# Florida FHLR practice questions: Records, advertising and prescribing limits

Five original Florida FHLR practice questions on records, advertising and prescribing limits, each answered on this page with a rationale and a source.

Last updated: 2026-09-21.

## Question 1

A dental hygienist mistakenly enters a clinical note into the wrong patient's physical chart at 9:00 AM. Upon discovering the error at 3:00 PM the same day, the hygienist corrects the entry. To be legally compliant with Florida Board of Dentistry rules, how must this correction appear?

- A. The entry must be completely masked with correction fluid and the correct note rewritten over it.
- B. The original entry must be erased entirely to ensure the chart remains professional and legible.
- C. The entry must be struck through legibly and include the date, time, initials, and an explanation.
- D. The hygienist must remove the page from the chart and rewrite the entire day's notes on a new sheet.

**Answer C:** The entry must be struck through legibly and include the date, time, initials, and an explanation.

Rule 64B5-17.002(2) prohibits removing or masking original entries. Corrections require a legible strike-through, the date, initials, and an explanation. If made on the same date as the original entry, the time must also be included.

**Common trap:** Forgetting the "time" requirement for same-day changes or assuming "neatness" (Options A/B/D) justifies removing original text.

Source: [Fla. Admin. Code R. 64B5-17.002 — Written Dental Records; Minimum Content; Retention](https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=64B5-17.002)

## Question 2

A dentist is preparing to prescribe a Schedule III controlled substance for a 15-year-old patient following a traumatic dental injury. Regarding Florida’s prescription drug monitoring program (E-FORCSE), which of the following is true?

- A. The dentist must consult E-FORCSE because the drug is a Schedule III controlled substance.
- B. The dentist is exempt from consulting E-FORCSE because the patient is under 16.
- C. The dentist must consult E-FORCSE but is exempt from the 3-day supply cap.
- D. The dentist must consult E-FORCSE because the injury is classified as acute pain.

**Answer B:** The dentist is exempt from consulting E-FORCSE because the patient is under 16.

s. 893.055(8), F.S. requires a prescriber or designee to consult the system before prescribing or dispensing a controlled substance for a patient "age 16 or older." Distractor A and D describe reasons why a check might be needed for an adult, but ignore the age threshold. Distractor C incorrectly implies a check is required.

**Common trap:** Applying the 3-day/7-day opioid rules (which apply to all ages) to the E-FORCSE consultation duty (which has an age-16 floor).

Source: [s. 893.055, F.S. — Prescription drug monitoring program](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0800-0899/0893/Sections/0893.055.html)

## Question 3

A 17-year-old patient presents for a procedure. The supervising dentist, who holds a pediatric moderate sedation permit, sedates the patient using an oral sedative. The dentist then directs a Certified Registered Dental Hygienist (CRDH) to administer local anesthesia. How should the CRDH respond?

- A. Perform the injection under the dentist's direct supervision.
- B. Refuse to administer the local anesthesia to this patient.
- C. Administer the local anesthesia only if the patient is also on nitrous oxide.
- D. Perform the injection only if the patient's weight and max dosage are calculated.

**Answer B:** Refuse to administer the local anesthesia to this patient.

Under s. 466.017(5), F.S., and Rule 64B5-14.002(6), a CRDH is prohibited from administering local anesthesia to any patient who is sedated (by any level except certain nitrous-only cases) or any patient under the age of 18.

**Common trap:** Candidates may think the dentist's pediatric permit allows the hygienist to work on minors, but the CRDH statutory authority is strictly limited to non-sedated adults.

Source: [s. 466.017, F.S. — Prescription of drugs; anesthesia](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0466/Sections/0466.017.html)

## Question 4

A dental hygienist is performing unsupervised dental charting at a community health center. During the screening, the hygienist observes significant localized inflammation and wishes to use a periodontal probe to assess pocket depths. Under Florida law, what is required before the probe may be used?

- A. The hygienist must obtain verbal consent from the center's administrative director.
- B. Medical clearance by a physician or dentist must be obtained prior to the use of the probe.
- C. The hygienist must provide a written disclosure that the probe is for diagnostic purposes.
- D. No clearance is required if the hygienist is working in a designated health access setting.

**Answer B:** Medical clearance by a physician or dentist must be obtained prior to the use of the probe.

Statute 466.0235(6) expressly mandates medical clearance by a physician or dentist before a periodontal probe may be used on a person who receives a dental charting.

**Common trap:** Assuming the "health access setting" or "unsupervised" status waives the clearance requirement for instrumentation.

Source: [s. 466.0235, F.S. — Dental charting](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0466/Sections/0466.0235.html)

## Question 5

A patient responds to a flyer offering a "Free Pediatric Dental Screening." On Tuesday, the patient receives the free screening and agrees to an additional, paid fluoride treatment that same day. Under Florida law, what right does the patient or person responsible for payment possess?

- A. The right to a full refund for the fluoride treatment if requested in writing within 30 days.
- B. The right to refuse to pay or be reimbursed for the fluoride treatment within 72 hours of responding.
- C. The right to receive a copy of the ADA procedure code for the screening before the next business day.
- D. No right of refusal exists because the patient provided verbal consent for the additional treatment.

**Answer B:** The right to refuse to pay or be reimbursed for the fluoride treatment within 72 hours of responding.

Section 456.062 gives patients the right to refuse to pay, cancel payment, or be reimbursed for any other service performed within 72 hours of responding to an ad for free or discounted services.

**Common trap:** Thinking the refund applies to the free service itself or that the window is 24 hours.

Source: [s. 456.062, F.S. — Advertisement by a health care practitioner of free or discounted services; required statement](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0456/Sections/0456.062.html)

## 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.