Here are some free exam practice questions & answers for Dental Assistants Level 2 Licesning written exam:

Question 1: During patient education, a patient asked about the general difference between the analgesic drugs and anesthetics that are used in dentistry. The general difference between the two is?

Option A – Analgesics produce the inability to feel pain & other bodily sensations.

Option B – Analgesics can produce unconsciousness.

Option C – Anesthetics produce the loss of bodily sensation.

Option D – Anesthetics cannot produce unconsciousness.

The correct Answer is – Option C – Anesthetics produce the loss of bodily sensation.

Here is the explanation:

• Analgesics produce the inability to feel pain only. 
• Other bodily sensations can still be felt with an analgesic. 
• Whereas, anesthetics produce the loss of bodily sensations. 
• Some anesthetics can also produce unconsciousness.

Question 2: Which of the following is an example of a non-stochastic health effect?

Option A – Altered DNA.

Option B – Hair loss.

Option C – Genetic mutation.

Option D – Cancer.

The correct Answer is – Option B – Hair loss.

Here is the explanation:

• Altered DNA, genetic mutation, and cancer – All are stochastic effects of radiation. Stochastic effects of ionising radiation are chance events, with the probability of the effect increasing with dose, but the severity of the effect is independent of the dose received.
• Non-stochastic effects are often referred to as radiation poisoning since the symptoms usually onset quickly and can worsen with increased exposure. 
• Symptoms often appear after short-term, high-level exposures. 
• Many of the symptoms will stop or go away altogether after the exposure has stopped.
• Examples of nonstochastic effects include erythema (skin reddening), skin and tissue burns, cataract formation, hair loss, sterility, radiation sickness etc

Question 3: When hands are not visibly soiled, for how long dental health workers should rub with cleansers?

Option A – 5 seconds.

Option B – 10 seconds.

Option C – 20 – 30 seconds.

Option D – 15 – 30 seconds.

The correct Answer is – Option C – 20 – 30 seconds.

Here is the explanation:

• The Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommend hand rubbing when the hands are not visibly soiled.
• Dental health workers should rub their hands for 20 – 30 seconds with cleaning products.

Question 4: Why should the developer solution be kept covered?

Option A – To prevent reduction.

Option B – To prevent oxidation.

Option C – To assist with oxidation.

Option D – To concentrate the solution.

The correct Answer is – Option B – To prevent oxidation.

Here is the explanation:

• Dental personnel can minimize cross-contamination by keeping the developing solutions covered. 
• The developer solutions should also be kept covered to prevent oxidation and evaporation.

Reference is taken from:

DENTAL ASSISTING – A Comprehensive Approach 4th Edition.

– Chapter 22 Production and Evaluation of Dental Radiographs Page no 454 – 494.

– Chapter 23 Extraoral and Digital Radiography Page No 500 – 522.

Question 5: If you want to decrease the working time of a gypsum product, which of the following is an appropriate strategy?

Option A – Decrease the water temperature.

Option B – Increase the water temperature.

Option C – Stir the product vigorously.

Option D – Shake the product gently.

The correct Answer is – Option B – Increase the water temperature.

Here is the explanation:

• Gypsum sets when the plaster or stone transforms back to the dihydrate through a chemical reaction. This process gives off heat, called an exothermic reaction.
• The temperature of the water increases or decreases the setting time.
• The hotter the water, the more rapidly the material sets.

Reference is taken from:

Dental Assisting – A Comprehensive Approach 4th Edition 

 – Chapter 35 – Laboratory Materials and Techniques- Page No.890.

Question 6: All except which of the following may be used to scrape and widen the walls of the canal during endontic treatment?

Option A – Broaches.

Option B – K-type files.

Option C – K-type files.

Option D – Flex files.

The correct Answer is – Option  A – Broaches.

Here is the explanation:

• K files,H files and Flex files are used to scrape and widen the canal.
• Function of Braoch is to remove pulp tissue from the canal(s).
• Characteristics are:

– Working end—Barbed wire protrusions on shaft grab and remove vital or nonvital pulp fibres.

– Handles—Color-coded according to size.

– Range of sizes—Diameter increases with size.

Reference is taken from:

Dental Instruments – A Pocket Guide, 6th edition.

 – Chapter 11. Endodontic Instruments-pg 281

Question 7: A patient who has had her wisdom teeth extracted returns complaining of radiating pain in her jaw. She cannot localize the pain but says it is throbbing and severe. This patient is displaying symptoms of which of the following?

Option A – Gingival abscess.

Option B – Alveolar osteitis.

Option C – Alveolar abscess.

Option D – Parasthesia.

The correct Answer is – Option B – Alveolar osteitis.

Here is the explanation:

• This patient is displaying symptoms of what is sometimes called dry socket, an infection of the bone that sometimes follows dental extraction.
• Sedative dressings and oral analgesics can help manage pain. 
• The condition is self-limiting and heals in a few days.

Reference is taken from:

Dental Assisting – A Comprehensive Approach, 4th edition.

 – Chapter 25 – Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery- Page. 549-590.

Question 8: When performing surgical bur exchange, which of the following is the FINAL step before returning the instrument to the operator?

Option A – Attach the new bur.

Option B – Remove the used bur.

Option C – Give the newly attached bur a slight tug.

Option D – Test the newly attached bur to make sure it works.

The correct Answer is – Option C – Give the newly attached bur a slight tug.

Here is the explanation:

Changing Burs in the Handpiece

• Bur transfer should take place over the patient’s chest. 
• The assistant will remove the used bur, attach the new one selected, and give it a slight tug to ensure it is properly attached.
• The locking of burs or high-speed handpieces operates with a friction-grip mechanism, which is different than the locking mechanism or a slow-speed handpiece.

Reference is taken from:

Essentials Of Dental Assisting, 6th edition.

 – Chapter 19- Instruments, Handpieces, and Accessories – Page. 306

Question 9: A 10 year old patient has decayed first molars but no decay on the second molars. The dentist recommends sealants and fillings. The patient’s parent wants to know why they should get a sealant placed on the second molars? The BEST answer is?

Option A – Sealants can be placed on teeth after fillings.

Option B – Sealants should be placed on the teeth before they decay.

Option C – The second molars do not really need a sealant.

Option D – Sealants can be placed on the teeth at any time.

Correct Answer is – Option  B – Sealants should be placed on the teeth before they decay.

Here is the explanation:

• Indications for sealant

– Adjacent molars have or need occlusal restorations. When the teeth beside the tooth in question have fillings or need fillings, that tooth also may develop decay.

• In such conditions sealant has to be applied as a protective measure.

Reference is taken from:

Modern Dental Assisting,12th edition.

– Chapter 59 – Dental Sealants- Page. 2807

Question 10: Which of the following is NOT a benefit of professionally applied topical fluoride?

Option A – It stays in contact with the teeth longer than fluoride from home brushing with toothpaste.

Option B – It is likely to have better coverage than home brushing with toothpaste.

Option C – It has a higher concentration of fluoride than toothpaste used at home.

Option D – It eliminates the need for fluoridated water and toothpaste.

Correct Answer is – Option  

Here is the explanation:

• It eliminates the need for fluoridated water and toothpaste.
• Even patients who use professionally applied fluoride should continue brushing with fluoridated toothpaste and drinking fluoridated water.
• However, professionally applied fluoride tends to have greater coverage and longer contact than what is achieved through home brushing.
• The fluoride is also more highly concentrated in professionally applied products.

Reference is taken from:

Wilkins Clinical Practice of the Dental hygienist,13th edition – Chapter 34- Flourides – Page. 1644-1715.

And Dental Assisting – A Comprehensive approach, 4th edition – Chapter4 – Oral Health and Preventive Techniques – Page. 45-68