# Florida FDLR practice questions: Records and advertising

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

Last updated: 2026-07-27.

## 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 Florida-licensed general dentist posts a graphic on their professional social media page stating: "The best implants in the county! Premium crowns for $999." The post contains no other text. According to Florida statutes and rules, which of the following describes the legal violations present in this advertisement?

- A. The ad fails to disclose third-party financing limits and creates an unlawful solicitation.
- B. The ad lacks a recommendation for an in-person exam required for all social media posts.
- C. The ad constitutes a felony because social media is not a permitted medium for advertising fees.
- D. The ad contains laudatory/comparative statements and lacks a mandatory minimum-fee disclaimer.

**Answer D:** The ad contains laudatory/comparative statements and lacks a mandatory minimum-fee disclaimer.

Section 466.019(3) prohibits "laudatory statements" (self-praise like "best") and quality comparisons. It also requires all fee information to be accompanied by a disclaimer that the fee is a "minimum fee only."

**Common trap:** The California trap is thinking about "material limits" or "financing" rather than the specific Florida "minimum fee" disclaimer.

Source: [s. 466.019, F.S. — Advertising by dentists](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0466/Sections/0466.019.html)

## Question 3

A solo practitioner in Florida passes away unexpectedly. According to Board of Dentistry rules, what is the maximum timeframe for the estate to place the patient records in the care of another Florida licensed dentist?

- A. 90 days
- B. 30 days
- C. One month
- D. Six months

**Answer A:** 90 days

Rule 64B5-17.001(2) gives the estate or agent 90 days to place records with another Florida licensed dentist and publish the required notice.

**Common trap:** Confusing the 90-day death clock with the 30-day/one-month clock for relocation or termination of practice.

Source: [Fla. Admin. Code R. 64B5-17.001 — Required Availability of Dental Records Upon Relocation or Termination of Practice, or Death of Practitioner](https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=64B5-17.001)

## Question 4

A local news station conducts a short, unpaid interview with a dentist about oral health. During the segment, the dentist mentions that their office is "now accepting new patients for affordable whitening." Does this televised segment fall under Florida advertising regulations?

- A. No, because the segment was not a paid advertisement and the dentist did not quote a specific price or fee.
- B. No, because televised broadcast media is regulated by federal law rather than the Board of Dentistry.
- C. Yes, because advertising rules apply to media exposure of any nature regardless of whether it is paid.
- D. Yes, but only if the news station also provides a link to the dentist's professional website.

**Answer C:** Yes, because advertising rules apply to media exposure of any nature regardless of whether it is paid.

Rule 64B5-4.002(1) applies to "media exposure of any nature regardless of whether it is in the form of paid advertising" if it is intended to further the offering of services.

**Common trap:** Assuming that only "paid" ads are regulated.

Source: [Fla. Admin. Code R. 64B5-4.002 — Advertising and Soliciting by Dentists](https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=64B5-4.002)

## Question 5

A patient requests copies of their dental records and radiographs to be sent to a new office. The patient currently owes $1,200 for a completed crown. Which of the following best describes the office's obligations regarding the release of these records?

- A. The office may legally withhold the records until the $1,200 treatment balance is paid.
- B. The office must provide the records for free because the patient has an outstanding bill.
- C. The office must provide copies in less than 45 days and may charge a reasonable handling fee.
- D. The office must provide copies in less than 30 days and may only condition release on the copying fee.

**Answer D:** The office must provide copies in less than 30 days and may only condition release on the copying fee.

Statute 456.057(6) and Rule 64B5-17.009 prohibit conditioning the release of records on payment for services rendered. The office may only require the copying fee itself (capped at the county court clerk's per-page rate, actual cost for X-rays), payable on delivery of the copies.

**Common trap:** Thinking an unpaid treatment balance is a valid reason to hold records "hostage" (the most common Florida disciplinary trap).

Source: [Fla. Admin. Code R. 64B5-17.009 — Patient Records; Copying Charges; Timely Release](https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=64B5-17.009)

## 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.