RDA CRITICAL ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
UPDATE WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION
Describe the various roles dental assistants assume in the dental office. Answer
- Business or administrative assistant, dental office manager and chairside or
clinical assistant.
Who is responsible for knowing what duties dental assistants are allowed to
perform under California Law? Answer - It is the responsibility of the employee
to know what duties they are legally allowed to perform under California law.
What is the rheostat and where is it located in the dental office? Answer - The
rheostat is a foot pedal that controls the dental handpieces attached to the
dental unit. It is located on the floor near the back of the dental chair towards
the operator's side.
Name and describe the patient positions in dental chair Answer - Upright:
position the chair should be in when patient is entering or exiting the chair; 90-
degree angle. Supine: patient is lying flat on their back and the chair is parallel
to the floor; most common position for the completion of dental work. Sub-
supine: places the patient's head lower than their feet.
The assistants stool should be how many inches higher than the operator?
Answer - The assistants stool should be positioned four (4) to six (6) inches
higher than the operator.
,Why should the assistants stool be higher than the operators? Answer - It helps
the assistant gain access and visualization into the patient's mouth.
What information does the clock concept provide? Answer - The clock concept
designates working areas for each member of the dental team providing direct
patient care.
What is four handed dentistry? Answer - Four handed dentistry is a team
approach to delivering dental care. One dentist and one assistant perform
dental care on a patient in ergonomically pleasing, seated positions around the
dental chair. One dentist and one assistant = four hands.
Why is light positioning important? Answer - placement, adjustment and care
of the overhead patient light are the responsibility of the chaireid Light
positioning is important, so both the dentist and the assistant can see into the
oral cavity T assistant.
What does "position of use" mean and when is it important? Answer - The
term "position of use" refers to the instrument being transferred with the
working end pointing toward the arch (maxillary or mandibular) being worked
on.
Which hand is used for instrument exchange? Answer - The left hand is used
for instrument exchange.
Do you know the difference between an allergy and sensitivity? Answer - An
allergy is a hypersensitivity to a material, substance, food or animal. It creates
an immune response from the body's systems causing symptoms for the
patient that can range from mild to severe. Some allergies may be severe
resulting in anaphylactic shock and is life threatening. Sensitivity is a small or
, mild reaction to a material, substance, food or animal. There are generally no
symptoms for the patient to deal with and no life- threatening responses occur.
When a patient indicates an "allergy to Novocain", what does this really mean?
Answer - This means the patient has had a past reaction to an ingredient in the
anesthetic called Epinephrine. Epinephrine is added to prolong the working
effect of the anesthetic. Epinephrine works very similar to Adrenaline found in
the human body. Therefore, the patient may feel an increased heart rate, rapid
breathing, and sweating. Novocain is a type of anesthetic that has not been
used in dentistry for many years. The anesthetic used today is Lidocaine or
Xylocaine, each containing Epinephrine. There are anesthetics without
Epinephrine for patients who are sensitive or allergic to it.
Do you know the common medical conditions that may require a patient to
take pretreatment oral prophylaxis (premedication)? Answer - have a heart
condition or have Patients may be required by their medical doctor to take
premedication prior to dental work tet had joint replacement surgeries. The
dentist should consult with ue patient's doctor to ensure proper protocol is
being followed for the patient's conditions.
If a patient indicates they are so for the current appointment, required to take
premedication prior to dental treatment and they did not do so for the current
appointment, what is the next step the assistant should take? Answer - Let the
dentist know that the patient forgot to take to their premedication. Some
dentists will keep antibiotics in the office for just such an occurrence and will
administer the antibiotics on site. Some dentists may reappoint the patient if
they do not have antibiotics on site.
Where fear and anxiety about being at the dental office is present, what steps
should an assistant take during the health history and dental review to help
alleviate those fears? Answer - Let the patient know that it is okay to ask as
many stay with the patient until the dentist comes into the operatory. Tell the
patient they are in control questions as they need to. Be approachable and of
the procedure and can stop at any time for a break. Using a calm reassuring
UPDATE WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION
Describe the various roles dental assistants assume in the dental office. Answer
- Business or administrative assistant, dental office manager and chairside or
clinical assistant.
Who is responsible for knowing what duties dental assistants are allowed to
perform under California Law? Answer - It is the responsibility of the employee
to know what duties they are legally allowed to perform under California law.
What is the rheostat and where is it located in the dental office? Answer - The
rheostat is a foot pedal that controls the dental handpieces attached to the
dental unit. It is located on the floor near the back of the dental chair towards
the operator's side.
Name and describe the patient positions in dental chair Answer - Upright:
position the chair should be in when patient is entering or exiting the chair; 90-
degree angle. Supine: patient is lying flat on their back and the chair is parallel
to the floor; most common position for the completion of dental work. Sub-
supine: places the patient's head lower than their feet.
The assistants stool should be how many inches higher than the operator?
Answer - The assistants stool should be positioned four (4) to six (6) inches
higher than the operator.
,Why should the assistants stool be higher than the operators? Answer - It helps
the assistant gain access and visualization into the patient's mouth.
What information does the clock concept provide? Answer - The clock concept
designates working areas for each member of the dental team providing direct
patient care.
What is four handed dentistry? Answer - Four handed dentistry is a team
approach to delivering dental care. One dentist and one assistant perform
dental care on a patient in ergonomically pleasing, seated positions around the
dental chair. One dentist and one assistant = four hands.
Why is light positioning important? Answer - placement, adjustment and care
of the overhead patient light are the responsibility of the chaireid Light
positioning is important, so both the dentist and the assistant can see into the
oral cavity T assistant.
What does "position of use" mean and when is it important? Answer - The
term "position of use" refers to the instrument being transferred with the
working end pointing toward the arch (maxillary or mandibular) being worked
on.
Which hand is used for instrument exchange? Answer - The left hand is used
for instrument exchange.
Do you know the difference between an allergy and sensitivity? Answer - An
allergy is a hypersensitivity to a material, substance, food or animal. It creates
an immune response from the body's systems causing symptoms for the
patient that can range from mild to severe. Some allergies may be severe
resulting in anaphylactic shock and is life threatening. Sensitivity is a small or
, mild reaction to a material, substance, food or animal. There are generally no
symptoms for the patient to deal with and no life- threatening responses occur.
When a patient indicates an "allergy to Novocain", what does this really mean?
Answer - This means the patient has had a past reaction to an ingredient in the
anesthetic called Epinephrine. Epinephrine is added to prolong the working
effect of the anesthetic. Epinephrine works very similar to Adrenaline found in
the human body. Therefore, the patient may feel an increased heart rate, rapid
breathing, and sweating. Novocain is a type of anesthetic that has not been
used in dentistry for many years. The anesthetic used today is Lidocaine or
Xylocaine, each containing Epinephrine. There are anesthetics without
Epinephrine for patients who are sensitive or allergic to it.
Do you know the common medical conditions that may require a patient to
take pretreatment oral prophylaxis (premedication)? Answer - have a heart
condition or have Patients may be required by their medical doctor to take
premedication prior to dental work tet had joint replacement surgeries. The
dentist should consult with ue patient's doctor to ensure proper protocol is
being followed for the patient's conditions.
If a patient indicates they are so for the current appointment, required to take
premedication prior to dental treatment and they did not do so for the current
appointment, what is the next step the assistant should take? Answer - Let the
dentist know that the patient forgot to take to their premedication. Some
dentists will keep antibiotics in the office for just such an occurrence and will
administer the antibiotics on site. Some dentists may reappoint the patient if
they do not have antibiotics on site.
Where fear and anxiety about being at the dental office is present, what steps
should an assistant take during the health history and dental review to help
alleviate those fears? Answer - Let the patient know that it is okay to ask as
many stay with the patient until the dentist comes into the operatory. Tell the
patient they are in control questions as they need to. Be approachable and of
the procedure and can stop at any time for a break. Using a calm reassuring
