# Florida FHLR practice questions: Infection control and practice settings Five original Florida FHLR practice questions on infection control and practice settings, each answered on this page with a rationale and a source. Last updated: 2026-07-27. ## Question 1 Under Florida Board of Dentistry rules, a licensee's failure to follow the required sterilization and disinfection procedures in Rule 64B5-25.003, F.A.C., constitutes which of the following? - A. A sanitary violation only - B. A negligence violation only - C. Both a sanitary violation and negligence - D. Neither, provided no patient was actually harmed **Answer C:** Both a sanitary violation and negligence Rule 64B5-25.001, F.A.C., explicitly states that failure to follow sterilization procedures constitutes both a failure to provide reasonable sanitary facilities (s. 466.028(1)(u), F.S.) and negligence (s. 466.028(1)(x), F.S.). Actual harm is not required for the violation to occur. **Common trap:** Thinking a procedural lapse that doesn't hurt anyone is "only" a housekeeping/sanitary issue rather than clinical negligence. Source: [Fla. Admin. Code R. 64B5-25.001 — Purpose](https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=64B5-25.001) ## Question 2 A dental hygienist who has been licensed in Florida for 20 years decides to retire from private practice but wishes to volunteer at a permitted 501(c)(3) non-profit clinic. She applies for a Limited License and provides a notarized statement that she will receive no compensation. Which of the following is correct? - A. The hygienist is exempt from all biennial continuing education requirements. - B. The hygienist may provide services to any patient regardless of their income level. - C. The hygienist is no longer required to work under any level of dentist supervision. - D. The hygienist’s application and licensure fees for the Limited License are waived. **Answer D:** The hygienist’s application and licensure fees for the Limited License are waived. Rule 64B5-7.007 allows for fee waivers if the applicant will not receive monetary compensation, but the licensee must still comply with all continuing education requirements. **Common trap:** Candidates often assume that "retirement" or "volunteering" means a "CE holiday," but the CE duty remains for all active/limited licensees. Source: [Fla. Admin. Code R. 64B5-7.007 — Limited License as Allowed in Section 456.015, F.S](https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=64B5-7.007) ## Question 3 A dental hygienist is preparing to process a slow-speed dental motor and a reusable prophy angle after a procedure. Which processing method is required by Florida law? - A. Surface disinfection with an EPA-registered disinfectant - B. Disinfection using a high-level liquid chemical sterilant for 10 hours - C. Scrubbing with soap and water followed by 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe - D. Sterilization using heat with pressure or heat with a chemical method **Answer D:** Sterilization using heat with pressure or heat with a chemical method Rule 64B5-25.003(2)(d), F.A.C., specifically mandates that slow speed motors and reusable prophy angles must be sterilized after each use using heat with pressure or heat with chemical method, and that the method used must be capable of sterilization. Wiping or liquid disinfection is insufficient for these items. **Common trap:** Believing that slow-speed motors, because they don't always enter the mouth, only require surface disinfection. Source: [Fla. Admin. Code R. 64B5-25.003 — Required Sterilization and Disinfection Procedures](https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=64B5-25.003) ## Question 4 A Florida-licensed dental hygienist provides oral hygiene instruction and preliminary assessments via a synchronous video platform to residents at a community health center. Regarding documentation, the hygienist must follow which standard? - A. Document services according to the same standard as used for in-person clinical services. - B. Maintain a simplified teledentistry log that is separate from the patient's permanent record. - C. Record the video encounter and store it for 2 years in lieu of traditional narrative charting. - D. Chart the encounter only if the remote assessment leads to a definitive clinical diagnosis. **Answer A:** Document services according to the same standard as used for in-person clinical services. s. 456.47, F.S. requires that telehealth providers document services in the medical record according to the same standard used for in-person services. **Common trap:** The "simplified log" or "video-only" options are tempting in a technology-heavy scenario, but Florida law mandates parity. Source: [s. 456.47, F.S. — Use of telehealth to provide services](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0456/Sections/0456.47.html) ## Question 5 In a Florida dental office, when is a dental hygienist required to wear a surgical mask and examination gloves? - A. During any intra-oral procedure where contact with blood or saliva is imminent - B. During any dental procedure performed on a patient, including radiographs - C. Only when the patient has a confirmed history of bloodborne pathogens - D. Only when performing surgical procedures involving bone or soft tissue penetration **Answer A:** During any intra-oral procedure where contact with blood or saliva is imminent Rule 64B5-25.003(8), F.A.C., sets this specific trigger for masks and gloves. In contrast, protective eyewear is required for "any" dental procedure. **Common trap:** Thinking gloves and masks are required for "any" procedure (like eyewear) or only for "surgical" procedures. Source: [Fla. Admin. Code R. 64B5-25.003 — Required Sterilization and Disinfection Procedures](https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=64B5-25.003) ## Next step [Take the free 15-question FHLR practice test](https://dentovio.com/florida-dental-hygiene-laws-rules/free-practice-test) Official reference: [Chapter 466, Florida Statutes — Dentistry, Dental Hygiene, and Dental Laboratories](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0466/0466.html). Original exam-style questions written for study, never recalled exam content. Independent educational preparation, not legal advice, and not affiliated with or endorsed by the Florida Board of Dentistry. Confirm current requirements with the Board.