Dental Assisting-General Chairside Exam

1) Which of the following is a characteristic of
aggressive brushing?

A. Abrasion
B. Attrition
C. Abfraction
D. Erosion

2) A diet high in cholesterol is frequently associated
with which of the following?

A. Hepatitis
B. Diabetes
C. Hypotension
D. Arteriosclerosis

3) The PRIMARY cause of periodontal disease is?

A. lack of vitamins and minerals.
B. calculus.
C. inadequate diet.
D. bacterial plaque.

4) Which of the following procedures is used to revive a patient who exhibits symptoms of syncope?

A. Apply hot towels to patient's face
B.Administer liquids.
C. Elevate feet above head.
D. Place patient in upright position.

5) A periosteal elevator is used to?

A. make an incision in the soft tissue.
B. remove a tooth from its socket after it has been
loosened.
C. detach the gingival tissue around the neck of
the tooth.
D. remove debris and infectious material from a
socket.

6) What type of matrix is recommended for a Class lll
composite resin on tooth #B?

A. 'T'band
B. Tofflemire
C. Polycarbonate crown form
D. Celluloid (plastic) strip

7) An undermixed dental amalgam will appear?

A. shiny.
B. fluid.
C. grainy.
D. smooth.

8) The MOST effective fluoride results are obtained from?

A. dentifrices.
B. mouthwashes.
C. community water fluoridation.
D. topical application.

9) Why should an assistant remain in the room with a patient following the administration of a local anesthesia ?
A. For legal protection
B. To determine when the anesthesia takes effect
C. To talk with the patient to help relieve anxieties
D. ln case an adverse reaction occurs

10) Which instrument is used PRIMARILY to adapt the margins of amalgam and gold restorations?

A. File
B. Plugger
C. Carver
D. Burnisher

11) A 68-year-old patient with a history of angina pectoris starts complaining of chest pains and
dizziness while having a tooth extracted what are the FIRST steps that should be taken?

A. stop procedure, place a tablet of nitroglycerin under the tongue and administer oxygen.
B. stop procedure and administer oxygen and caffeine sodium benzoate intramuscularly.
C. Administer oxygen and continue procedure.
D. Place nitroglycerin under tongue and administer
Demerol 1 00 milligrams intramuscularly.

12) The biggest concern in placing an osseous dental implant is

A. over-irrigating the site.
B. over-heating the bone.
C. over-extending the incision.
D. over-reflecting the flap.

13) lf the dentist prescribes ingestible fluoride for the children, which of the following must be done prior to determining the dosage required?

A. Ask if the children use a fluoridated dentifrice.
B. Test the water for levels of existing fluoride.
C. Check for the severity of caries in the children.
D. Take radiographs to determine the presence of developing teeth.

14) A patient with a 10 mm
expected to have which maxillary overjet would be of the following conditions?

A. Class I malocclusion with severe crowding
B. Class ll, division 1 malocclusion
C. Class ll, division 2 malocclusion
D. Class lll malocclusion

15) on a health history, a patient indicates a history of rheumatic heart disease. which of the following isthe dentist likely to require for the patient prior to
dental treatment?

A. Blood pressure measurement
B. Prophylactic antibiotics
C. Blood glucose test
D. Fasting for 12 hours

16) The PRIMARY task in patient seizure management is to

A. protect the patient from injury.
B. actively restrain the patient's movement.
C. place a mouth prop to avoid tongue biting or
swallowing.
D. turn the patient on his side to prevent aspiration
of vomitus.

17) The PRIMARY purpose of the spoon excavator is to

A. apply cavity liner medication.
B. carve anatomic contours into amalgam
restorations.
C. remove excess cement
D. remove debris and soft tooth from a carious

18) which of the following is most helpful in PREVENTING an emergency in the dental office?

A. Record vital signs preoperatively.
B. Update and evaluate medical history.
C. Have a workable emergency plan.
D. Do not leave the patient alone in the operatory.

19) Which of the following materials is MOST OFTEN
used for a temporary restoration?

A. Class ionomer
B. Calcium hydroxide
C. Zinc oxide-eugenol
D. Polycarboxylate

20) If the patient is in insulin shock and conscious,which of the following would be administered?

A. Oxygen
B. lnsulin
C. Orange juice
D. Dextrose lV

21) Which of the following is the BEST means of ensuring models
proper occlusion when trimming study?

A. secure the models to each other with hot wax.
B. Use a wax bite registration.
C. Observe the patient's occlusion.
D. Mount the models on an articulator.

22) What vitamin is the MOST
gingiva?

A. Vitamin C
B. Vitamin D
C. Vitamin E
D. Vitamin K
important to healthy

23) What effect could cola drinks have on tooth enamel?

A. Attrition
B. Hypercalcification
C. Erosion
D. Hypoplasia

24) A stone dental model differs from a plaster model in that the stone is

A. harder.
B. more porous.
C. weaker.
D. lighter.

25) lf cardiac arrest is suspected, the artery to check first for a palpable pulse is the

A. carotid.
B. radial.
C. apical.
D. femoral.

26) Which of the following giving off heat during mixing?

A. Zinc phosphate
B. Zinc oxide-eugenol
C. Carboxylate
D. Calcium hydroxide

27) ln selecting an impression tray for maxillary impression, the tray should

A. beyond the tuberosity.
B. beyond the hamular process
C. to the junction of the hard and soft palate
D. to the fauces.
a preliminary
extend posteriorly
soft palates.

28) which of the following describes the appropriate consistency of a mix of zinc phosphate cement to
be used as a base?

A. Thin
B. Powdery
C. Thick
D. Dry

29) which of the following describes a severe allergic reaction that may cause circulatory collapse?

A. Syncope
B. Anaphylactic shock
C. Diabetic coma
D. Angina pectoris

30) For oral evacuation during a maxillary anterior facial preparation, the evacuator tip

A. to the lingual of the tooth being prepared.
B. to the facial of the tooth being prepared.
c. maxillary right posterior to the tooth being
prepared.
D. mandibular right posterior to the tooth being
prepared.

31) A patient's respiratory rate has increased from 12 to 25 per minute. He is flushed and perspiring, and expresses apprehension about an anticipated dental treatment. These signs may indicate

A. narcotic overdose.
B. hyperventilation.
C. insuIin shock.
D. anaphylactic shock.

32) While a topical flouride application is in progress a saliva ejector is placed in a patient's mouth to

A. provide stabilization of the fluoride trays.
B. retract the tongue and cheek.
C. circulate the fluoride evenly.
D. prevent the patient from swallowing excess fluoride.

33) Which of the following describes a pulpectomy?

A. Partial excision of the pulp
B. Complete excision of the pulp
C. Excision of the apical portion of the tooth
D. Exposure of the apical portion of the tooth

34) Large amounts of,salicylates (aspirin) are MOST
likely to affect a patient's

A. sensitivity to antibiotics.
B. tolerance to general anesthesia.
C. bleeding and clotting time.
D. response to local anesthetics.

35) The MOST important factor in promoting healthy
gingival tissue is

A. aggressive brushing.
B. effective plaque control.
C. use of hydrogen peroxide rinses.
D. a diet containing increased amounts of protein.

36) The probable cause of parasthesia following the
injection of local anesthesia is/are

A. a contaminated needle.
B. poor instructions to the patient or guardian
concerning anesthesia.
C. an injury to the nerve.
D. an injury to blood vessels creating a bsrn3tgmg

37) Temporary crowns in the mouth with are MOST commonly cemented

A. zinc phosphate.
B. polycarboxylate.
C. zincoxide-eugenol.
D. glass ionomer.

38) When extracting a mandibular molar, which nerve needs to be blocked in addition to the inferior alveolar and lingual nerves?

A. Mandibular
B. Palatine
C. Long buccal
D. Posterior superior alveolar

39) Tooth #5 normally replaces primary tooth

A. A.
B. B.
C. l.
D. J.

40) lf an error has been made on a clinical record entry,which of the following should be done?

A. Erase the error and rewrite the entry correctly.
B. Mark through the incorrect entry so that it cannot be read.
C. Draw one line through the incorrect entry and initial and write the correct entry below.
D. Circle the incorrect entry in red.
E. Do nothing to the incorrect entry; just rewrite
the entry correctly.

41) When measuring blood
be seated with the arm
pressure, the patient should
in which position?

A. At rest with the arm and hand extended down
B. Slightly flexed, With forearm supported at heart level
C. Rigid with arm straight out from body
D. Position of arm is not important

42) When a right-handed dentist is preparing the occlusal of tooth #14, the dental assistant is responsible for retracting the patient's

A. lower lip.
B. left cheek.
C. tongue.
D. right cheek.

43) Nitrous oxide analgesia is NOT usually recommended for patients who

A. have nasal congestion.
B. are apprehensive.
C. are obese.
D. have a sensitive gag reflex.

44) lf a patient has collapsed, the first thing to do is to

A. establish level of responsiveness.
B. call for emergency cart.
C. establish an airway.
D. administer oxygen.

45) Which of the following bur/handpiece combinations would most often be used for removing the
carious dentin from the cavity preparation?

A. #4 bur in a lowspeed handpiece
B. #56 bur in a highspeed handpiece
C. #330 bur in a highspeed handpiece
D. #702 bur in a lowspeed handpiece

46) The chief advantage of light-activated sealant material as compared to the self-polymerizing
material is that

A. its working time is more flexible.
B. less sealant material is required
C. it comes in different colors.
D. it can be applied interproximally.

47) Nitroglycerin administered sublingually is normally used to control

A. bleeding.
B. angina pectoris.
C. high blood pressure.
D. anxiety.

48) When a patient fails to keep an appointment, this information should be recorded on the chart because

A.that patient's insurance will pay the broken appointment fee.
B.this is contributory negligence on the part of the patient.
C.the insurance carrier must be notified.
D.this is effective treatment management on the
part of the dentist.

49) A sign of gingivitis may be

A. bleeding.
B. tooth mobility.
C. increase in sulcular depth.
D. pointed papillae.

50) When assisting during oral surgery the dental assistant should NEVER

A. wipe oral tissue with gauze.
B. blow air to clear the socket.
C. flush the area with water.
D. suction near the anesthetized area.