictate denial or a restricted license.

   Reference: 5 M.R.S. Chapter 341, Occupational License Disqualification on Basis of Criminal Record — 5 M.R.S. § 5301(1)

3. 3An independent-practice dental hygienist and a denturist plan to become shareholders with dentists in a Maine incorporated dental practice. Which ownership relationship complies with § 732(4)?

   1. A. Their combined interest is equal to the dentists' interest.
   2. B. Their combined interest is greater than the dentists' interest.
   3. C. Their combined interest is less than the dentists' interest.
   4. D. Their combined interest is unrestricted if both hold licenses.

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The statute says "At no time may one or more denturists or independent practice dental hygienists in sum have an equal or greater ownership interest in a dental practice than the dentist or dentists have in that practice." Equality or greater ownership therefore violates the ceiling; a combined smaller interest meets it.

   Reference: 13 M.R.S. § 732, Purposes — 13 M.R.S. § 732(4)

4. 4A patient claims that a Maine dental professional's care injured them. Which combination of findings meets the Health Security Act's definition of professional negligence?

   1. A. A care-standard deviation and probable causation of the claimed injury
   2. B. A care-standard deviation and damages, without a causal showing
   3. C. A deficient consent discussion and later dissatisfaction with the care
   4. D. A foreseeable treatment risk and proof of damages, without a deviation

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The Act requires acts or omissions that "constitute a deviation from the applicable standard of care" and that "proximately caused the injury complained of." Proof of damages, a consent dispute, or foreseeable risk cannot replace either required element in this statutory definition.

   Reference: 24 M.R.S. § 2502, Definitions — 24 M.R.S. § 2502(7)(A)

5. 5An applicant for initial dental hygienist licensure has been told that additional application materials are required. How long does the applicant have after notice to submit them before denial may result?

   1. A. 30 days
   2. B. 60 days
   3. C. 90 days
   4. D. 120 days

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The rule states: "An applicant has 90 days after being notified of any additional materials needed to complete the application to submit those materials to the Board." The 90-day period therefore controls.

   Reference: Rule Chapter 2 — 02-313 C.M.R. § 2-I(B)

6. 6A dentist wants a hygienist to gain supervised clinical experience administering local anesthesia before obtaining authority. Which Chapter 8 training registration applies?

   1. A. The dentist registers the hygienist under the dentist's license for direct supervision.
   2. B. The dentist registers the hygienist under the dentist's license for general supervision.
   3. C. The hygienist registers under their own license for direct supervision by the dentist.
   4. D. The hygienist registers under their own license for general supervision by the dentist.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Chapter 8 permits "A dentist may register a dentist or dental hygienist under that dentist’s license" for the specified clinical training "under direct supervision." General supervision describes a different practice condition after authority; the trainee does not self-register for this Chapter 8 route.

   Reference: 02-313 CMR Chapter 8: Initial and Renewal Registrations — Chapter 8, III

7. 7A Maine dental licensee directs an unwanted, nontherapeutic sexual gesture toward a person who is not a patient. Which relationship places that conduct within Chapter 10's sexual-misconduct definition?

   1. A. A dental colleague at the practice
   2. B. A patient's spouse visiting the practice
   3. C. An equipment vendor visiting the practice
   4. D. A former applicant for a practice job

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Chapter 10 defines sexual misconduct as an unwanted or offensive sexual act "which is neither diagnostic nor therapeutic, committed with respect to either a patient or a colleague." The person is expressly not a patient, so a dental colleague is the listed relationship that places this conduct within the Chapter 10 definition; the other visitors are not described as colleagues.

   Reference: 02-313 CMR Chapter 10: Sexual Misconduct — Chapter 10, Sexual Misconduct Defined

8. 8What maximum nitrous oxide concentration may an authorized Maine dental hygienist administer using induction by titration?

   1. A. 30 percent
   2. B. 40 percent
   3. C. 50 percent
   4. D. 60 percent

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Chapter 12 authorizes administration by titration "not to exceed 50% concentration under the direct supervision of a dentist."

   Reference: Rule Chapter 12 — 02-313 C.M.R. § 12-II(A)(2)

9. 9During a dentist's sedation procedure, the patient enters a deeper level than the provider is qualified to deliver. What must happen to the dental procedure under Chapter 14?

   1. A. Stop until another dentist accepts responsibility for continued sedation.
   2. B. Stop until the patient returns to the intended sedation level.
   3. C. Stop until the patient signs a revised sedation consent form.
   4. D. Stop until a recovery clinician is available in the practice.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Chapter 14 directs that "the dental procedure must stop until the patient returns to the intended level of sedation" when the provider is unqualified for the deeper level. Transfer, revised consent, or staffing does not itself satisfy the specified return-to-intended-level condition.

   Reference: 02-313 CMR Chapter 14: Sedation and General Anesthesia — Chapter 14, V(B)

10. 10A dental therapy program cannot obtain CODA accreditation because no CODA process is available. Which entity may conditionally approve the program under Maine Chapter 17?

    1. A. The Commission on Dental Accreditation
    2. B. The Maine Board of Dental Practice
    3. C. The United States Department of Education
    4. D. The Maine Department of Education

    Answer: B

    Explanation: Chapter 17 says a program "not accredited by CODA based on the unavailability of a CODA accreditation process may receive approval from the Board if:" the listed institutional and program conditions are met. The other entities have accreditation or education oversight roles in the rule, but the conditional approval described here is the Board's.

    Reference: 02-313 CMR Chapter 17: Board Approved Dental Therapy Program — Chapter 17, II, Dental Therapy Program not accredited by CODA