Free Tennessee Board of Dentistry Ethics and Jurisprudence examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Tennessee Board of Dentistry Ethics and Jurisprudence examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A Tennessee dental practice receives a qualifying written records request from Department of Health investigators. The records are not privileged. What is the latest statutory production deadline?

   1. A. Five business days after the request
   2. B. Ten business days after the request
   3. C. Fifteen business days after the request
   4. D. Thirty business days after the request

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The statute requires production "within ten (10) business days of the request." The Department's qualifying written request therefore triggers a ten-business-day outside limit; the other periods do not state that limit.

   Reference: Tennessee General Assembly, 2026 Tennessee Code Bill Volume 2 — T.C.A. § 63-1-117(a)

2. 2Under the generally applicable Tennessee supervision cap enacted in 2024, how many dental hygienists may one dentist supervise at the same time under general supervision?

   1. A. Three
   2. B. Four
   3. C. Five
   4. D. Ten

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The controlling text states, “more than three (3) dental hygienists.” The general cap is three hygienists at one time, subject to specific statutory exceptions for certain public-service settings.

   Reference: Tn Code Bill Volume 2 (2025) — T.C.A. § 63-5-108(f)(1), as codified from Public Chapter 561

3. 3How many Board-approved continuing-education hours must a Tennessee dental hygienist ordinarily complete per two-calendar-year cycle?

   1. A. 30 hours
   2. B. 20 hours
   3. C. 24 hours
   4. D. 40 hours

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The controlling text states, “thirty (30) hours of continuing education.” The biennial continuing-education requirement for a dental hygienist is thirty hours.

   Reference: 0460 01.20230919 — Rule 0460-01-.05(1)(b)

4. 4A dentist licensure applicant's dean confirms that the applicant is eligible for a degree, but the final term has not ended. When may Tennessee issue the dentist license?

   1. A. When the dean sends the eligibility letter to the Board
   2. B. When the applicant completes the licensure application
   3. C. When a dental school sends an incomplete transcript
   4. D. When the Board receives official notice of degree and diploma conferral

   Answer: D

   Explanation: The rule states "no license shall be issued until official notification is received" that the degree and diploma have been conferred. An eligibility letter can support an application, but it does not permit license issuance before conferral is officially confirmed.

   Reference: Tennessee Board of Dentistry, Chapter 0460-02 Practice of Dentistry — Rule 0460-02-.01(1)(b)2

5. 5What is the minimum age for initial Tennessee dental hygienist licensure?

   1. A. 18 years
   2. B. 19 years
   3. C. 20 years
   4. D. 21 years

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The controlling text states, “at least eighteen (18) years of age.” Tennessee requires an applicant to be at least eighteen years old.

   Reference: Tn Rule 0460 03 Download — Policies, Rules & Statutes; Chapter 0460-03, Rule 0460-03-.01(3)

6. 6A practical dental assistant is learning chairside duties in a Tennessee dental office. Who must provide the supervision required for that assistant's practice?

   1. A. A licensed dentist providing general supervision
   2. B. A dental hygienist providing direct supervision
   3. C. A registered assistant providing direct supervision
   4. D. A licensed dentist providing direct supervision

   Answer: D

   Explanation: Rule 0460-04-.01 says a practical assistant "must be under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist." General dentist supervision and supervision by another auxiliary role do not meet that requirement.

   Reference: Tennessee Board of Dentistry, Chapter 0460-04 Dental Assistants — Rule 0460-04-.01(1)(b)1

7. 7After completing a Board-approved local-anesthesia course, what may be issued while the required employer-office externship is completed?

   1. A. A temporary local-anesthesia certification
   2. B. An unrestricted dentist license
   3. C. A permanent sedation permit
   4. D. A mobile-clinic ownership permit

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The controlling text states, “temporary local anesthesia certification.” A temporary certification may be issued for the required externship pending proof of the specified injections.

   Reference: 0460 05.20250522 — Rule 0460-05-.02(5)(d)4(v)-(vii)

8. 8A Department investigator requests patient records that are statutorily privileged. What additional release is required before those records may be produced under Tennessee's health-board records statute?

   1. A. A general patient release identifying the dental practice and recipient
   2. B. A Department request identifying the complaint and requested records
   3. C. A patient-signed release identifying the privilege and waiving it
   4. D. A dentist-signed release identifying the records and their custodian

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The exception requires a release that "identifies the privilege, contains a statement that the privilege is waived" and is signed by the patient or legal representative. A general authorization, agency request, or dentist signature does not satisfy that specific waiver.

   Reference: Tennessee General Assembly, 2026 Tennessee Code Bill Volume 2 — T.C.A. § 63-1-117(b)

9. 9Under the 2024 statutory exception for department, county, metropolitan, and qualifying safety-net programs, how many hygienists may one dentist supervise at once under general supervision?

   1. A. One
   2. B. Four
   3. C. Six
   4. D. Five

   Answer: D

   Explanation: The controlling text states, “no more than five (5) dental hygienists.” The specified public and safety-net settings may use a maximum of five hygienists at one time under protocols.

   Reference: Tn Code Bill Volume 2 (2025) — T.C.A. § 63-5-108(f)(3), as codified from Public Chapter 561

10. 10Within the 30-hour continuing-education requirement, how many hours must address chemical dependency?

    1. A. One hour
    2. B. At least two hours
    3. C. At least five hours
    4. D. Ten hours

    Answer: B

    Explanation: The controlling text states, “At least two (2) hours of the thirty (30) hour requirement.” At least two of the thirty hours must pertain to chemical-dependency education.

    Reference: 0460 01.20230919 — Rule 0460-01-.05(1)(b)