Minnesota Dental Jurisprudence Practice Exam

What can a licensed dental assistant apply under the dentist's prescription?

1. Tooth whitening agents only

2. Cavity varnishes only

3. Topical medications, including bleaching agents and cavity varnishes

4. Any medications available

The correct answer is: Topical medications, including bleaching agents and cavity varnishes

A licensed dental assistant, operating under the authority of a dentist's prescription, is permitted to apply topical medications, including bleaching agents and cavity varnishes. This reflects both the training and legal scope of practice for licensed dental assistants in Minnesota, which allows them to work with products intended for direct patient application under supervision. The inclusion of topical medications signifies that dental assistants can assist in procedures that involve treating patients with specific dental products, aligning their duties with the dentist's treatment plan. In this framework, the dental assistant serves a critical role in enhancing patient care by applying these agents as prescribed, thus contributing to the dental health of their patients. Focusing on the other options, tooth whitening agents and cavity varnishes are part of the broader category of topical medications. By specifying "only" for these agents, the other choices limit the scope of what a dental assistant may apply, which does not reflect the comprehensive authorization granted under prescription. The option suggesting that any medications available can be applied lacks the required oversight typically necessary in dental practice, as it does not consider the importance of a dentist's discretion in prescribing specific treatments tailored to individual patient needs.