Saudi Licensure Examination – Dental Assistant: free practice test

Practice question Unit: Oral Anatomy

1. APrimary mandibular right first molar

   Primary teeth use quadrants 5–8, so the primary mandibular right first molar is FDI 84, not 46.

2. BPermanent maxillary left first molar

   Quadrant 2 is the permanent maxillary left, so this tooth is FDI 26.

3. CPermanent mandibular right first molar ✓ Correct answer

   The first digit 4 is the permanent mandibular right quadrant and the second digit 6 is the first molar, so 46 is the permanent mandibular right first molar.

4. DPermanent mandibular left first molar

   Quadrant 3 is the permanent mandibular left, so this tooth is FDI 36; confusing quadrants 3 and 4 is a common charting error.

Reference: American Dental Association: Universal Tooth Designation System ValueSet - Introduction and tooth rows: Universal1–32/A–T; ISO mappings3=16,14=26,19=36,30=46 and primary84. https://www.ada.org/-/media/project/ada-organization/ada/ada-org/files/publications/cdt/ada_utds_value_set_v1_2022_aug.pdf

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Practice question Unit: Dental Assistant

1. ADiscard a disposable tip or heat-sterilize a reusable tip before reuse. ✓ Correct answer

   CDC classes air-water syringe tips with intraoral devices attached to air/waterlines: a reusable tip is cleaned and heat-sterilized between patients, and a single-use tip is discarded.

2. BFlush water through the used tip and keep it attached for the next patient.

   Flushing helps expel patient material that entered the lines; it does not remove established waterline biofilm or clean and sterilize a used intraoral tip. The tip still requires disposal or heat sterilization, as appropriate.

3. CWipe the used tip with surface disinfectant and replace its barrier.

   Surface disinfection and barriers are for clinical contact surfaces; a tip that enters the mouth needs heat sterilization or disposal.

4. DSoak the reusable tip in a holding solution and fit it to the next patient.

   A holding solution only keeps debris from drying until cleaning; it neither cleans nor sterilizes the tip.

Reference: CDC — Best Practices for Dental Handpieces - Background and recommendations: removable intraoral devices. https://www.cdc.gov/dental-infection-control/hcp/dental-ipc-faqs/dental-handpieces.html; CDC — Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, 2003 - Dental unit waterlines, strategies to improve quality; saliva ejectors; single-use devices. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5217a1.htm

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Practice question Unit: Dental Terminology

1. AThe mesial, occlusal and buccal surfaces of the tooth.

   This would be MOB; in MOD the D stands for distal, not buccal.

2. BThe mesial, occlusal and distal surfaces of the tooth. ✓ Correct answer

   MOD = mesial + occlusal + distal: a three-surface Class II restoration that crosses the occlusal surface and involves both proximal surfaces.

3. CThe mesial, distal and lingual surfaces of the tooth.

   O stands for occlusal, not lingual (L); this set would be charted as MDL.

4. DThe occlusal, buccal and lingual surfaces of the tooth.

   This set (OBL) leaves out both proximal surfaces, which M and D represent.

Reference: American Dental Association — Acronyms and Abbreviations - Read PDF text: tooth-surface abbreviation list and combined examples MO, MOD, MODB; readable PDF body. https://www.ada.org/-/media/project/ada-organization/ada/ada-org/files/education/test-construtor-resources/common_acronymsandabbreviations.pdf?hash=CB9A92299D362B48719BA755E9E2A445&rev=bead234564a747689f407b87f8588997

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Practice question Unit: Dental Materials

1. ADisinfectant residue keeps hardening the alginate surface until it cannot release the cast

   Disinfectant does not keep hardening the alginate; rinsing after the contact time removes residue, and the real risk of delay is dimensional change.

2. BThe alginate gains tear strength over time and makes cast removal difficult

   Alginate does not gain useful tear strength on standing; it loses accuracy as it gives off or takes up water.

3. CThe disinfectant becomes ineffective unless stone is poured within the contact time

   Disinfection is complete once the stated contact time has passed; a delay harms the impression, not the disinfectant.

4. DSyneresis and imbibition can distort the impression if pouring is delayed ✓ Correct answer

   Alginate is a hydrocolloid: it shrinks by syneresis as it loses water and swells by imbibition if it absorbs water, so it is rinsed, disinfected, and poured promptly.

Reference: Dentsply Sirona: Jeltrate Alginate directions for use - English pp. 1–2: indications, precautions, steps 3–13, disinfection. https://www.dentsplysirona.com/content/dam/dentsply/pim/manufacturer/Restorative/Indirect_Restoration/Impression_Taking/Alginates/Jeltrate/Jeltrate%20Regular%20Set%20-%20DFU%20(1).pdf; American Dental Assistants Association: Alginate impression and diagnostic study model techniques - Pouring anatomical portion; base construction; separating/trimming; glossary of working time, syneresis and imbibition. https://cdeworld.com/courses/20842-alginate-impression-and-diagnostic-study-model-techniques

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Practice question Unit: Dental Radiography

1. AFour times the original mAs ✓ Correct answer

   By the inverse square law, doubling the distance cuts intensity to one quarter, so four times the exposure is needed.

2. BHalf the original mAs

   A longer distance lowers intensity, so reducing the exposure would make the image even lighter.

3. CTwice the original mAs

   Doubling the distance leaves one quarter of the intensity, so doubling exposure restores only half of the original; it must be quadrupled.

4. DThe same mAs, because only magnification changes

   Distance changes both magnification and beam intensity; leaving mAs unchanged gives a light image.

Reference: Carestream — Exposure and Processing for Dental Film Radiography - Printed p. 6: source-image distance/exposure factors; pp. 10–15: processing and mounting. https://www.carestreamhealthcare.com/content/dam/carestream/site/public-website/global/products/medical-imaging/dental/resource-center/Exposure%20and%20Processing%20for%20Dental%20Film%20Radiography%20%28PDF%29.pdf

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Practice question Unit: Infection Control

1. AContinue routine loads if their external chemical indicators have changed color.

   Chemical indicators show exposure to selected conditions but do not override a positive biological test.

2. BContinue routine loads while repeating the biological test at the next weekly interval.

   A positive test requires prompt investigation and repeat testing rather than a week of continued use.

3. CRecall and reprocess every pack sterilized since the last negative spore test.

   A single positive steam-sterilizer spore test does not automatically require recalling every pack when mechanical/chemical results and procedures are satisfactory. However, implantable items must be recalled and quarantined immediately; other suspect items may require recall if sterilization is defective. Take the sterilizer out of service and investigate promptly.

4. DRemove the sterilizer from service, review procedures, and retest it before reuse. ✓ Correct answer

   Remove the sterilizer from service, review procedures, recall and quarantine implantable items, and promptly repeat the spore test using the same cycle. If the repeat is negative and procedures were correct, return to service is permitted. A repeat positive requires inspection/repair and successful validation before reuse; recall and reprocess suspect loads back to the last negative test when possible.

Reference: CDC — Best Practices for Sterilization Monitoring in Dental Settings - Mechanical monitoring; Chemical monitoring; Biological monitoring; What should I do if there is a positive spore test?. https://www.cdc.gov/dental-infection-control/hcp/dental-ipc-faqs/sterilization-monitoring.html; CDC — Recommendations for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities - Section 8: Management of Equipment and Surfaces in Dentistry; Section 16: Monitoring of Sterilizers. https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/disinfection-sterilization/summary-recommendations.html

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Practice question Unit: Preventive Dentistry

1. AIt results from interactions among biofilm, diet, host factors, and time. ✓ Correct answer

   Caries develops when biofilm acid challenges outweigh protective factors over time.

2. BIt results from direct dietary acid dissolving enamel without bacterial fermentation.

   Direct nonbacterial acid dissolution describes erosion, not the caries process.

3. CIt results from repeated tooth contact wearing away opposing enamel surfaces.

   Tooth-to-tooth mechanical wear is attrition, not caries.

4. DIt results from excessive brushing force abrading exposed cervical surfaces.

   Mechanical wear from brushing is abrasion, not biofilm-mediated caries.

Reference: NIDCR — The Tooth Decay Process - What goes on inside our mouths; cavity development; prevention. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/tooth-decay/more-info/tooth-decay-process; ADA — Caries Risk Assessment and Management - Introduction; risk factors; nonrestorative lesion management. https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/caries-risk-assessment-and-management

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Practice question Unit: Dental Emergency and MCP

1. ATo predict the patient's dental anxiety from the reported medical diagnoses.

   ASA physical status describes systemic health, not a dental anxiety score.

2. BTo assign the sedation depth required for the planned dental procedure.

   Physical status informs sedation assessment but does not itself prescribe sedation depth.

3. CTo calculate the maximum local anaesthetic dose from the patient's category.

   Dose calculation depends on the drug, body weight and clinical factors rather than an ASA category alone.

4. DTo describe systemic disease severity when assessing the patient's treatment risk. ✓ Correct answer

   ASA classification summarises systemic physical status; it supports, rather than replaces, individual risk assessment.

Reference: ADA — Guidelines for the Use of Sedation and General Anesthesia by Dentists (October 2025) - ASA physical status table, p. 4; patient evaluation, preparation and monitoring sections. https://www.ada.org/-/media/project/ada-organization/ada/ada-org/files/resources/library/oral-health-topics/ada_sedation_use_guidelines.pdf

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Practice question Unit: Communication and Patient Education

1. AExplain that most patients manage well and advise trying not to think about it.

   Comparison and distraction advice can minimise an individual fear before it has been understood.

2. BDescribe each possible complication in detail before asking what worries the patient.

   Untailored detail may increase anxiety; first establish the patient's concern and information needs.

3. CAcknowledge the fear and offer a choice of appropriate calming strategies. ✓ Correct answer

   Acknowledgement validates the concern, while suitable choices support patient control and coping.

4. DPromise that treatment will be painless so the patient can stop worrying.

   A pain-free guarantee may be unrealistic and can damage trust if discomfort occurs.

Reference: ADA — Meeting the Doctor - Open/closed questions, active listening/paraphrase, plain language, visual aids, anxiety and personal space; readable page body. https://www.ada.org/resources/practice/practice-management/meeting-the-doctor

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Practice question Unit: Ethics

1. AAccept the task if the dentist remains beside the chair throughout its performance.

   Chairside supervision does not make a task lawful if it lies outside the assistant's permitted scope of practice.

2. BAccept the task after the patient signs an additional consent for delegation.

   A patient cannot consent to an unlicensed practitioner performing a procedure; consent does not extend legal scope.

3. CDecline the task and explain the scope limit to the supervising dentist. ✓ Correct answer

   Healthcare practitioners must work within their licensed classification; the assistant politely declines and explains the limit so the dentist can perform or reassign the task.

4. DAccept the task after practising it on a model under the dentist's instruction.

   Practising on a model may build skill, but training without the required qualification and licensing does not change the scope.

Reference: Saudi Health Professions Practice Law and Executive Regulations - Articles 9, 14, 19 and regulation 19-1; Article 21 and regulation 21-1; Articles 24, 26–27 (Arabic text). https://scfhs.org.sa/sites/default/files/2024-10/Executive-Regulations-Health-Profession.pdf; Saudi MOH: Saudi Guidelines for Informed Consent - PDF pp. 9–11, 15–18 and 45–49: definitions, conditions, roles, children, emergency cases, refusal and documentation. https://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Ministry/MediaCenter/Publications/Pages/Saudi-Guidelines-for-Informed-Consent.pdf

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