Free Maryland Dental Hygiene Jurisprudence Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

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

1. 1A Maryland dental hygienist is completing an initial oral assessment before prophylaxis. Which action is expressly within the statutory practice of dental hygiene?

   1. A. Perform a preliminary dental examination
   2. B. Make a definitive dental diagnosis
   3. C. Extract a hopeless tooth
   4. D. Repair a cavitated tooth

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Maryland defines practice to include: “Perform a preliminary dental examination.” A diagnosis, extraction, and cavity repair are outside this authority.

   Reference: Article - Health Occupations, Section 4-101 — Health Occupations Article §4-101(k)(1)

2. 2A hygienist's employment contract purports to bar her from telling the Maryland Board about a possible violation of the Dentistry Act. What is the legal effect of that clause?

   1. A. It is voidable only at the hygienist's election after signing.
   2. B. It is void and unenforceable as contrary to state public policy.
   3. C. It is unenforceable only when the disclosure is made in court.
   4. D. It remains enforceable until the underlying violation is proved.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Section 4-509 declares this type of restriction "void and unenforceable as contrary to the public policy of the State." That is an immediate statutory status, not an elective voidability, a court-only limit, or a rule waiting for proof of the underlying violation.

   Reference: Md. Code, Health Occupations §4-509 — Page 1

3. 3A dental assistant will help a hygienist provide services while the dentist is off site at a facility. Under COMAR 10.44.01.02B, when may the assistant perform the listed duties under general supervision?

   1. A. When the facility filed a report and the hygienist has private-office privileges.
   2. B. When the facility has the on-site waiver and the assisting hygienist has that waiver.
   3. C. When the assistant has direct-supervision experience and the dentist is on call.
   4. D. When the facility permits off-site care and the patient has signed general consent.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The rule limits general-supervision assisting to a facility "that has been granted a waiver of on-site supervision for a dental hygienist" and to assisting a hygienist with that waiver. A report, experience, or general consent does not replace those conditions.

   Reference: COMAR 10.44.01 Dental Assistants — .02

4. 4A hygienist with an active license in another state has passed each ADHLEX section at 75 or above. Which additional examination is specifically required by COMAR 10.44.09.03A for that out-of-state route?

   1. A. The Maryland Dental Hygiene Jurisprudence Examination.
   2. B. The National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.
   3. C. The ADEX written clinical diagnosis and treatment-planning examination.
   4. D. The CDCA Local Anesthesia Examination for Dental Hygienists.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The ADHLEX branch specifically requires passage of the "Maryland Dental Hygiene Jurisprudence Examination" with 75 or more on each section. National boards, the alternative ADEX written exam, and the CDCA local-anesthesia exam are real exams in other licensure contexts but do not replace this branch's named examination.

   Reference: COMAR 10.44.09 Out-of-State Hygienist Licensure — .03

5. 5During a dental radiograph, the patient shield would overlap the diagnostic field and obscure the anatomy being evaluated. Which statement describes Maryland's shielding requirement for this exposure?

   1. A. The shield remains required even though it obscures the diagnostic field.
   2. B. The shield is not required because it would impair diagnostic quality.
   3. C. The shield is unnecessary whenever a digital receptor is used.
   4. D. The shield is unnecessary whenever a certified operator exposes the image.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: COMAR 10.44.13.04 states, "Protection is not required if its use would interfere with the diagnostic quality of the resultant radiographs." That specific imaging interference applies here. Digital capture and operator certification do not create the chapter's shielding exception, while a shield that obscures anatomy is not required.

   Reference: COMAR 10.44.13 Radiographic Protection — .04

6. 6A currently licensed out-of-state hygienist applies for Maryland's temporary dental hygiene license. What is the minimum practice history in the temporary-license eligibility rule?

   1. A. At least 150 hours annually for the preceding three years.
   2. B. At least 400 hours annually for the preceding two years.
   3. C. At least 800 hours annually for the preceding two years.
   4. D. At least 1,500 hours annually for the preceding two years.

   Answer: C

   Explanation: COMAR 10.44.17.02C requires the applicant to have "practiced dental hygiene at least 800 hours per year for 2 years" and during the past two years. The other figures belong to different Maryland experience rules or do not express this minimum.

   Reference: COMAR 10.44.17 Temporary Hygiene License — .02

7. 7Which Maryland disciplinary act specifically concerns a hygienist's statements about materials used for a patient?

   1. A. Misrepresenting the description, composition, or quality of the materials
   2. B. Willfully obstructing the filing of a report required by law
   3. C. Requesting sexual favors from a patient
   4. D. Providing professional services while under the influence of alcohol

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Misrepresenting “the description, chemical composition, or quality of the materials” used or intended is unprofessional or dishonorable conduct.

   Reference: Chapter 23 Unprofessional Conduct | Library of Maryland Regulations — COMAR 10.44.23.03B(1)

8. 8In a Maryland private dental office, what does general supervision mean for a dental hygienist?

   1. A. The dentist must be chairside throughout treatment
   2. B. The dentist may or may not be present while the hygienist performs procedures
   3. C. The hygienist practices independently without a supervising dentist
   4. D. A physician replaces the supervising dentist

   Answer: B

   Explanation: COMAR defines general supervision as supervision where the dentist “may or may not be present when the dental hygienist performs the dental hygiene procedures.”

   Reference: Chapter 27 Dental Hygiene Practice — General Supervision — Private Office | Library of Maryland Regulations — COMAR 10.44.27.02B

9. 9When treatment is rendered in a Maryland dental office, when must the corresponding record be made?

   1. A. At the next recall appointment
   2. B. Within 30 days
   3. C. Before the next billing cycle
   4. D. Contemporaneously with the treatment

   Answer: D

   Explanation: COMAR requires: “If treatment is rendered, dental records shall be made contemporaneously with the treatment rendered.”

   Reference: Chapter 30 Record Keeping | Library of Maryland Regulations — COMAR 10.44.30.02E

10. 10The Maryland Board is considering an unannounced inspection of a dental office for possible CDC universal-precaution noncompliance. Which complaint fits the express trigger in COMAR 10.44.34.02A?

    1. A. A written, signed complaint alleging the office failed to follow CDC universal precautions.
    2. B. A written, unsigned complaint alleging the office failed to follow CDC universal precautions.
    3. C. An oral complaint by a named patient alleging failure to follow CDC universal precautions.
    4. D. A written, signed complaint alleging an unrelated dispute over patient billing.

    Answer: A

    Explanation: The rule permits an unannounced inspection on receipt of a "written and signed complaint" alleging potential noncompliance with CDC universal precautions. The unsigned and oral reports lack those express form elements; the billing complaint alleges a different subject.

    Reference: COMAR 10.44.34 CDC Compliance Inspections — .02