Here’s a detailed multiple-choice practice test for the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam.
The test includes 50 questions, covering topics like chairside assisting, radiation health and safety, and infection control.
Answers are provided at the end.
Good luck!
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Question 1 |
What is the primary role of a dental assistant during a restorative procedure?
Administer anesthesia | |
Assist with the dental charting | |
Provide instrument transfer and suction | |
Diagnose patient conditions |
Question 2 |
What is the correct instrument for placing a composite filling?
Explorer | |
Ball burnisher | |
Composite placement instrument | |
Amalgam condenser |
Question 3 |
Which of the following is used to isolate a tooth during a procedure?
Dental dam | |
Saliva ejector | |
Articulating paper | |
Cotton roll |
Question 4 |
What is the name of the process of removing decay from a tooth?
Restoration | |
Excavation | |
Scaling | |
Curing |
Question 5 |
Which of the following is NOT a step in cavity preparation?
Decay removal | |
Tooth etching | |
Crown placement | |
Placement of a liner |
Question 6 |
Which of the following radiation types is used in dental radiography?
Gamma rays | |
X-rays | |
UV rays | |
Infrared rays |
Question 7 |
The term “ALARA” stands for:
As Low As Reasonably Available | |
As Long As Radiation Avoided | |
As Long As Radiation Avoided | |
As Little As Radiation Allowed |
Question 8 |
How often should the dental assistant check the lead apron for damage?
Daily | |
Monthly | |
Annually | |
Every five years |
Question 9 |
What technique is commonly used when taking a periapical radiograph?
Bisecting angle technique | |
Occlusal technique | |
Paralleling technique | |
Extraoral technique |
Question 10 |
Which component of the x-ray machine filters out long wavelengths?
Collimator | |
Anode | |
Filter | |
Control panel |
Question 11 |
What is the first step in preparing an instrument for sterilization?
Place it in a sterilization pouch | |
Pre-clean it to remove debris | |
Rinse with alcohol | |
Soak in a disinfectant |
Question 12 |
Which method is most effective for sterilizing dental handpieces?
Cold sterilization | |
Steam under pressure (autoclaving) | |
Chemical vapor sterilization | |
Dry heat sterilization |
Question 13 |
What is the minimum required temperature for an autoclave to sterilize instruments?
121°C (250°F) | |
100°C (212°F) | |
140°C (284°F) | |
110°C (230°F) |
Question 14 |
How often should biological indicators be used to test sterilization equipment?
Daily | |
Weekly | |
Monthly | |
Quarterly |
Question 15 |
The term “standard precautions” refers to:
Treating all patients as potentially infectious | |
Using personal protective equipment only for certain procedures | |
Sterilizing instruments after surgical procedures | |
Disinfecting operatory surfaces after blood exposure |
Question 16 |
Which type of dental bur is used for polishing restorations?
Diamond bur | |
Finishing bur | |
Carbide bur | |
Surgical bur |
Question 17 |
Which type of matrix band is commonly used for Class II restorations?
Tofflemire matrix band | |
Sectional matrix band | |
Copper band | |
T-band |
Question 18 |
What is the purpose of a dental sealant?
To fill cavities | |
To bond orthodontic brackets | |
To prevent caries in pits and fissures | |
To restore tooth structure |
Question 19 |
Which of the following is used to adjust the occlusion of a restoration?
Amalgam condenser | |
Articulating paper | |
Prophy cup | |
Explorer |
Question 20 |
When assisting during oral surgery, what is the dental assistant’s primary responsibility?
Administering anesthesia | |
Maintaining the sterile field | |
Diagnosing oral conditions | |
Performing suturing |
Question 21 |
What is the purpose of a collimator in an X-ray machine?
To increase radiation intensity | |
To focus the x-ray beam | |
To filter out harmful wavelengths | |
To reduce scatter radiation |
Question 22 |
What is the ideal kilovoltage (kVp) range for dental radiography?
40–50 kVp | |
40–50 kVp | |
80–90 kVp | |
100–120 kVp |
Question 23 |
Which film size is most commonly used for bitewing radiographs in adults?
Size 0 | |
Size 1 | |
Size 2 | |
Size 3 |
Question 24 |
What is the recommended position for the operator when taking x-rays?
At a 90°–135° angle to the beam | |
Directly in front of the beam | |
Directly behind the patient | |
At a 45° angle to the beam |
Question 25 |
Which type of radiograph provides a full view of the upper and lower arches?
Periapical radiograph | |
Bitewing radiograph | |
Panoramic radiograph | |
Occlusal radiograph |
Question 26 |
How long should dental unit waterlines be flushed between patients?
10 seconds | |
20–30 seconds | |
1 minute | |
2 minutes |
Question 27 |
What is the most common method for disinfecting surfaces in the operatory?
Steam sterilization | |
Use of chemical disinfectants | |
Ultrasonic cleaning | |
Alcohol wipe |
Question 28 |
What type of gloves should be worn during instrument processing?
Latex gloves | |
Vinyl gloves | |
Utility gloves | |
Nitrile gloves |
Question 29 |
When should the high-volume evacuator (HVE) system be disinfected?
Daily | |
Weekly | |
Monthly | |
After each patient |
Question 30 |
Which of the following is considered a critical item in infection control?
Dental chair | |
Dental handpiece | |
X-ray control panel | |
Dental bib |
Question 31 |
What is the first step in treating a chemical burn to the skin?
Apply an antiseptic | |
Flush with water | |
Cover with gauze | |
Apply a cold compress |
Question 32 |
Which of the following is NOT part of the HIPAA regulations?
Patient confidentiality | |
Secure storage of records | |
Public disclosure of health records | |
Patient access to their own records |
Question 33 |
What is the best way to prevent cross-contamination during dental procedures?
Reuse disposable instruments | |
Wash hands between patients | |
Sterilize gloves between uses | |
Wipe instruments with alcohol |
Question 34 |
Which emergency drug is used to treat anaphylactic shock?
Nitroglycerin | |
Epinephrine | |
Albuterol | |
Aspirin |
Question 35 |
What is the primary component of dental amalgam?
Gold | |
Mercury | |
Copper | |
Tin |
Question 36 |
How often should a patient’s medical history be updated?
Annually | |
Before each appointment | |
Every six months | |
Every two years |
Question 37 |
Which of the following is a common symptom of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder?
Bleeding gums | |
Jaw clicking or popping | |
Tooth discoloration | |
Bad breath |
Question 38 |
What is the purpose of fluoride treatment?
To remove calculus | |
To strengthen enamel and prevent decay | |
To whiten teeth | |
To fill cavities |
Question 39 |
Which of the following instruments is used for scaling and root planing?
Explorer | |
Curette | |
Burnisher | |
Scaler |
Question 40 |
What is the term for the study of diseases of the mouth?
Orthodontics | |
Oral pathology | |
Prosthodontics | |
Periodontics |
Question 41 |
Which of the following is used to retract the cheek during a dental procedure?
Mouth mirror | |
Cotton roll | |
Saliva ejector | |
HVE tip |
Question 42 |
What is the correct ratio for diluting bleach to use as a disinfectant in the dental office?
1:5 | |
1:10 | |
1:100 | |
1:50 |
Question 43 |
What is the function of a dental liner in restorative procedures?
To bond the restoration to the tooth | |
To protect the pulp from thermal shock | |
To seal the enamel | |
To remove decay |
Question 44 |
Which of the following x-ray errors occurs when the film is exposed to light before processing?
Fogged film | |
Overexposed film | |
Light image | |
Dark image |
Question 45 |
What personal protective equipment (PPE) is required during ultrasonic cleaning of instruments?
Gloves and mask only | |
Gloves, mask, gown, and protective eyewear | |
Gloves and protective eyewear only | |
Mask and gown only |
Question 46 |
How often should sterilization pouches and indicators be used during autoclaving?
Every other cycle | |
Only for critical instruments | |
With every cycle | |
Once per day |
Question 47 |
Which type of fluoride is most commonly used in a dental office?
Sodium fluoride | |
Stannous fluoride | |
Acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) | |
Calcium fluoride |
Question 48 |
Which is the recommended method for disposing of needles and other sharp objects?
In a trash can lined with a biohazard bag | |
In a puncture-resistant sharps container | |
In a chemical disinfectant solution | |
In an autoclave-safe container |
Question 49 |
What is the main advantage of digital radiography compared to traditional film?
Lower cost of equipment | |
Elimination of patient exposure to radiation | |
Immediate image availability | |
Increased image size |
Question 50 |
Which dental specialty focuses on the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases?
Endodontics | |
Prosthodontics | |
Periodontics | |
Orthodontics |
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There are 50 questions to complete.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Dental Assistant