Mosby's Dental Assisting Exam Review
2026 Questions and Answers
Orlando, the dental patient, is seated in a supine position in the dental chair when
he experiences a tonic-clonic seizure. How should you react to this situation? -
Correct answer-Remove everything from the mouth and place the chair in a supine
position
An example of an initial impression material is - Correct answer-alginate
During a restorative procedure, what instrument is used to form the walls of the
cavity preparation? - Correct answer-Straight chisel
A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction is the description of which of the
following terms? - Correct answer-Anaphylaxis
Following a tooth extraction, the surgical curette is used - Correct answer-to
remove tissue from the tooth socket after extraction.
The device used to remove dentin and enlarge the canal during root canal therapy
(RCT) is the - Correct answer-K-type file.
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,The instrument used to pack gutta-percha points into the tooth canal during root
canal therapy (RCT) is the endodontic - Correct answer-plugger.
The correct position of the dental chair during dental procedures has the patient's
mouth at approximately the __________ level of the seated operator. - Correct
answer-elbow
A blood pressure reading of 120 mm Hg systolic over 89 mm Hg diastolic is
considered to be - Correct answer-prehypertension.
What endodontic implement is used to dry the canal during root canal therapy
(RCT)? - Correct answer-Paper points
The dental assistant needs to order cutting burs, which are used in the practice at a
rate of 1 per day and there are 10 in inventory. How many burs should the assistant
order to maintain 30 days of inventory? - Correct answer-20
Hypoglycemia can be prevented during a dental appointment by making sure the
insulin-dependent patient has - Correct answer-eaten before treatment.
Which of the following procedures should be avoided when polishing an acrylic
denture base in the laboratory? - Correct answer-Use rotary instruments at high
speed.
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, The compact alveolar bone that lines the tooth socket is the - Correct answer-
lamina dura.
The dental __________ is used to mark holes on the dental dam. - Correct answer-
stamp
Which of the following grasps is the preferred method to hold and transfer a bulky
instrument such as surgical forceps? - Correct answer-Palm grasp
When fabricating a custom tray, what is placed on the cast to create room in the
custom tray for the impression material? - Correct answer-A spacer
Antibiotic premedication is the standard of care for the patient with - Correct
answer-an artificial heat valve.
Using the Universal Numbering System, what teeth would be included in the lower
left quadrant of an adult patient with a full dentition? - Correct answer-17-24
Which of the following terms describes an area where developmental grooves meet
each other or fissures cross and form a small defect in a tooth's enamel? - Correct
answer-Pit
What is the purpose of dentin conditioner used with glass ionomer cement? -
Correct answer-To remove the smear layer
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
2026 Questions and Answers
Orlando, the dental patient, is seated in a supine position in the dental chair when
he experiences a tonic-clonic seizure. How should you react to this situation? -
Correct answer-Remove everything from the mouth and place the chair in a supine
position
An example of an initial impression material is - Correct answer-alginate
During a restorative procedure, what instrument is used to form the walls of the
cavity preparation? - Correct answer-Straight chisel
A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction is the description of which of the
following terms? - Correct answer-Anaphylaxis
Following a tooth extraction, the surgical curette is used - Correct answer-to
remove tissue from the tooth socket after extraction.
The device used to remove dentin and enlarge the canal during root canal therapy
(RCT) is the - Correct answer-K-type file.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,The instrument used to pack gutta-percha points into the tooth canal during root
canal therapy (RCT) is the endodontic - Correct answer-plugger.
The correct position of the dental chair during dental procedures has the patient's
mouth at approximately the __________ level of the seated operator. - Correct
answer-elbow
A blood pressure reading of 120 mm Hg systolic over 89 mm Hg diastolic is
considered to be - Correct answer-prehypertension.
What endodontic implement is used to dry the canal during root canal therapy
(RCT)? - Correct answer-Paper points
The dental assistant needs to order cutting burs, which are used in the practice at a
rate of 1 per day and there are 10 in inventory. How many burs should the assistant
order to maintain 30 days of inventory? - Correct answer-20
Hypoglycemia can be prevented during a dental appointment by making sure the
insulin-dependent patient has - Correct answer-eaten before treatment.
Which of the following procedures should be avoided when polishing an acrylic
denture base in the laboratory? - Correct answer-Use rotary instruments at high
speed.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, The compact alveolar bone that lines the tooth socket is the - Correct answer-
lamina dura.
The dental __________ is used to mark holes on the dental dam. - Correct answer-
stamp
Which of the following grasps is the preferred method to hold and transfer a bulky
instrument such as surgical forceps? - Correct answer-Palm grasp
When fabricating a custom tray, what is placed on the cast to create room in the
custom tray for the impression material? - Correct answer-A spacer
Antibiotic premedication is the standard of care for the patient with - Correct
answer-an artificial heat valve.
Using the Universal Numbering System, what teeth would be included in the lower
left quadrant of an adult patient with a full dentition? - Correct answer-17-24
Which of the following terms describes an area where developmental grooves meet
each other or fissures cross and form a small defect in a tooth's enamel? - Correct
answer-Pit
What is the purpose of dentin conditioner used with glass ionomer cement? -
Correct answer-To remove the smear layer
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
