• 94 questions

Massachusetts Dental Jurisprudence Practice Test

Unofficial practice on the Massachusetts dental statutes and 234 CMR, every answer marked with its section.

How many members of the Board of Registration in Dentistry make a quorum?

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry. Bank checked October 16, 2026.

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All 94 questions

The Board, licenses and renewal 23

  • A dental hygienist licensed elsewhere applies by credentials. How much practice immediately before the application must be shown? 234 CMR 4.08(5). Topic: The Board, licenses and renewal.
  • A dental student may be licensed as a dental hygienist after completing how much of dental school? 234 CMR 4.09. Topic: The Board, licenses and renewal.
  • A dentist dies. For how long may the surviving spouse or executor continue the business under a registered dentist? M.G.L. c. 112, § 53. Topic: The Board, licenses and renewal.
  • A dentist licensed in another state applies by credentials. How much practice immediately before the application must be shown? 234 CMR 4.04(5). Topic: The Board, licenses and renewal.
  • A licensee is on active duty in the armed forces. Until when does the license remain valid? 234 CMR 4.14(5). Topic: The Board, licenses and renewal.
  • A licensee moves. How soon must the Board be told in writing of the new mailing address? 234 CMR 4.15(1). Topic: The Board, licenses and renewal.
  • A licensee whose license is on retired status asks to return to current status. What does the regulation say? 234 CMR 4.17(1). Topic: The Board, licenses and renewal.
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The Board, licenses and renewal, continued

  • A limited license dental intern may practice under initial and renewal limited licenses for no more than how long, unless a clinical examination is passed? 234 CMR 4.06(2). Topic: The Board, licenses and renewal.
  • A person starting on-the-job training as a dental assistant may work without a license, after a notice of intent, for one period of up to how long? 234 CMR 4.13(1). Topic: The Board, licenses and renewal.
  • An applicant who fails the Board's examination for dentists is entitled to how many re-examinations within three years? M.G.L. c. 112, § 45. Topic: The Board, licenses and renewal.
  • The Board may require a dentist to be re-examined for competency after the dentist has gone how long without a current license? 234 CMR 4.14(9)(c). Topic: The Board, licenses and renewal.
  • By what date does a dental hygienist renew a Massachusetts license? 234 CMR 4.14(2). Topic: The Board, licenses and renewal.
  • By what date does a licensed dental assistant renew? 234 CMR 4.14(3). Topic: The Board, licenses and renewal.
  • By what date does a licensed dentist renew a Massachusetts dental license? 234 CMR 4.14(1). Topic: The Board, licenses and renewal.
  • How does the statute define a "full time faculty member"? M.G.L. c. 112, § 43A. Topic: The Board, licenses and renewal.
  • How many members of the Board of Registration in Dentistry make a quorum? M.G.L. c. 112, § 43. Topic: The Board, licenses and renewal.
  • The physician's statement filed with a license application must follow an examination made how recently? 234 CMR 4.03(4). Topic: The Board, licenses and renewal.
  • Unless the Board orders otherwise, how early may a suspended licensee petition for reinstatement? 234 CMR 4.16(3). Topic: The Board, licenses and renewal.
  • What is the youngest age at which the Board may examine a person for registration as a dental hygienist? M.G.L. c. 112, § 51. Topic: The Board, licenses and renewal.
  • What must a dentist attest to about MassHealth on a renewal application? 234 CMR 4.14(1). Topic: The Board, licenses and renewal.
  • When the Board reports a suspected violation to the attorney general, how long does the attorney general have to tell the Board what was done? M.G.L. c. 112, § 43. Topic: The Board, licenses and renewal.
  • Where is a limited license dental intern barred from practicing dentistry? M.G.L. c. 112, § 45A. Topic: The Board, licenses and renewal.
  • Which examination is on the list for every dentist, limited license and dental hygienist route in 234 CMR 4.00? 234 CMR 4.03(5)(c). Topic: The Board, licenses and renewal.

Continuing education 15

  • A consent agreement orders a licensee to take twelve CEUs. May they count toward renewal? 234 CMR 8.02(10). Topic: Continuing education.
  • A dentist finishes a cycle with ten CEUs more than required. What may be done with the extra units? 234 CMR 8.02(9). Topic: Continuing education.
  • A dentist teaches a continuing education course for the first time. What credit is earned? 234 CMR 8.05(3)(a). Topic: Continuing education.
  • For how long must a course sponsor keep its attendance records? 234 CMR 8.04(3). Topic: Continuing education.
  • How long must a licensee keep documentation of CEUs after a renewal? 234 CMR 8.06(1). Topic: Continuing education.
  • How many CEUs must a dental hygienist complete in each renewal cycle? 234 CMR 8.02(3). Topic: Continuing education.
  • How many CEUs must a fully licensed dentist complete in each renewal cycle? 234 CMR 8.02(1). Topic: Continuing education.
  • How many CEUs must a licensed dental assistant complete in each renewal cycle? 234 CMR 8.02(4). Topic: Continuing education.
  • How many CEUs must a limited license dental intern complete before each renewal? 234 CMR 8.02(2). Topic: Continuing education.
  • How many CEUs per cycle may a dental hygienist earn through self-instruction? 234 CMR 8.05(2). Topic: Continuing education.
  • How many CEUs per cycle may a dentist earn through self-instruction such as home study or on-line courses? 234 CMR 8.05(2). Topic: Continuing education.
  • In the Board's regulations, one CEU is at least how many minutes of education? 234 CMR 2.02. Topic: Continuing education.
  • What does the regulation say about CEUs for a new graduate? 234 CMR 8.02(6). Topic: Continuing education.
  • Which course does 234 CMR 8.04 name as not acceptable for credit? 234 CMR 8.04(1). Topic: Continuing education.
  • Which two things must every licensee keep up as a condition of each biennial renewal? 234 CMR 8.03(1). Topic: Continuing education.

Hygienists, assistants and supervision 19

  • A public health dental hygienist's consent form tells the patient to have a dental examination by a dentist within what period? M.G.L. c. 112, § 51. Topic: Hygienists, assistants and supervision.
  • A registered dental hygienist performs sub-gingival and supra-gingival scaling in a private office. What supervision does the table in 234 CMR 5.11 give? 234 CMR 5.11(43). Topic: Hygienists, assistants and supervision.
  • Before practicing as a public health dental hygienist, how many hours of continuing education must a hygienist complete? 234 CMR 5.07(2)(a). Topic: Hygienists, assistants and supervision.
  • Before taking radiographs, an on-the-job trained dental assistant must complete a radiology course and do what else? 234 CMR 5.09(2). Topic: Hygienists, assistants and supervision.
  • How much clinical experience must a public health dental hygienist have? 234 CMR 2.02. Topic: Hygienists, assistants and supervision.
  • How often must a dentist and a public health dental hygienist review and update their written collaborative agreement? 234 CMR 5.08(4). Topic: Hygienists, assistants and supervision.
  • In the hygienist statute, which service does the word "therapeutic" include? M.G.L. c. 112, § 51. Topic: Hygienists, assistants and supervision.
  • Since what date has a Board license been required to practice as a dental assistant? 234 CMR 4.11. Topic: Hygienists, assistants and supervision.
  • Under 234 CMR 2.02, what is "direct supervision"? 234 CMR 2.02. Topic: Hygienists, assistants and supervision.
  • Under what supervision may a registered dental hygienist administer local anesthesia? 234 CMR 5.11(45). Topic: Hygienists, assistants and supervision.
  • Under what supervision may any dental auxiliary assist with or monitor nitrous oxide analgesia? 234 CMR 5.11(25). Topic: Hygienists, assistants and supervision.
  • What does "general supervision" mean in the Massachusetts dental statute? M.G.L. c. 112, § 43A. Topic: Hygienists, assistants and supervision.
  • What must licensees and auxiliaries wear while providing dental services to a patient? 234 CMR 5.04(3). Topic: Hygienists, assistants and supervision.
  • Which dental assistant holds DANB certification and has also finished a formal expanded functions program at a CODA-accredited program? 234 CMR 2.02. Topic: Hygienists, assistants and supervision.
  • Which level of supervision requires the dentist to personally diagnose, personally authorize and evaluate the treatment before the patient leaves? 234 CMR 2.02. Topic: Hygienists, assistants and supervision.
  • Which of these is a non-delegable duty under 234 CMR 5.12? 234 CMR 5.12(9). Topic: Hygienists, assistants and supervision.
  • Which of these may only a licensed dentist do? 234 CMR 5.12(10). Topic: Hygienists, assistants and supervision.
  • Who is responsible for the delegated procedures a dental auxiliary performs? 234 CMR 5.10(2). Topic: Hygienists, assistants and supervision.
  • Who may operate high speed rotary instruments in a patient's mouth? 234 CMR 5.12(5). Topic: Hygienists, assistants and supervision.

Records, prescribing and running a practice 20

  • A dental practice is not wholly owned by Massachusetts-licensed dentists. What does the regulation require, unless an exemption applies? 234 CMR 5.02(2). Topic: Records, prescribing and running a practice.
  • A patient asks for a complete copy of the dental record. Within what time must it be provided? 234 CMR 5.13(4)(a). Topic: Records, prescribing and running a practice.
  • A patient dies in a dental facility. How soon must the treating dentist send the Board a written report? 234 CMR 5.16(1). Topic: Records, prescribing and running a practice.
  • A patient who owes for treatment asks for a copy of the record. What may the licensee do? 234 CMR 5.13(4)(a). Topic: Records, prescribing and running a practice.
  • A practice has dentists who are not owners. What must its owners do? 234 CMR 5.02(3). Topic: Records, prescribing and running a practice.
  • An advertisement offers a dental service free of charge. What must it also state? 234 CMR 5.18(2)(b). Topic: Records, prescribing and running a practice.
  • For how long must a licensee keep an adult patient's original dental record and radiographs? 234 CMR 5.13(3). Topic: Records, prescribing and running a practice.
  • For personal use, a dentist is prohibited from prescribing controlled substances in which schedules? 234 CMR 5.06(2). Topic: Records, prescribing and running a practice.
  • How long is the record of a minor patient kept? 234 CMR 5.13(3). Topic: Records, prescribing and running a practice.
  • How often must staff be trained to carry out a dental practice's emergency protocols? 234 CMR 5.15(4). Topic: Records, prescribing and running a practice.
  • Under what name must a dental office be conducted? M.G.L. c. 112, § 49. Topic: Records, prescribing and running a practice.
  • What must a licensee do about the medical history at each patient visit? 234 CMR 5.14(3)(b). Topic: Records, prescribing and running a practice.
  • What must be marked on a complete denture made by or for a registered dentist? M.G.L. c. 112, § 50. Topic: Records, prescribing and running a practice.
  • What two things does the regulation require of electronic patient records? 234 CMR 5.13(4)(e). Topic: Records, prescribing and running a practice.
  • When may a dentist be listed in a directory as a practitioner of an ADA-recognized specialty? 234 CMR 5.03(2). Topic: Records, prescribing and running a practice.
  • When may a dentist prescribe a Schedule II controlled substance to a spouse or child? 234 CMR 5.06(3). Topic: Records, prescribing and running a practice.
  • Where must a licensee post his or her name and current license? 234 CMR 5.04(1). Topic: Records, prescribing and running a practice.
  • Which infection control testing interval does 234 CMR 5.02 list among a Dental Director's duties? 234 CMR 5.02(3)(b). Topic: Records, prescribing and running a practice.
  • Which treatment calls for a specific informed consent, beyond the general one? 234 CMR 5.14(3)(f). Topic: Records, prescribing and running a practice.
  • Whose name must appear in any advertisement for dental services? 234 CMR 5.18(3)(a). Topic: Records, prescribing and running a practice.

Complaints, discipline and penalties 17

  • A person files a complaint with the Board in good faith and is later sued over it. What does the statute provide? M.G.L. c. 112, § 52G. Topic: Complaints, discipline and penalties.
  • A registered dentist fails to exhibit his full name in the office. What is the penalty? M.G.L. c. 112, § 52. Topic: Complaints, discipline and penalties.
  • After a summary suspension order issues, within what time must the post-suspension hearing take place? 234 CMR 9.05(3)(b). Topic: Complaints, discipline and penalties.
  • An advertisement offers a discount on a dental service. What must it disclose? M.G.L. c. 112, § 52A. Topic: Complaints, discipline and penalties.
  • Another state's board disciplines a Massachusetts licensee. How soon must the licensee report it to the Board in writing? 234 CMR 9.03(1)(hh). Topic: Complaints, discipline and penalties.
  • The Board asks a licensee for a written response to a pending investigation. How long does the licensee have? 234 CMR 9.02(2). Topic: Complaints, discipline and penalties.
  • For which billing conduct may the Board suspend or reprimand a dentist under M.G.L. c. 112, § 52E? M.G.L. c. 112, § 52E. Topic: Complaints, discipline and penalties.
  • How does the regulation treat the Board's acceptance of a permanent surrender of a license? 234 CMR 9.04(3). Topic: Complaints, discipline and penalties.
  • On what finding may the Board suspend a license without first holding a hearing? M.G.L. c. 112, § 52F. Topic: Complaints, discipline and penalties.
  • What does 234 CMR 5.20 say about fees for referring patients? 234 CMR 5.20(2). Topic: Complaints, discipline and penalties.
  • What is an advisory letter under 234 CMR 9.06? 234 CMR 9.06(1). Topic: Complaints, discipline and penalties.
  • What is the penalty for a first offence of practicing dentistry without being registered? M.G.L. c. 112, § 52. Topic: Complaints, discipline and penalties.
  • What laboratory may a dentist in active practice own? 234 CMR 5.20(4). Topic: Complaints, discipline and penalties.
  • When may the Board inspect a dental practice? 234 CMR 5.17(1). Topic: Complaints, discipline and penalties.
  • Which advertising claim does M.G.L. c. 112, § 52A forbid? M.G.L. c. 112, § 52A. Topic: Complaints, discipline and penalties.
  • Which Board action does the regulation say does not constitute discipline? 234 CMR 9.04(2)(b). Topic: Complaints, discipline and penalties.
  • Which Board action is a formal, public rebuke that is discipline but puts no conditions on practice? 234 CMR 9.04(2)(b). Topic: Complaints, discipline and penalties.

How this list was compiled: Our own questions on the law the Massachusetts Dental Ethics and Jurisprudence Exam covers. The Board of Registration in Dentistry's page 'Request a copy of the Dental Ethics and Jurisprudence Exam' (https://www.mass.gov/how-to/request-a-copy-of-the-dental-ethics-and-jurisprudence-exam, opened 2026-10-16) calls it a mandatory, open-book examination for dentists, dental hygienists, limited license dental interns and limited license dental faculty members, sent by email on request, and lists what to review: the Massachusetts General Laws pertaining to dentistry and the regulations at 234 CMR, with federal workplace safety standards and the professions' ethics codes. It gives no question count, no time limit and no pass mark and publishes no content outline, so the five topics here are this site's own sorting. Every fact was read on 2026-10-16 in M.G.L. c. 112, §§ 43 to 53 on the General Court's site (https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXVI/Chapter112) and in 234 CMR 2.00, 4.00, 8.00 and 9.00 (Mass. Register 1363, dated 4-20-18) and 234 CMR 5.00 as posted in the state's law library (https://www.mass.gov/law-library/234-cmr). 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 Massachusetts General Laws and the Code of Massachusetts Regulations. Nothing is taken from the Board's examination, a prep company or a review book.

How it works

An unofficial Massachusetts dental jurisprudence practice test: 94 of our own questions on M.G.L. c. 112, §§ 43 to 53 and 234 CMR. The Board of Registration in Dentistry gives the real exam and is not affiliated with this page.

Read the full guide

What is left out

Law only, and each question cites its section. The real exam also draws on federal workplace safety standards and the professions' ethics codes, which are not asked here; nor are fees, sedation permits or mobile dentistry. Practice for an exam, not medical advice.

  • Dentists renew by March 31 of even-numbered years with 40 CEUs; hygienists by March 31 of odd-numbered years with 20 (234 CMR 4.14, 8.02).
  • Patient records are kept seven years from the last treatment, and a requested copy is due within 30 calendar days (234 CMR 5.13).
  • Only a dentist may operate high speed rotary instruments in the mouth or irrigate root canals (234 CMR 5.12).

Questions and answers

Is the Massachusetts dental jurisprudence exam open book?

Yes. The Board calls its Dental Ethics and Jurisprudence Exam a mandatory, open-book examination for dentists, dental hygienists, limited license dental interns and limited license dental faculty members.

How do I get the Massachusetts dental jurisprudence exam?

By email. The Board's page says to request a copy from the Board of Registration in Dentistry, which sends the exam by return email. The license application then asks for the answer sheet only.

How many questions are on the Massachusetts dental jurisprudence exam?

The Board's pages give no question count, time limit or pass mark, so this page does not guess them. A mock run here asks 25 questions with no clock and gives a score with no verdict.

What should I study for the Massachusetts dental ethics and jurisprudence exam?

The Board lists the Massachusetts General Laws on dentistry and its regulations at 234 CMR first, then federal workplace safety standards, the dental and dental hygiene ethics codes and sedation guidelines.

Is this the Board's exam?

No. The questions were written for this site from the public statutes and regulations, never from the exam. The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry has not reviewed this page.

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