2024 Edition

Dental Assistant / Hygienist Practice Test

Take this free practice test to see what type of questions are on dental assistant and dental hygienist certification tests.

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Dental Assistant Exam

1.	Two red vertical lines drawn between the upper central incisors on a patient chart would indicate:
		a. Extraction of a mesiodens
		b. Diastema
		c. Drifting
		d. Fixed bridge
Diastema - a space between the upper central incisors Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

2.	What is added to an anesthetic agent to lengthen the effect by decreasing blood flow?
		a. Vasoconstrictors
		b. Vasodilators
		c. Lidocaine
		d. Septocaine
Vasoconstrictors act by constricting the blood vessels thereby decreasing blood flow in the area and lengthening the amount of time that the local anesthetic is active in that location. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

3.	Which of the following are the most frequently injured primary teeth?
		a. Maxillary central incisors
		b. Mandibular central incisors
		c. Maxillary central and lateral incisors
		d. Mandibular central and lateral incisors
Maxillary central incisors are the most frequently injured primary teeth. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

4.	In which of the following situations should utility gloves be worn?
		a. X-ray processing
		b. Instrument sterilization
		c. Patient examination
		d. None of the above
Utility gloves should be worn during instrument sterilization. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

5.	What is the recommended size of x-ray beams, which are targeted toward the patient's face for dental radiographs?
		a. 2"
		b. 3"
		c. 2.75"
		d. 3.75"
2.75" is the appropriate and recommended size of x-ray beams that are to be targeted toward a patient's face during dental radiographs. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Dental Hygienist Exam

6.	Decalcification and demineralization of tooth enamel begins at what pH?
		a. 3.3
		b. 5.5
		c. 6.6
		d. 7.7
5.5 pH is the acidic level at which decalcification and demineralization of tooth enamel begins to occur. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

7.	Wedge-shaped lesions along the cervical margin of the teeth are referred to as _________.
		a. Erosion
		b. Abrasion
		c. Abfraction
		d. Attrition
Abfractions are the wedge-shaped lesion along the cervical margin of the teeth, usually due to fatigue or flexing of the tooth. The excess flexing causes enamel to chip off of the tooth in this area, exposing the dentin. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

8.	Which type of pocket is generated by an apical migration of the junctional epithelium?
		a. Periodontal
		b. Gingival
		c. Suprabony
		d. False
Periodontal pockets are the result of loss of junctional epithelium in an apical direction, indicative of bone loss. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

9.	What type of cement is widely used in dentistry for bonding, temporary fillings and temporary cement?
		a. Glass ionomer
		b. Zinc phosphate
		c. Zinc polycarboxylate
		d. Zinc oxide and eugenol
Zinc oxide and eugenol cement is widely used in dentistry and has many purposes including impressions, temporary cement or fillings, bonding and even periodontal dressing. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

10.	What is the ideal angle of instrumentation for calculus removal?
		a. 60-80 degrees
		b. 0-40 degrees
		c. 20-50 degrees
		d. 40-60 degrees
60-80 degrees is ideal for calculus removal. This angulation is in regards to the face of the instrument to the tooth. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.