# Florida FDLR practice questions: Infection control and practice settings Five original Florida FDLR 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 high-volume dental office utilizes a steam-under-pressure autoclave for instrument sterilization. In a busy month, the autoclave accumulates 40 hours (2,400 minutes) of use within the first 10 days. According to Florida rules, when must the efficacy of this sterilizer be verified by biological monitoring? - A. At least once every seven days - B. At least once every 40 hours of use or 30 days, whichever comes first - C. At least once every 120 hours of operation or 30 days, whichever comes first - D. On the last business day of the month, regardless of accumulated cycle time **Answer B:** At least once every 40 hours of use or 30 days, whichever comes first Rule 64B5-25.003(9), F.A.C., sets the 40-hour (2,400-minute) use-time or 30-day limit for steam-under-pressure and chemical vapor sterilizers. In this scenario, the 40-hour mark was hit before the 30-day mark, so the test is due immediately. **Common trap:** Selecting the 120-hour limit, which only applies to dry heat and ethylene oxide sterilizers. 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 3 Dr. Aris utilizes a commercial dental laboratory to fabricate several units of crown and bridge work. During a routine department inspection of the dental office, the inspector asks to review the work order prescriptions for prosthetics delivered over the past three years. Under Florida law, what is Dr. Aris's legal obligation regarding these records? - A. The dentist must retain the original written prescriptions for at least 7 years. - B. The dentist must retain a copy of each prescription for a period of 4 years. - C. The dentist must retain the original prescriptions for 4 years, while the lab keeps copies for 7 years. - D. The dentist is only required to retain a digital log of the patient names and delivery dates for 2 years. **Answer B:** The dentist must retain a copy of each prescription for a period of 4 years. Per s. 466.021, F.S., the prescribing dentist is required to retain a copy of the prescription in the office for 4 years, while the laboratory must retain the original for 4 years. **Common trap:** The 7-year retention period is a common standard in other states (like California) or for certain HIPAA/federal records, but Florida statutes specifically mandate a 4-year period for lab work orders. Source: [s. 466.021, F.S. — Retention of dental laboratories by dentist; penalty](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0466/Sections/0466.021.html) ## Question 4 A Florida dentist operates three dental office locations. The dentist keeps an automatic external defibrillator (AED) at the main office but does not have units at the two satellite locations. What is the legal status of the dentist's practice at the satellite locations? - A. Compliant, as long as an AED is reachable within 10 minutes - B. Compliant, provided the satellite offices only perform hygiene exams - C. Below the minimum standard of care because the units are not on site - D. Below the minimum standard of care only if a medical emergency occurs **Answer C:** Below the minimum standard of care because the units are not on site Rule 64B5-17.015, F.A.C., requires an AED at "every dental office location." Practicing without one on site deems the dentist to be practicing below the minimum standard of care regardless of outcomes. **Common trap:** Thinking one AED can be shared between nearby locations or that it's only required for "major" offices. Source: [Fla. Admin. Code R. 64B5-17.015 — Office Safety Requirement](https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=64B5-17.015) ## Question 5 A Florida-licensed dentist conducts a synchronous video evaluation for a patient of record who is experiencing acute dental pain following a complex extraction. The dentist determines that the patient requires a potent analgesic. Under Florida telehealth statutes, which of the following is correct regarding a Schedule II controlled substance prescription? - A. The dentist may prescribe the medication if the patient is a patient of record with an emergency. - B. The dentist may prescribe the medication if the telehealth platform uses end-to-end encryption. - C. The dentist may not prescribe a Schedule II controlled substance via telehealth for this patient. - D. The dentist may only prescribe the medication if they also conduct an in-person physical exam within 24 hours. **Answer C:** The dentist may not prescribe a Schedule II controlled substance via telehealth for this patient. s. 456.47, F.S. prohibits telehealth providers from prescribing Schedule II substances unless the treatment is for a psychiatric disorder, hospital inpatient, hospice, or nursing home resident. None of these exceptions apply to routine acute dental pain. **Common trap:** Candidates may assume that "patient of record" or "emergency" status creates an exception for acute pain management. 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) ## Next step [Take the free 15-question FDLR practice test](https://dentovio.com/florida-dental-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.