# Florida FHLR practice questions: Hygienist scope, delegation and supervision Five original Florida FHLR practice questions on hygienist scope, delegation and supervision, each answered on this page with a rationale and a source. Last updated: 2026-09-21. ## Question 1 A Certified Registered Dental Hygienist (CRDH) is scheduled to perform deep scaling and root planing for an adult patient. Because the patient is highly anxious, the supervising dentist administers a minimal oral dose of a sedative (triazolam) 45 minutes prior to the procedure. The dentist remains on the premises. Under Florida law, how should the CRDH proceed with administering the local anesthesia? - A. Refuse to administer the injection because the patient is in a sedated state. - B. Administer the injection as long as the dentist provides direct supervision. - C. Administer the injection only if the patient's vitals remain within normal limits. - D. Administer the injection provided the patient is at least 18 years of age. **Answer A:** Refuse to administer the injection because the patient is in a sedated state. Per s. 466.017(5), F.S., a CRDH may only administer local anesthesia to a "nonsedated patient." Even with direct supervision and the patient being an adult, the sedation status is a statutory barrier. **Common trap:** Assuming direct supervision by a dentist overrides the "nonsedated" requirement. 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 2 A Certified Registered Dental Hygienist (CRDH) is preparing a patient for non-surgical periodontal therapy. The dentist has examined the patient, prescribed the therapy, and is present in the adjacent operatory. The CRDH plans to administer an intraoral block. Under which of the following patient conditions is the CRDH legally prohibited from administering the local anesthetic? - A. The patient is 17 years old and accompanied by a consenting parent. - B. The patient has a documented history of well-controlled hypertension. - C. The patient requires soft tissue infiltration rather than a true block. - D. The patient has requested that the dentist inspect the injection site. **Answer A:** The patient is 17 years old and accompanied by a consenting parent. Florida Rule 64B5-16.006(4)(b) allows a CRDH to administer local anesthesia only to non-sedated patients who are 18 years of age or older. Even with parental consent, the age floor is a strict statutory and rule-based requirement. **Common trap:** Assuming parental consent allows the hygienist to bypass the 18-year-old requirement. Source: [Fla. Admin. Code R. 64B5-16.006 — Remediable Tasks Delegable to a Dental Hygienist](https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=64B5-16.006) ## Question 3 A dental hygienist provides prophylaxis services in a school-based prevention program (a health access setting) without a dentist present. Which of the following correctly describes the medical clearance and follow-up requirements for this unsupervised task? - A. The hygienist must perform a clinical exam before scaling and refer to a dentist within 24 months. - B. A dentist must examine the patient before scaling, and medical clearance must be obtained within 13 months. - C. Medical clearance must be obtained before scaling, and a dentist must examine the patient within 13 months after. - D. No medical clearance is required for scaling if the hygienist carries $100,000/$300,000 malpractice insurance. **Answer C:** Medical clearance must be obtained before scaling, and a dentist must examine the patient within 13 months after. Under s. 466.024(2), F.S., for calculus removal in a health access setting, medical clearance from a physician or dentist must be given before the task, and a dentist exam must occur within 13 months after. **Common trap:** Reversing the order of clearance and exam, or using the 2-year (24-month) prescription timeline. Source: [s. 466.024, F.S. — Delegation of duties; expanded functions](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0466/Sections/0466.024.html) ## Question 4 A patient returns to a dental practice for a routine prophylaxis appointment. The patient's last comprehensive clinical examination by the Florida-licensed dentist of record was exactly 26 months ago. The dentist has authorized the prophylaxis but is not present in the office today. Can the dental hygienist lawfully proceed with the prophylaxis? - A. Yes; prophylaxis is a general supervision task that requires only the initial authorization. - B. Yes; a hygienist may perform prophylactic services without supervision on adults of record. - C. No; general supervision authorizations are valid for a maximum of 24 months without a new exam. - D. No; prophylaxis requires indirect supervision, mandating the dentist's presence on the premises. **Answer C:** No; general supervision authorizations are valid for a maximum of 24 months without a new exam. Rule 64B5-16.001 states that any authorization for remediable tasks to be performed under general supervision is valid for a maximum of 24 months, after which a new clinical examination by a Florida-licensed dentist is required. **Common trap:** Treating general supervision authorizations as open-ended so long as the patient is a "patient of record." Source: [Fla. Admin. Code R. 64B5-16.001 — Definitions of Remediable Tasks and Supervision Levels](https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=64B5-16.001) ## Question 5 A dental hygienist who has completed the mandatory 85-hour training in remediable restorative functions is asked to complete a procedure on a pediatric patient. After the dentist prepares the tooth, the hygienist fits and contours a stainless-steel crown (SSC). Which final step is the hygienist prohibited from performing? - A. Contouring the SSC with a slow-speed handpiece. - B. Using hand instruments to adapt the cervical margins of the SSC. - C. Initialing the patient's chart to document the performance of the task. - D. Applying permanent cement to secure the stainless-steel crown. **Answer D:** Applying permanent cement to secure the stainless-steel crown. Rule 64B5-16.0061, F.A.C., allows trained hygienists to fit and contour SSCs under direct supervision, but explicitly states they "shall not permanently cement stainless steel crowns." **Common trap:** Assuming restorative certification allows the full procedure from prep-to-finish. Source: [Fla. Admin. Code R. 64B5-16.0061 — Delegation of Remediable Restorative Functions to Dental Hygienists; Supervision Level; and Training and…](https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=64B5-16.0061) ## 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.