• 61 questions

Maryland Dental Jurisprudence Exam Study Guide: Practice Questions

Unofficial practice on Maryland's dental statute and COMAR 10.44, with the section behind every answer.

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How many continuing education hours may a licensee receive for volunteer pro bono dental services?

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners. Bank checked October 13, 2026.

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The board, licenses, renewal and continuing education 21

  • A dentist moves the office. Within how many days must the secretary of the Board be notified in writing? Answer: Within 60 days. Source: Md. Code, Health Occ. 4-313(c). Topic: The board, licenses, renewal and continuing education.
  • A holder of a volunteer dentist's license signs a statement agreeing to donate how many hours of dental services without compensation? Answer: At least 100 hours. Source: Md. Code, Health Occ. 4-308(c). Topic: The board, licenses, renewal and continuing education.
  • A teacher's license expires because the dentist is no longer on the faculty. What must the dentist do? Answer: Surrender it to the Board secretary within 30 days. Source: Md. Code, Health Occ. 4-309(b). Topic: The board, licenses, renewal and continuing education.
  • For how long must a licensee keep records of continuing education? Answer: 5 years. Source: COMAR 10.44.22.03. Topic: The board, licenses, renewal and continuing education.
  • For renewal in 2025 and after, how long is the infection control course owed every renewal cycle? Answer: 3 hours. Source: COMAR 10.44.22.04(M). Topic: The board, licenses, renewal and continuing education.
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The board, licenses, renewal and continuing education, continued

  • How long before a license expires must the Board send the renewal notice? Answer: At least 1 month. Source: Md. Code, Health Occ. 4-309(c). Topic: The board, licenses, renewal and continuing education.
  • How many continuing education hours may a licensee receive for volunteer pro bono dental services? Answer: Up to 8 hours. Source: COMAR 10.44.22.04(R). Topic: The board, licenses, renewal and continuing education.
  • How many continuing education hours may be earned by self-study activities? Answer: A maximum of 17 hours. Source: COMAR 10.44.22.04(F). Topic: The board, licenses, renewal and continuing education.
  • How many hours of Board-approved continuing education must a licensee complete to renew? Answer: At least 30 full hours. Source: COMAR 10.44.22.04(B). Topic: The board, licenses, renewal and continuing education.
  • How many members does the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners have? Answer: 16. Source: Md. Code, Health Occ. 4-202(a). Topic: The board, licenses, renewal and continuing education.
  • How many of the Board's members are licensed dental hygienists? Answer: 4. Source: Md. Code, Health Occ. 4-202(a). Topic: The board, licenses, renewal and continuing education.
  • How often must each licensee complete the 2-hour Board-approved course in abuse and neglect? Answer: Every other renewal cycle. Source: COMAR 10.44.22.04(O). Topic: The board, licenses, renewal and continuing education.
  • Of the 30 continuing education hours, how many must be earned at in-person courses or real-time webinars? Answer: A minimum of 13 hours. Source: COMAR 10.44.22.04(C). Topic: The board, licenses, renewal and continuing education.
  • On what date does a general license to practice dentistry or dental hygiene expire? Answer: June 30 of the second year following the effective date. Source: COMAR 10.44.10.01. Topic: The board, licenses, renewal and continuing education.
  • The regulation gives the Board's law examination two parts. One is general questions on laws, regulations and ethics. What is the other? Answer: Questions on Maryland jurisprudence. Source: COMAR 10.44.15.06. Topic: The board, licenses, renewal and continuing education.
  • What does a dentist owe the Board for failing to give notice of a change of office address? Answer: A late fee of $10. Source: Md. Code, Health Occ. 4-313(c). Topic: The board, licenses, renewal and continuing education.
  • What happens to a limited license to practice dentistry at the end of its term? Answer: It expires after 1 year and is not renewable. Source: COMAR 10.44.10.01 and 10.44.10.02. Topic: The board, licenses, renewal and continuing education.
  • What is the longest term for which a license may be renewed? Answer: 2 years. Source: Md. Code, Health Occ. 4-309(a). Topic: The board, licenses, renewal and continuing education.
  • What must a dental hygienist do with the license and current renewal certificate? Answer: Display them conspicuously in the office of practice. Source: Md. Code, Health Occ. 4-313(a). Topic: The board, licenses, renewal and continuing education.
  • What score must an applicant reach on the Board's written examination on laws, regulations and ethics? Answer: 75 or greater on each section. Source: COMAR 10.44.15.06. Topic: The board, licenses, renewal and continuing education.
  • Which 2-hour course does the continuing education regulation require of a dentist seeking renewal? Answer: Proper prescribing and disposal of prescription drugs. Source: COMAR 10.44.22.04(P). Topic: The board, licenses, renewal and continuing education.

Hygienists and assistants: duties and supervision 18

  • A hygienist administers local anesthesia by infiltration. Where must the supervising dentist be? Answer: Physically present on the premises. Source: Md. Code, Health Occ. 4-206.1(a). Topic: Hygienists and assistants: duties and supervision.
  • A level one dental assistant helps with intraoral photography that is not an X-ray. What supervision does the regulation set? Answer: General supervision of a dentist who reviews the photography. Source: COMAR 10.44.01.03. Topic: Hygienists and assistants: duties and supervision.
  • Before a hygienist works under general supervision in a private office with no dentist on the premises, how much clinical practice must be documented? Answer: At least 1,500 hours. Source: COMAR 10.44.27.04. Topic: Hygienists and assistants: duties and supervision.
  • Before an appointment under general supervision in a private office, what must the patient do? Answer: Be told the dentist will be away, and consent in writing. Source: COMAR 10.44.27.04. Topic: Hygienists and assistants: duties and supervision.
  • How many hygienists may work under one dentist's general supervision at any given time? Answer: Not more than two. Source: COMAR 10.44.27.04. Topic: Hygienists and assistants: duties and supervision.
  • How much continuing education must an expanded function dental assistant complete to renew the certificate? Answer: 15 hours, which include a 3-hour course on infection control. Source: COMAR 10.44.01.16. Topic: Hygienists and assistants: duties and supervision.
  • How old must a level one dental assistant be? Answer: At least 18 years old. Source: COMAR 10.44.01.03. Topic: Hygienists and assistants: duties and supervision.
  • In an office where expanded function dental assistants work, what must the supervising dentist display for office personnel? Answer: A copy of the dental assistant chapter of the regulations. Source: COMAR 10.44.01.14. Topic: Hygienists and assistants: duties and supervision.
  • In any 3-month period, what share of a hygienist's total hours may be unsupervised clinical hours? Answer: Less than 60 percent. Source: COMAR 10.44.27.04. Topic: Hygienists and assistants: duties and supervision.
  • On what date does an expanded function dental assistant certificate expire, unless renewed? Answer: October 31 of the second year following its effective date. Source: COMAR 10.44.01.11. Topic: Hygienists and assistants: duties and supervision.
  • Under the dental assistant chapter's definition of direct supervision, when does the dentist evaluate the assistant's performance? Answer: Before the dismissal of the patient. Source: COMAR 10.44.01.01. Topic: Hygienists and assistants: duties and supervision.
  • Under what supervision does a certified dental radiation technologist work? Answer: Direct supervision of a licensed dentist. Source: COMAR 10.44.19.09. Topic: Hygienists and assistants: duties and supervision.
  • What may a level one dental assistant do with a periodontal dressing? Answer: Remove or replace one, but not place the original. Source: COMAR 10.44.01.03. Topic: Hygienists and assistants: duties and supervision.
  • When does a certification as a dental radiation technologist expire, unless renewed? Answer: On the second anniversary of its issuance. Source: COMAR 10.44.19.05. Topic: Hygienists and assistants: duties and supervision.
  • When may a dentist permit a dental assistant to place and expose radiographs? Answer: When certified in dental radiation technology. Source: COMAR 10.44.01.25. Topic: Hygienists and assistants: duties and supervision.
  • Which of these may a level one dental assistant perform under direct supervision without Board certification? Answer: Removing sutures. Source: COMAR 10.44.01.03 and 10.44.01.22. Topic: Hygienists and assistants: duties and supervision.
  • Which procedure needs certification as a general duties expanded function dental assistant? Answer: Applying bonding agents. Source: COMAR 10.44.01.22. Topic: Hygienists and assistants: duties and supervision.
  • Who, under the dental hygiene regulation, may place an initial perio dressing? Answer: A dental hygienist. Source: COMAR 10.44.04.03. Topic: Hygienists and assistants: duties and supervision.

Record keeping and laboratory work 13

  • A dental assistant makes an entry in a patient's record. What must the treating dentist do? Answer: Review the entry and sign or initial it. Source: COMAR 10.44.30.02. Topic: Record keeping and laboratory work.
  • A person comes in for a consultation, no treatment is given and no fee is charged. Is a dental record required? Answer: Yes, for each individual seeking dental services. Source: COMAR 10.44.30.02. Topic: Record keeping and laboratory work.
  • For how long must the copy of a dental laboratory work authorization be kept? Answer: At least 1 year. Source: Md. Code, Health Occ. 4-404(b). Topic: Record keeping and laboratory work.
  • How is a wrong entry in a handwritten dental record changed? Answer: By a single line strike-through. Source: COMAR 10.44.30.02. Topic: Record keeping and laboratory work.
  • How often are the medical and dental histories in a dental record updated? Answer: At each visit. Source: COMAR 10.44.30.02. Topic: Record keeping and laboratory work.
  • In which of these forms may a dental record NOT be created or maintained? Answer: Written in pencil. Source: COMAR 10.44.30.02. Topic: Record keeping and laboratory work.
  • What does the chapter say about blank spaces between entries in a dental record? Answer: Blank spaces may not be left between entries. Source: COMAR 10.44.30.02. Topic: Record keeping and laboratory work.
  • What does the record keeping chapter say about "white out" on dental records? Answer: A dentist and auxiliary personnel may not use it. Source: COMAR 10.44.30.02. Topic: Record keeping and laboratory work.
  • What must a dentist who keeps electronic health records maintain? Answer: A back-up copy of the records, off site if feasible. Source: COMAR 10.44.30.02. Topic: Record keeping and laboratory work.
  • When must the dental record of a treatment be made? Answer: Contemporaneously with the treatment. Source: COMAR 10.44.30.02. Topic: Record keeping and laboratory work.
  • Where are a patient's financial records kept? Answer: In the dental records, but apart from the clinical chart. Source: COMAR 10.44.30.04. Topic: Record keeping and laboratory work.
  • Who signs a work authorization for dental laboratory work? Answer: A licensed dentist. Source: Md. Code, Health Occ. 4-403. Topic: Record keeping and laboratory work.
  • Who signs and dates the treatment plans in a patient's clinical chart? Answer: Both the dentist and the patient. Source: COMAR 10.44.30.03. Topic: Record keeping and laboratory work.

Advertising, penalties and infection control 9

  • A dentist advertises a fee and then renders the service at a higher fee. How does the advertising regulation treat the fee statement? Answer: As deceptive or misleading. Source: COMAR 10.44.06.03. Topic: Advertising, penalties and infection control.
  • After a hearing, what money penalty may the Board impose on a dentist instead of, or in addition to, suspending the license? Answer: Not exceeding $5,000. Source: Md. Code, Health Occ. 4-317. Topic: Advertising, penalties and infection control.
  • For how long may an interim supervising dentist serve before a new supervising dentist registers? Answer: No more than 45 calendar days. Source: COMAR 10.44.36.03. Topic: Advertising, penalties and infection control.
  • For how long must a dentist keep a copy of all advertising? Answer: 3 years from the date of publication. Source: COMAR 10.44.06.06. Topic: Advertising, penalties and infection control.
  • How does the statute class the practice of dentistry without a license? Answer: A felony. Source: Md. Code, Health Occ. 4-606(a). Topic: Advertising, penalties and infection control.
  • Where is the name of a private dental office's supervising dentist shown? Answer: Conspicuously in the office, on the Board's form. Source: COMAR 10.44.36.04. Topic: Advertising, penalties and infection control.
  • Which designation may a licensed dentist NOT use on a sign that bears the dentist's name? Answer: Dental Surgeon. Source: Md. Code, Health Occ. 4-503(b). Topic: Advertising, penalties and infection control.
  • Which of these may a licensed dentist NOT advertise? Answer: A guarantee of any dental work. Source: Md. Code, Health Occ. 4-503(a). Topic: Advertising, penalties and infection control.
  • Who must the owner of a private dental office designate for infection control? Answer: A licensed dentist, as the supervising dentist. Source: COMAR 10.44.36.03. Topic: Advertising, penalties and infection control.

How this list was compiled: Our own questions on the law the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners' jurisprudence examination covers. The board's 2026 Application for Dental Licensure by Examination (https://health.maryland.gov/dental/applications/2026/DDS/DENTAL%20LICENSURE%20BY%20EXAMINATION.pdf, opened 2026-10-13) says all applicants must pass the Jurisprudence Examination on the Dental Laws and Regulations of the State with a score of at least 75%, that it is open book, and that the fee is $50; COMAR 10.44.15.06 gives its two parts (general questions on laws, regulations and ethics, and questions on Maryland jurisprudence) and a score of 75 or greater on each. The board publishes no question count, time limit or weights, so the four topics here are this site's own sorting. Every fact was read on 2026-10-13 in the Health Occupations Article, Title 4, on the Maryland General Assembly's site (https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gho&section=4-101&enactments=false) and in COMAR Title 10, Subtitle 44 in the Library of Maryland Regulations (https://regs.maryland.gov/us/md/exec/comar/10.44). Each question names its section and links to it. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site, written from the public text of the Maryland statute and regulations. Nothing is taken from the board's jurisprudence examination, which the board posts on its own site and which was left unopened, nor from a prep company or a review book.

How it works

An unofficial Maryland dental jurisprudence exam study guide: 61 of our own questions on Health Occupations Title 4 and COMAR 10.44. The Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners owns the real examination and is not connected with this page.

Read the full guide

Where the real examination is

The board posts the examination itself on its website. Nothing here is taken from it: the questions are written from the statute and regulations alone, and a mock run uses the board's 75% as its pass mark. Fees, sedation permits and disciplinary procedure are not asked. Practice for an exam, not medical advice.

  • A general license expires on June 30 of the second year after it takes effect (COMAR 10.44.10.01).
  • Renewal needs 30 hours of continuing education, at least 13 in person or by live webinar (COMAR 10.44.22.04).
  • Dental records may never be kept in pencil or whited out (COMAR 10.44.30.02).

Questions and answers

Is there a Maryland dental jurisprudence exam study guide?

The board's affidavit names the only authorized sources: the Maryland Dental Practice Act and Regulations. Both are free online, as Health Occupations Title 4 and COMAR 10.44. Each answer on this page names the section it rests on.

Is the Maryland dental jurisprudence exam open book?

Yes. The 2026 application calls it an open book examination. Applicants swear in a notarized affidavit that they completed it without the aid of any individual or other unauthorized source.

What score passes the Maryland dental jurisprudence exam?

At least 75%, the board's application says. COMAR 10.44.15.06 puts it as a score of 75 or greater on each section of the examination.

How much does the Maryland jurisprudence exam cost?

The 2026 application for licensure by examination lists a $50 jurisprudence examination fee beside the $450 application fee. Fees change, so check the board's current form.

Is this the real Maryland jurisprudence exam?

No. These are practice questions written for this site from the public law. The Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners did not write, review or approve them.

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