Free Dental Jurisprudence Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

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

1. 1A person offers to take impressions of patients' teeth and jaws without qualifying for an exemption. How does Washington law classify that activity?

   1. A. Dental laboratory support
   2. B. The practice of dentistry
   3. C. Unregulated cosmetic service
   4. D. General business management

   Answer: B

   Explanation: RCW 18.32.020 includes a person who offers or undertakes to "take impressions of the teeth or jaw" within the practice of dentistry.

   Reference: Chapter 18.32 RCW — RCW 18.32.020

2. 2A licensed hygienist will place an antimicrobial under the supervision required for the procedure. Whose order is required for this statutory exception to the hygienist's prescribing restriction?

   1. A. An order issued by a licensed dentist.
   2. B. An order issued by a dental therapist.
   3. C. An order issued by a licensed physician.
   4. D. An order issued by a licensed pharmacist.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: "except that a hygienist may place antimicrobials pursuant to the order of a licensed dentist and under the dentist's or dental therapist's required supervision;" The exception specifically names a dentist as the orderer. Dental therapists may supervise under the provision, while physician and pharmacist orders do not satisfy this dental-hygiene exception.

   Reference: Chapter 18.29 RCW, Dental Hygienists — RCW 18.29.050(2)

3. 3Does Washington's current radiograph interpretive statement require radiographs for every dental examination or before every treatment?

   1. A. Yes, for every new patient
   2. B. Yes, before every irreversible procedure
   3. C. No, radiographs are not invariably required
   4. D. No, but only when the patient is younger than 18

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The commission states: "Chapters 18.32 RCW and 246-817 WAC do not explicitly require radiographs as part of a dental examination, nor must radiographs always be taken prior to dental treatment."

   Reference: Dentist Standard of Care - Radiographs — Interpretive Statement IS-2.1, page 3

4. 4Beginning July 1, 2026, which 16- or 17-year-old may apply for Washington dental-assistant registration under the commission's interim guideline?

   1. A. A minor currently enrolled in or having completed a bona fide dental-assistant career training or vocational education program
   2. B. Any minor with six months of chairside work experience
   3. C. Any minor whose supervising dentist signs an age waiver
   4. D. A minor who completes only an office orientation course

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The guideline allows 16- and 17-year-olds to apply if the applicant "is currently a student in" or "has successfully completed a bona fide dental assistant career training or vocational education program."

   Reference: Dental Quality Assurance Commission - Dental Assistant Registration for Minors Guideline — Interim Guidelines for Minors Seeking Dental Assistant Registration, A

5. 5A hygienist and Washington dentist agree to an offsite-supervision arrangement. Which document must the hygienist submit to the department for approval under WAC 246-815-260?

   1. A. A written practice plan agreed with the dentist.
   2. B. A written delegation order agreed with the dentist.
   3. C. A written treatment plan agreed with the dentist.
   4. D. A written employment agreement with the dentist.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: "Offsite supervision means that a licensed dental hygienist has entered into a written practice plan under RCW 18.29.056 with a dentist licensed in Washington. The dentist must agree to be available for contact as documented in the practice plan. The dental hygienist must submit the practice plan to the department for approval." The regulation names a practice plan agreed with the Washington dentist and submitted by the hygienist. Procedure orders, patient plans and site agreements are distinct documents.

   Reference: Chapter 246-815 WAC, Dental Hygienists — WAC 246-815-260

6. 6A Washington dentist has reasonable cause to believe a child patient has suffered abuse. If the dentist elects to report directly to the state department named in RCW 26.44, which department receives the report?

   1. A. The Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
   2. B. The Department of Social and Health Services.
   3. C. The Department of Health and its licensing division.
   4. D. The Department of Labor and Industries.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: "he or she shall report such incident, or cause a report to be made, to the proper law enforcement agency or to the department as provided in RCW 26.44.040." RCW 26.44.020(10) defines "Department" as the department of children, youth, and families. The other Washington departments are not the named reporting recipient here.

   Reference: Chapter 26.44 RCW, Abuse of Children — RCW 26.44.030(1)(a)

7. 7A member of the public requests a dentist's home address and telephone number from the Department of Health. The request is for this individual's record, not a professional-association licensee list, and the dentist has not asked for release. What is the default disclosure result?

   1. A. They are withheld automatically unless the dentist requests release.
   2. B. They are withheld after a request supplying alternate business contacts.
   3. C. They are withheld after a request citing a pending disciplinary case.
   4. D. They are withheld after a request supported by a court order.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: "The current residential address and residential telephone number of a health care provider governed under RCW 18.130.040 maintained in the files of the department of health shall automatically be withheld from public inspection and copying unless the provider specifically requests the information be released" Dentists are governed by RCW 18.130.040, so the automatic withholding branch applies to this individual-record request. RCW 42.56.350(2) also cross-references the professional-licensee list exception in RCW 42.56.070(8), which the stem excludes.

   Reference: Chapter 42.56 RCW, Public Records Act — RCW 42.56.350(2)

8. 8While treating an older patient, a Washington dentist has reasonable cause to believe the vulnerable adult was financially exploited. To which state department must the dentist report immediately as a mandated reporter?

   1. A. The Department of Social and Health Services.
   2. B. The Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
   3. C. The Department of Corrections.
   4. D. The Department of Health and its licensing division.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: "When there is reasonable cause to believe that abandonment, abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect of a vulnerable adult has occurred, mandated reporters shall immediately report to the department." RCW 74.34.020(5) defines the department as the Department of Social and Health Services, and subsection (13) includes health care providers among mandated reporters. This is the vulnerable-adult route, unlike the child-abuse department.

   Reference: Chapter 74.34 RCW, Abuse of Vulnerable Adults — RCW 74.34.035(1) and 74.34.020(13)

9. 9A dentist's credential expired after a missed renewal date. Before the dentist resumes ordinary patient care, which credential status must be restored?

   1. A. Active credential status.
   2. B. Inactive credential status.
   3. C. Expired credential status.
   4. D. Retired active credential status.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: "While in expired status, the practitioner is not authorized to practice. Practicing on an expired status is a violation of law and subject to disciplinary action. To return to active status the practitioner complies with WAC 246-12-020 through 246-12-051." Ordinary practice requires a return to active status under the renewal rules. Inactive and expired do not authorize practice, and retired active is a different limited status.

   Reference: Chapter 246-12 WAC, Credentialed Health Care Providers — WAC 246-12-010(12)(b)

10. 10An endorsed dental hygienist is providing sealant services to children in an authorized school-based program. What supervision rule applies to applying sealants in that program?

    1. A. No dentist supervision under the school-program authority.
    2. B. General dentist supervision under the school-program authority.
    3. C. Close dentist supervision under the school-program authority.
    4. D. Direct visual dentist supervision under the school-program authority.

    Answer: A

    Explanation: "Dental hygienists may apply dental sealants and fluoride varnish treatments, including silver diamine fluoride, and may remove deposits and stains from the surfaces of teeth, without the supervision of a licensed dentist." The endorsed hygienist in this school program may provide these preventive services without dentist supervision. The other named levels apply to different delegated services or personnel.

    Reference: Chapter 246-814 WAC, Access to Dental Care for Children — WAC 246-814-020(1)