Minnesota Dental Jurisprudence Practice Exam

If a dental hygienist violates a statute, who might be reprimanded by the Board?

1. Dentist

2. Hygienist

3. Dentists and/or hygienist

4. None of the above

The correct answer is: Dentists and/or hygienist

The reason "Dentists and/or hygienist" is the correct answer lies in the shared responsibility and accountability within a dental practice. If a dental hygienist violates a statute, it can result in administrative action from the Board that could affect not only the hygienist but also the supervising dentist. Dental practices often operate as a team, and the hygienist's actions may reflect on or involve the dentist as well. For instance, if a hygienist is found to have acted outside the scope of their practice or violated regulations pertaining to patient care, the Board has the authority to reconsider the practices of both the hygienist and the dentist under whose supervision the hygienist was operating. This dual accountability emphasizes the importance of maintaining ethical and lawful standards across all licensed professionals within the practice. Other options do not fully capture the breadth of responsibility established by dental statutes, as they either limit accountability to one role or incorrectly suggest no accountability at all, which is not in line with the regulatory framework governing dental practices.