Dental Assistant Prometric exam questions with answers
15 original practice questions written to the Dental Assistant exam blueprint, each with the answer and why the other options are wrong. Below them: the Dental Assistant exam's format, pass mark and fee at DHA, DOH, SCFHS, QCHP and every other GCC regulator, from their own published rules.
- 15
- Free questions
- 60%
- DHA pass mark
- 150
- Questions on the DHA exam
- 12
- Questions in the free mock
Quick answer
The Dental Assistant exam is 150 MCQs in 3 hours at DHA (pass mark 60%) and 150 MCQs in 3 hours at QCHP (pass mark 50%). Below are 15 original practice questions written to the official blueprint, each with the answer and why the other options are wrong, plus a free 12-question timed mock.
The Dental Assistant exam in every GCC country
DHA, QCHP publish an exact Dental Assistant exam; the others apply one format to every title. Figures come from each regulator's own exam pages - anything not published says so.
| Regulator | Exam | Format | Pass mark | Fee per attempt | Practise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHA Dubai | Dental Assistant (DAS5111) | 150 MCQs in 3 hours | 60% | USD 240 (about AED 880) | DHA questions → |
| DOH Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra | DOH licensing exam Regulator-wide format | Written + oral/OSCE | Pass / fail only | Not published | DOH questions → |
| MOHAP Northern Emirates - Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah | MOHAP licensing exam Regulator-wide format | Computer-based | Not published | Not published | MOHAP questions → |
| SHA Emirate of Sharjah | SHA licensing exam Regulator-wide format | Set at assessment | Not published | Not published | SHA questions → |
| SCFHS Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | SCFHS licensing exam Regulator-wide format | 200 MCQs, 240 min | 500-560 of 800 | Not published | SCFHS questions → |
| QCHP State of Qatar | Dental Assistant | 150 MCQs in 3 hours | 50% | Not published | QCHP questions → |
| NHRA Kingdom of Bahrain | NHRA licensing exam Regulator-wide format | Prometric CBT | Not published | Not published | NHRA questions → |
| OMSB Sultanate of Oman | OMSB licensing exam Regulator-wide format | Computer-based OC exam | Not published | Not published | OMSB questions → |
| Kuwait MOH State of Kuwait | Kuwait MOH licensing exam Regulator-wide format | 150 MCQs, 170 min | 60-70% | Not published | Kuwait MOH questions → |
exact exam published for Dental Assistant
Pass marks, attempts and fees change - confirm yours on the regulator's exam page before you book.
15 Dental Assistant exam questions with answers
Choose your answer first, then open the explanation. The set covers the main blueprint domains at a mix of easy, medium and hard.
- Question 1Chairside Assisting and Four-Handed Dentistrymedium
For a right-handed operator, what is the usual working zone of the dental assistant?
- A7 to 12 o'clock
- B2 to 4 o'clock
- C12 to 2 o'clock
- D4 to 7 o'clock
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. 2 to 4 o'clock
With a right-handed operator, the assistant works from about 2 to 4 o'clock, and the operator from about 7 to 12 o'clock. The 4 to 7 o'clock area is the transfer zone.
- Question 2Chairside Assisting and Four-Handed Dentistryhard
When assembling a Tofflemire matrix for a class II restoration, how is the retainer placed?
- ASlotted side facing the occlusal plane
- BRetainer on the lingual side always
- CBand with the larger edge gingivally
- DSlotted side facing the gingiva
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. Slotted side facing the gingiva
The diagonal slot of the retainer faces the gingiva so the retainer can be removed occlusally, and the smaller circumference of the band is placed gingivally. The retainer is normally positioned on the buccal side.
- Question 3Dental Anatomy, Charting and Terminologymedium
In the FDI system, which quadrant number denotes the maxillary right primary teeth?
- A1
- B6
- C8
- D5
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. 5
Primary quadrants are numbered 5 to 8, starting with 5 for the maxillary right. Quadrant 1 is the permanent maxillary right, and 8 is the primary mandibular right.
- Question 4Dental Materialsmedium
Why should an alginate impression be poured promptly?
- AIt becomes too hard to remove the model
- BIt releases toxic gases over time
- CIt bonds permanently to the tray
- DIt changes shape through water loss or gain
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. It changes shape through water loss or gain
Alginate is a hydrocolloid that shrinks by syneresis or swells by imbibition, so delay distorts the model. It does not harden excessively or release gases.
- Question 5Medical Emergencies and Patient Careeasy
A patient becomes pale, sweaty and briefly loses consciousness in the dental chair before treatment. How should they be positioned?
- ASitting upright with head forward
- BStanding and walking around
- CSupine with legs raised
- DProne with the head turned
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Supine with legs raised
Vasovagal syncope is managed by laying the patient flat with legs raised to improve venous return to the brain. Sitting upright prolongs cerebral hypoperfusion.
- Question 6Dental Radiography and Radiation Safetymedium
What is the main diagnostic purpose of a bitewing radiograph?
- ARoot apices and the periapical tissues
- BWhole jaw and sinus anatomy
- CImpacted third molar position
- DInterproximal caries and crestal bone
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. Interproximal caries and crestal bone
Bitewings show the crowns of upper and lower posterior teeth and the alveolar crest, making them ideal for proximal caries and bone levels. Periapical films are needed to see root apices.
- Question 7Practice Management, Ethics and Occupational Safetyhard
A small amount of mercury is spilled on the clinic floor. What is the correct response?
- AVacuum it up with the clinic vacuum
- BUse a mercury spill kit, avoiding the vacuum
- CSweep it into a drain with water
- DWipe it up with a dry cloth and put it in the bin
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Use a mercury spill kit, avoiding the vacuum
A mercury spill kit with sponges or absorbent powder should be used, with the waste sealed and labelled. Vacuuming vaporises and spreads mercury and contaminates the equipment.
- Question 8Specialty Procedureseasy
Which irrigant is most commonly used during root canal treatment to dissolve tissue and disinfect the canal?
- AHydrogen peroxide 30%
- BSodium hypochlorite
- CIsopropyl alcohol
- DNormal tap water
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Sodium hypochlorite
Sodium hypochlorite dissolves organic tissue and is antimicrobial, used under rubber dam. Concentrated hydrogen peroxide is not a standard canal irrigant.
Halfway - how are you scoring?
Test yourself under real exam conditions
The free 12-question mock is timed and scored against the pass mark, domain by domain, so you see exactly where you are losing marks. The full Dental Assistant bank has 3 full-length papers (about 450 questions) for AED 179, one-time.
- Question 9Dental Radiography and Radiation Safetymedium
Bitewing contacts between premolars appear overlapped. Which error is most likely?
- AIncorrect horizontal angulation
- BInsufficient vertical angulation
- CExcessive exposure time
- DUnderdeveloped image processing
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Incorrect horizontal angulation
The beam must pass through the contacts at right angles; incorrect horizontal angulation overlaps them. Vertical angulation errors change tooth length, not contact overlap.
- Question 10Infection Control and Sterilisationmedium
Which organism's spores are used in biological indicators to monitor steam sterilizers?
- ABacillus atrophaeus
- BStaphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- CGeobacillus stearothermophilus
- DEscherichia coli
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Geobacillus stearothermophilus
Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores are highly resistant to moist heat and are used for steam sterilisation monitoring, at least weekly. Bacillus atrophaeus is used for dry heat and ethylene oxide.
- Question 11Infection Control and Sterilisationmedium
A dental assistant sustains a needlestick injury from a used local anesthetic needle. What is the immediate first step?
- ASqueeze the wound hard and apply household bleach
- BFinish the procedure, then report
- CWash the wound with soap and running water
- DApply a tight bandage and continue
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Wash the wound with soap and running water
The wound should be washed with soap and water at once, then reported immediately so source testing and post-exposure prophylaxis can be considered. Squeezing or applying caustic agents such as bleach is not recommended.
- Question 12Medical Emergencies and Patient Caremedium
A conscious diabetic patient becomes shaky, sweaty and confused during a long appointment. What is the first action?
- AGive insulin from the patient's kit
- BGive intramuscular adrenaline
- CGive 15-20 g of oral glucose
- DGive oxygen and continue treatment
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Give 15-20 g of oral glucose
A cooperative hypoglycemic patient is given fast-acting oral glucose, rechecked in about 15 minutes and treated again if needed. Insulin would worsen hypoglycemia.
- Question 13Medical Emergencies and Patient Caremedium
During adult CPR, what compression rate and depth are recommended?
- A60-80 per minute, 2-3 cm deep
- B140-160 per minute, 7-8 cm deep
- C80-100 per minute, 3-4 cm deep
- D100-120 per minute, 5-6 cm deep
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. 100-120 per minute, 5-6 cm deep
High-quality adult CPR uses compressions at 100-120 per minute to a depth of 5-6 cm with full recoil. Slower, shallower compressions give inadequate perfusion.
- Question 14Practice Management, Ethics and Occupational Safetymedium
A caller says they are a patient's friend and asks what time the patient's appointment is today. What should the assistant do?
- AGive the time since it is not clinical
- BGive the time if the caller sounds genuine
- CRead out the treatment notes to confirm
- DDecline without the patient's consent
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. Decline without the patient's consent
Appointment details are confidential personal information and cannot be shared without the patient's consent. Whether information is clinical does not change the duty of confidentiality.
- Question 15Specialty Proceduresmedium
Which instruction helps prevent a dry socket after extraction?
- ARinse hard with antiseptic mouthwash every hour
- BDrink through a straw for 2 days
- CAvoid vigorous rinsing and spitting for 24 hours
- DSmoke only after the first 2 hours
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Avoid vigorous rinsing and spitting for 24 hours
Vigorous rinsing, spitting, straws and smoking can dislodge the clot and cause alveolar osteitis. Patients should bite on gauze and avoid these for at least the first day.
What the Dental Assistant exam covers
The blueprint groups questions into these domains. Weight your revision the same way - the heavier domains carry more of your score.
Infection Control and Sterilisation
~22%Hand hygiene and personal protective equipment · Spaulding classification of dental instruments · Instrument reprocessing
Chairside Assisting and Four-Handed Dentistry
~15%Operator and assistant zones and clock positions · Instrument transfer and the transfer zone · Oral evacuation
Dental Anatomy, Charting and Terminology
~12%Universal, FDI and Palmer tooth numbering · Primary and permanent dentition · Tooth surfaces and Black's cavity classification
Dental Materials
~12%Impression materials · Gypsum products and model pouring · Cements and liners
Dental Radiography and Radiation Safety
~12%ALARA and radiation protection for patients and staff · Intraoral views · Paralleling and bisecting techniques
Medical Emergencies and Patient Care
~10%Vital signs and medical history review · Syncope and positioning · Hypoglycemia in diabetic patients
Specialty Procedures
~9%Endodontic assisting and irrigants · Oral surgery assisting and post-extraction instructions · Orthodontic assisting
Practice Management, Ethics and Occupational Safety
~8%Patient confidentiality and records · Informed consent and scope of practice · Hazard communication and safety data sheets
How to answer these questions
Diagnosis questions hinge on one or two discriminating findings - pick them out of the stem before reading the options.
Know the order of treatment planning cold: emergency relief, disease control, then restorative and prosthetic phases.
Infection control, radiation safety and ethics are short, high-yield marks - do not skip them in revision.
Aim to score comfortably above your regulator's pass mark - 10 to 15 points of margin - on timed, full-length practice before you book.
Dental Assistant exam questions: FAQs
How many questions are in the Dental Assistant Prometric exam?
What is the pass mark for the Dental Assistant exam?
Are these real exam questions?
Is the Dental Assistant exam the same in every GCC country?
How should I use these questions?
Last reviewed September 2026. Questions are original and written to the published exam blueprint; they are not taken from any real paper.
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