RADIATION HEALTH AND SAFETY
PRACTICE BOARD EVALUATION 2026
GUARANTEED PASS ANSWERS GRADED A+
●● The major disadvantage of the bisecting angle technique is that
a. the film is more difficult to place.
b. image distortion is more likely.
c. the exposure time is significantly longer.
d. the amount of radiation absorbed by the patient is increased. Answer:
b. image distortion is more likely.
●● To reduce cross-contamination during radiography, the CDC and
ADA recommend that the operators do all of the following EXCEPT
a. wear gloves
b. dispose of saliva-contaminated film packets carefully.
c. use sterilizable or disposable film holders.
d. cover control unit and tubehead with plastic barrier.
e. take complete medical histories.. Answer: e. take complete medical
histories.
●● Ideally, a lead apron would be used
a. for a full mouth series
,b. for any dental radiographs.
c. if kVp is increased above normal.
d. when the x-ray machine is suspected of malfunctioning.. Answer: b.
for any dental radiographs.
●● A full mouth radiographic series has just been processed manually.
The operator notes that the films on the bottom of the rack are of a
different density. What could have caused this?
a. Developing solution was too cold.
b. Developing solution was contaminated.
c. Fixer solution was reaching exhaustion.
d. Solutions were not stirred before processing.. Answer: d. Solutions
were not stirred before processing.
●● A film that has been exposed to scattered radiation will appear
a. brown
b. fogged.
c. green.
d. clear.. Answer: b. fogged.
●● X-ray exposure time should be increased if the patient is
a. very old
b. edentulous.
,c. a large adult.
d. very young. Answer: c. a large adult.
●● Before exposing a panoramic radiograph on a patient, the operator
should request the removal of all of the following EXCEPT
a. watch.
b. dentures.
c. eyeglasses.
d. removable bridgework.
e. earrings.. Answer: a. watch.
●● A parent refuses to have radiographs taken on his/her child. The
dental assistant should
a. explain that the radiographs are necessary for insurance
reimbursement.
b. inform the dentist and document parent's refusal.
c. Expose the necessary radiographs without the parent's knowledge.
d. refer the parent to another dentist.. Answer: b. inform the dentist and
document parent's refusal.
●● Incorrect horizontal angulation of the primary beam produces
a. overlapping of occlusal surfaces.
b. overlapping of proximal surfaces.
, c. lengthening of the image of the tooth.
d. shortening of the image of the tooth.. Answer: b. overlapping of
proximal surfaces.
●● Where is the radiographic landmark 'incisive foramen' usually
located?
a. Maxillary anterior
b. Mandibular anterior
c. Maxillary posterior
d. Mandibular posterior. Answer: a. Maxillary anterior
●● Cephalometric radiographs are primarily indicated to evalutate
a. boneloss.
b. fractures.
c. caries.
d. jaw relationships.. Answer: d. jaw relationships.
●● When taking a panoramic radiograph, the patient's head should be
oriented
a. with the chin tipped up.
b. with the chin tipped down.
c. so that it is rotated toward the film.
PRACTICE BOARD EVALUATION 2026
GUARANTEED PASS ANSWERS GRADED A+
●● The major disadvantage of the bisecting angle technique is that
a. the film is more difficult to place.
b. image distortion is more likely.
c. the exposure time is significantly longer.
d. the amount of radiation absorbed by the patient is increased. Answer:
b. image distortion is more likely.
●● To reduce cross-contamination during radiography, the CDC and
ADA recommend that the operators do all of the following EXCEPT
a. wear gloves
b. dispose of saliva-contaminated film packets carefully.
c. use sterilizable or disposable film holders.
d. cover control unit and tubehead with plastic barrier.
e. take complete medical histories.. Answer: e. take complete medical
histories.
●● Ideally, a lead apron would be used
a. for a full mouth series
,b. for any dental radiographs.
c. if kVp is increased above normal.
d. when the x-ray machine is suspected of malfunctioning.. Answer: b.
for any dental radiographs.
●● A full mouth radiographic series has just been processed manually.
The operator notes that the films on the bottom of the rack are of a
different density. What could have caused this?
a. Developing solution was too cold.
b. Developing solution was contaminated.
c. Fixer solution was reaching exhaustion.
d. Solutions were not stirred before processing.. Answer: d. Solutions
were not stirred before processing.
●● A film that has been exposed to scattered radiation will appear
a. brown
b. fogged.
c. green.
d. clear.. Answer: b. fogged.
●● X-ray exposure time should be increased if the patient is
a. very old
b. edentulous.
,c. a large adult.
d. very young. Answer: c. a large adult.
●● Before exposing a panoramic radiograph on a patient, the operator
should request the removal of all of the following EXCEPT
a. watch.
b. dentures.
c. eyeglasses.
d. removable bridgework.
e. earrings.. Answer: a. watch.
●● A parent refuses to have radiographs taken on his/her child. The
dental assistant should
a. explain that the radiographs are necessary for insurance
reimbursement.
b. inform the dentist and document parent's refusal.
c. Expose the necessary radiographs without the parent's knowledge.
d. refer the parent to another dentist.. Answer: b. inform the dentist and
document parent's refusal.
●● Incorrect horizontal angulation of the primary beam produces
a. overlapping of occlusal surfaces.
b. overlapping of proximal surfaces.
, c. lengthening of the image of the tooth.
d. shortening of the image of the tooth.. Answer: b. overlapping of
proximal surfaces.
●● Where is the radiographic landmark 'incisive foramen' usually
located?
a. Maxillary anterior
b. Mandibular anterior
c. Maxillary posterior
d. Mandibular posterior. Answer: a. Maxillary anterior
●● Cephalometric radiographs are primarily indicated to evalutate
a. boneloss.
b. fractures.
c. caries.
d. jaw relationships.. Answer: d. jaw relationships.
●● When taking a panoramic radiograph, the patient's head should be
oriented
a. with the chin tipped up.
b. with the chin tipped down.
c. so that it is rotated toward the film.
