DSE PRACTICE EXAMINATION 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ Radiographic identification of a crater defect.
Answer: crater = two wall
defecthttps://www.codsjod.com/doi/CODS/pdf/10.5005/jp-journals-10063-0028
◍ Patient has a shunt on the left arm, where do you obtain blood pressure? -
wrist- right arm- neck- finger.
Answer: right arm- patient is on dialysis, take BP on side shunt is NOT
present
◍ Pt presents, upset with look of with canine and premolar area; spotted (pick
up stains), pits and grooves on outer surface of teeth. Likely diagnosis-
hypoplasia - hyperplasia- abfraction- erosion.
Answer: hypoplasia-consider that fact it is localized, likely not related to
systemic disease
◍ Pre-med options for pregnant woman w/hx of infective endocarditis and
penicillin allergy- amoxicillin- cephalexin- clarithromycin- ciproflaxacin.
Answer: *clarithromycin* I may not be correct, the correct option may be
cephalexin. however I chose clarithromycin due to penicillin allergy, cross
reaction with cephalosporins, and since
clindamycin/erythromycin/azthromycin were not options. Ciproflaxacin is
contraindicated in pregnancy. article for reference
◍ Pt presents with white lesion, lateral anterior tongue. History of trauma
(continuously biting it, ect). Resembled a papillary lesion.- papilloma-
fibroma- squamous cell carcinoma.
Answer: Use your best judgement. History of trauma leads to fibroma
diagnosis; but medical history may lead to papilloma. If described as
"cauliflower" assume papilloma!
,◍ Prep guidelines for PFM crowns: anterior vs posterior- axial-
occlusal/incisal.
Answer: Anterior: - labial: 1.5mm- lingual: 1mm- incisal: 2mmPosterior:-
axial: 1.5mm- nonfunctional cusp: 2mm- functional cusp: 2.5mm
◍ Angle's Class 2 Division 1.
Answer: Mx 1st molar is anteriorly positioned relative to the Mn 1st molar
w/proclined or normal Mx centrals
◍ Precision attachments should not be used in patient's with:- poor ridge
adaptation- flabby tissue- low dexterity- high esthetic demand.
Answer: Low dexterity- case discusses older patient with arthritis
◍ Fibroma (benign tumor).
Answer: fibrous hyperplasia of mucosa caused by chronic trauma or
irritation
◍ Image of a perio probe inserted at the facial surface, angle about 75 degrees
(less than 90, but more than 40) to the long axis of the tooth. this is...-
correct angulation for measuring the height of contour- correct angulation to
measure the pocket depth- incorrect placement/angulation.
Answer: incorrect placement/angulation
◍ (Very grainy) picture of #10 and #11, lingual surfaces. What is wrong with
the gingiva? - edema- artifact- squamous cell carcinoma.
Answer: edema - enlargement of marginal and interproximal gingiva;
smooth shiny surface, loss of stippling, diffuse redness
◍ Medication taken for arthritis?- propranolol- benadryl- naproxen- aleve.
Answer: naproxen
◍ Be able to identify vertical bone loss radiographically.
Answer: vertical bone loss
◍ 2 years after RCT, RL still present at apex- monitor- retreat.
Answer: retreat- indicates failed RCT
◍ In order to preserve biological width the crown margin must be ___mm
, above the alveolar crest(fill in the blank).
Answer: 2mm
◍ Is a pre-med required for unrepaired cyanotic congenital heart disease
including palliative shunts and conduits?.
Answer: Yes
◍ Tooth was extracted, patient returns with an infection. What is it? -
pericoronitis- subperiosteal abscess- normal healing process.
Answer: subperiosteal abscess
◍ Most likely reason for sealants to fail?- inadequate retention- poor light
curing device- contamination- patient bruxing habit.
Answer: contamination
◍ 6 months pregnant had bleeding gums and mobile teeth, how should they be
treated?- immediate extractions- do not treat until baby is born- conservative
debridement- immediate endo.
Answer: conservative debridement.- pregnancy gingivitis: important to do
ScRP (and stress good oral hygiene) to prevent plaque growth. The plaque
can enter blood stream and stimulate patient's immune system to produce
prostaglandins, which can trigger uterine contraction leading to early labor,
premature birth, and a small baby.
◍ Panoramic of radiolucency at the ramus, what should you do? - retake the
image for diagnostic purposes- incision and drainage- refer to oral surgery-
leave it alone.
Answer: refer to oral surgery
◍ Before trimming teeth on stone cast for immediate denture you must...-
mark a line 3mm above the free gingival margin- nothing- survey the
remaining teeth.
Answer: mark a line 3mm above the free gingival margin
◍ What is the maximum amount of unsupported porcelain allowed/minimum
thickness?- 1.0mm- 1.5mm- 2.0mm- 2.5mm.
Answer: 2mm
, ◍ Pentobarbital (Nembutal) and Secobarbital (Seconal) are what type of
drugs?- benzodiazepines- NSAIDS- barbituates- atypical antipsychotic.
Answer: barbituates- used primarily evening BEFORE appointment
◍ Hypoadrenalism is known as?- Cushing's- Addison's- Grave's.
Answer: Addison's- bronzing of the skin, pigmentation in the oral cavity
◍ What is the main symptom that differentiates anaphylaxis from syncope? -
bronchoconstriction- clammy skin and pallor- nausea, vomiting.
Answer: Anaphylaxis is accompanied by wheezing, bronchoconstriction-
anaphyalxis: intense itching, hives, flushing over the face and chest.
Rhinitis, conjunctivitis, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and
perspiration. Palpitation, tachycardia, sub- sternal tightness, coughing,
wheezing, and dyspnea. BP drops rapidly and loss of consciousness or
cardiac arrest can occur in severe cases.- syncope: fright and flight response.
Anxiety, tachycardia, perspiration, light-headedness, and blurred vision are
commonly experienced.
◍ Precision attachments should not be used in patient's with:- poor ridge
adaptation- flabby tissue- low dexterity- high esthetic demand.
Answer: Low dexterity- case discusses older patient with arthritis
◍ In an effort to improve gingival health, temporary crowns should be: -
undercontoured- overcontoured- left short of the margin- extended past the
margin.
Answer: UNDERcontoured; bulbous crowns are not good for the gingiva.
◍ What are the ADA recommendations for when pre-med is required.
Answer: - prosthetic cardiac valves, including transcatheter-implanted
prostheses and homografts- prosthetic material used for cardiac valve repair,
such as annuloplasty rings and chords- a history of infective endocarditis- a
cardiac transplanta with valve regurgitation due to a structurally abnormal
valve- the following congenital (present from birth) heart
disease--unrepaired cyanotic congenital heart disease, including palliative
shunts and conduits--any repaired congenital heart defect with residual
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ Radiographic identification of a crater defect.
Answer: crater = two wall
defecthttps://www.codsjod.com/doi/CODS/pdf/10.5005/jp-journals-10063-0028
◍ Patient has a shunt on the left arm, where do you obtain blood pressure? -
wrist- right arm- neck- finger.
Answer: right arm- patient is on dialysis, take BP on side shunt is NOT
present
◍ Pt presents, upset with look of with canine and premolar area; spotted (pick
up stains), pits and grooves on outer surface of teeth. Likely diagnosis-
hypoplasia - hyperplasia- abfraction- erosion.
Answer: hypoplasia-consider that fact it is localized, likely not related to
systemic disease
◍ Pre-med options for pregnant woman w/hx of infective endocarditis and
penicillin allergy- amoxicillin- cephalexin- clarithromycin- ciproflaxacin.
Answer: *clarithromycin* I may not be correct, the correct option may be
cephalexin. however I chose clarithromycin due to penicillin allergy, cross
reaction with cephalosporins, and since
clindamycin/erythromycin/azthromycin were not options. Ciproflaxacin is
contraindicated in pregnancy. article for reference
◍ Pt presents with white lesion, lateral anterior tongue. History of trauma
(continuously biting it, ect). Resembled a papillary lesion.- papilloma-
fibroma- squamous cell carcinoma.
Answer: Use your best judgement. History of trauma leads to fibroma
diagnosis; but medical history may lead to papilloma. If described as
"cauliflower" assume papilloma!
,◍ Prep guidelines for PFM crowns: anterior vs posterior- axial-
occlusal/incisal.
Answer: Anterior: - labial: 1.5mm- lingual: 1mm- incisal: 2mmPosterior:-
axial: 1.5mm- nonfunctional cusp: 2mm- functional cusp: 2.5mm
◍ Angle's Class 2 Division 1.
Answer: Mx 1st molar is anteriorly positioned relative to the Mn 1st molar
w/proclined or normal Mx centrals
◍ Precision attachments should not be used in patient's with:- poor ridge
adaptation- flabby tissue- low dexterity- high esthetic demand.
Answer: Low dexterity- case discusses older patient with arthritis
◍ Fibroma (benign tumor).
Answer: fibrous hyperplasia of mucosa caused by chronic trauma or
irritation
◍ Image of a perio probe inserted at the facial surface, angle about 75 degrees
(less than 90, but more than 40) to the long axis of the tooth. this is...-
correct angulation for measuring the height of contour- correct angulation to
measure the pocket depth- incorrect placement/angulation.
Answer: incorrect placement/angulation
◍ (Very grainy) picture of #10 and #11, lingual surfaces. What is wrong with
the gingiva? - edema- artifact- squamous cell carcinoma.
Answer: edema - enlargement of marginal and interproximal gingiva;
smooth shiny surface, loss of stippling, diffuse redness
◍ Medication taken for arthritis?- propranolol- benadryl- naproxen- aleve.
Answer: naproxen
◍ Be able to identify vertical bone loss radiographically.
Answer: vertical bone loss
◍ 2 years after RCT, RL still present at apex- monitor- retreat.
Answer: retreat- indicates failed RCT
◍ In order to preserve biological width the crown margin must be ___mm
, above the alveolar crest(fill in the blank).
Answer: 2mm
◍ Is a pre-med required for unrepaired cyanotic congenital heart disease
including palliative shunts and conduits?.
Answer: Yes
◍ Tooth was extracted, patient returns with an infection. What is it? -
pericoronitis- subperiosteal abscess- normal healing process.
Answer: subperiosteal abscess
◍ Most likely reason for sealants to fail?- inadequate retention- poor light
curing device- contamination- patient bruxing habit.
Answer: contamination
◍ 6 months pregnant had bleeding gums and mobile teeth, how should they be
treated?- immediate extractions- do not treat until baby is born- conservative
debridement- immediate endo.
Answer: conservative debridement.- pregnancy gingivitis: important to do
ScRP (and stress good oral hygiene) to prevent plaque growth. The plaque
can enter blood stream and stimulate patient's immune system to produce
prostaglandins, which can trigger uterine contraction leading to early labor,
premature birth, and a small baby.
◍ Panoramic of radiolucency at the ramus, what should you do? - retake the
image for diagnostic purposes- incision and drainage- refer to oral surgery-
leave it alone.
Answer: refer to oral surgery
◍ Before trimming teeth on stone cast for immediate denture you must...-
mark a line 3mm above the free gingival margin- nothing- survey the
remaining teeth.
Answer: mark a line 3mm above the free gingival margin
◍ What is the maximum amount of unsupported porcelain allowed/minimum
thickness?- 1.0mm- 1.5mm- 2.0mm- 2.5mm.
Answer: 2mm
, ◍ Pentobarbital (Nembutal) and Secobarbital (Seconal) are what type of
drugs?- benzodiazepines- NSAIDS- barbituates- atypical antipsychotic.
Answer: barbituates- used primarily evening BEFORE appointment
◍ Hypoadrenalism is known as?- Cushing's- Addison's- Grave's.
Answer: Addison's- bronzing of the skin, pigmentation in the oral cavity
◍ What is the main symptom that differentiates anaphylaxis from syncope? -
bronchoconstriction- clammy skin and pallor- nausea, vomiting.
Answer: Anaphylaxis is accompanied by wheezing, bronchoconstriction-
anaphyalxis: intense itching, hives, flushing over the face and chest.
Rhinitis, conjunctivitis, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and
perspiration. Palpitation, tachycardia, sub- sternal tightness, coughing,
wheezing, and dyspnea. BP drops rapidly and loss of consciousness or
cardiac arrest can occur in severe cases.- syncope: fright and flight response.
Anxiety, tachycardia, perspiration, light-headedness, and blurred vision are
commonly experienced.
◍ Precision attachments should not be used in patient's with:- poor ridge
adaptation- flabby tissue- low dexterity- high esthetic demand.
Answer: Low dexterity- case discusses older patient with arthritis
◍ In an effort to improve gingival health, temporary crowns should be: -
undercontoured- overcontoured- left short of the margin- extended past the
margin.
Answer: UNDERcontoured; bulbous crowns are not good for the gingiva.
◍ What are the ADA recommendations for when pre-med is required.
Answer: - prosthetic cardiac valves, including transcatheter-implanted
prostheses and homografts- prosthetic material used for cardiac valve repair,
such as annuloplasty rings and chords- a history of infective endocarditis- a
cardiac transplanta with valve regurgitation due to a structurally abnormal
valve- the following congenital (present from birth) heart
disease--unrepaired cyanotic congenital heart disease, including palliative
shunts and conduits--any repaired congenital heart defect with residual
