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106-MDG Maryland General Dental Assisting Expanded
Function (MDG) Exam Actual Test Questions and Correct
Answers With Rationales LATEST THIS YEAR
EXAM COVERAGE (Point Form)
• Provider: Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) in coordination with the Maryland Board of
Dental Examiners
• Format: 125 questions, 90 minutes, computer-based testing
• Eligibility: High school diploma/GED; one year clinical dental assisting experience OR completion
of a DANB-approved dental assisting program; current employment in a general dental practice
for clinical training verification
• Recertification: Renewal every 2 years with continuing education requirements including clinical
hands-on training (effective October 1, 2025)
Core Content Areas (Weighted)
1. Perform Vitality Tests (2-5%): Cold and electric pulp testing procedures, normal vs. abnormal
responses, interpretation of findings
2. Take Alginate Impressions for Study Models, Diagnostic Casts, and Intraoral Appliances (5-
8%): Material handling, tray selection, pouring and trimming diagnostic casts, custom tray
fabrication
3. Apply Topical Anesthetic (2-5%): Indications/contraindications, application techniques, adverse
reaction management
4. Apply Topical Fluoride (2-5%): Types and concentrations, application techniques, post-
treatment education
5. Prepare and Cement Temporary Crowns and Restorations (6-7%): Fabrication, selection and
sizing, cementation techniques, excess cement removal
6. Remove Temporary Crowns (2-5%): Safe removal techniques, tooth assessment for permanent
restoration
7. Remove Excess Cement (5-7%): Timing and techniques, patient comfort, tissue trauma
prevention
8. Place or Remove Retraction Cords (5-7%): Purpose and function, placement/removal
techniques, hemostasis management
9. Place Desensitizing Agents (2-5%): Causes of dentin hypersensitivity, application techniques,
patient education
10. Place or Remove Rubber Dams (4-5%): Isolation procedures, clamp selection, safe removal
techniques
11. Place or Remove a Matrix Band/Wedge (5-7%): Function in restorative dentistry, accurate
placement techniques
12. Prepare and Fit Stainless Steel Crowns (2-4%): Size selection, tooth preparation, crown fitting
13. Construct Athletic Mouthguards and Custom Trays (5-7%): Impression techniques, fabrication
for whitening or therapeutic applications
14. Perform Etching and Bonding Procedures (5-7%): Chemistry, application techniques,
troubleshooting
15. Dry a Root Canal (2-4%): Techniques and materials, moisture control importance
16. Remove Sutures (2-3%): Suture type identification, safe removal techniques, post-operative
care
17. Remove or Replace a Periodontal Dressing (2-3%): Purpose and types, application and removal
procedures
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18. Demonstrate Knowledge of Oral and Dental Anatomy (5-8%): Oral cavity structures, tooth
types and components, anatomical variations
19. Demonstrate Knowledge of Oral and Dental Morphology (5-7%): Developmental stages,
morphological characteristics, anomalies
Regulatory Updates (Effective October 1, 2025)
• Initial EFDA certification courses must include at least 35 hours of combined in-person and
online instruction
• Continuing education requirements now explicitly include clinical hands-on training
• Reinstatement of expired certifications requires completion of continuing education, renewal
application, and fee payment
• Approved educational programs now include the Dale Foundation and Trapezio Orthodontic
Assistant Training Solutions
1. A patient undergoes a vitality test using a cold spray. Which response most likely indicates a
healthy pulp?
A) No response at all
B) Immediate sharp pain that quickly subsides
C) Delayed dull pain lasting several minutes
D) Severe lingering pain
Answer: B) Immediate sharp pain that quickly subsides
Rationale: A healthy pulp generally shows an immediate, brief sharp response to cold stimuli. Prolonged
pain or no response may indicate pathology .
2. During an electric pulp test, a patient experiences a response at a lower-than-average threshold.
What does this suggest?
A) Normal pulp vitality
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B) A non-vital tooth
C) Hyper-responsive pulp
D) Inaccurate testing technique
Answer: C) Hyper-responsive pulp
Rationale: A lower threshold indicates that the nerve fibers are more reactive, which is common in cases
of hyperesthesia, not a normal finding .
3. When performing a vitality test, which instrument is most commonly used?
A) Explorer
B) Mirror
C) Electric pulp tester
D) Condenser
Answer: C) Electric pulp tester
Rationale: An electric pulp tester is a standard instrument to assess pulp vitality by measuring nerve
response .
4. A patient reports no sensation during a cold test. Which factor must be ruled out before diagnosing
non-vitality?
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A) Anxiety interfering with response
B) Recent administration of local anesthesia
C) Poor insulation of the instrument
D) Incorrect lighting in the operatory
Answer: B) Recent administration of local anesthesia
Rationale: Recent local anesthesia can mask pulp response; therefore, it must be ruled out before
concluding that the pulp is non-vital .
5. Which material is essential when performing a thermal vitality test?
A) Polyvinyl siloxane
B) Endo ice
C) Alginate
D) Zinc phosphate cement
Answer: B) Endo ice
Rationale: Endo ice is used to perform cold tests by providing a controlled low temperature for assessing
pulp vitality .
106-MDG Maryland General Dental Assisting Expanded
Function (MDG) Exam Actual Test Questions and Correct
Answers With Rationales LATEST THIS YEAR
EXAM COVERAGE (Point Form)
• Provider: Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) in coordination with the Maryland Board of
Dental Examiners
• Format: 125 questions, 90 minutes, computer-based testing
• Eligibility: High school diploma/GED; one year clinical dental assisting experience OR completion
of a DANB-approved dental assisting program; current employment in a general dental practice
for clinical training verification
• Recertification: Renewal every 2 years with continuing education requirements including clinical
hands-on training (effective October 1, 2025)
Core Content Areas (Weighted)
1. Perform Vitality Tests (2-5%): Cold and electric pulp testing procedures, normal vs. abnormal
responses, interpretation of findings
2. Take Alginate Impressions for Study Models, Diagnostic Casts, and Intraoral Appliances (5-
8%): Material handling, tray selection, pouring and trimming diagnostic casts, custom tray
fabrication
3. Apply Topical Anesthetic (2-5%): Indications/contraindications, application techniques, adverse
reaction management
4. Apply Topical Fluoride (2-5%): Types and concentrations, application techniques, post-
treatment education
5. Prepare and Cement Temporary Crowns and Restorations (6-7%): Fabrication, selection and
sizing, cementation techniques, excess cement removal
6. Remove Temporary Crowns (2-5%): Safe removal techniques, tooth assessment for permanent
restoration
7. Remove Excess Cement (5-7%): Timing and techniques, patient comfort, tissue trauma
prevention
8. Place or Remove Retraction Cords (5-7%): Purpose and function, placement/removal
techniques, hemostasis management
9. Place Desensitizing Agents (2-5%): Causes of dentin hypersensitivity, application techniques,
patient education
10. Place or Remove Rubber Dams (4-5%): Isolation procedures, clamp selection, safe removal
techniques
11. Place or Remove a Matrix Band/Wedge (5-7%): Function in restorative dentistry, accurate
placement techniques
12. Prepare and Fit Stainless Steel Crowns (2-4%): Size selection, tooth preparation, crown fitting
13. Construct Athletic Mouthguards and Custom Trays (5-7%): Impression techniques, fabrication
for whitening or therapeutic applications
14. Perform Etching and Bonding Procedures (5-7%): Chemistry, application techniques,
troubleshooting
15. Dry a Root Canal (2-4%): Techniques and materials, moisture control importance
16. Remove Sutures (2-3%): Suture type identification, safe removal techniques, post-operative
care
17. Remove or Replace a Periodontal Dressing (2-3%): Purpose and types, application and removal
procedures
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18. Demonstrate Knowledge of Oral and Dental Anatomy (5-8%): Oral cavity structures, tooth
types and components, anatomical variations
19. Demonstrate Knowledge of Oral and Dental Morphology (5-7%): Developmental stages,
morphological characteristics, anomalies
Regulatory Updates (Effective October 1, 2025)
• Initial EFDA certification courses must include at least 35 hours of combined in-person and
online instruction
• Continuing education requirements now explicitly include clinical hands-on training
• Reinstatement of expired certifications requires completion of continuing education, renewal
application, and fee payment
• Approved educational programs now include the Dale Foundation and Trapezio Orthodontic
Assistant Training Solutions
1. A patient undergoes a vitality test using a cold spray. Which response most likely indicates a
healthy pulp?
A) No response at all
B) Immediate sharp pain that quickly subsides
C) Delayed dull pain lasting several minutes
D) Severe lingering pain
Answer: B) Immediate sharp pain that quickly subsides
Rationale: A healthy pulp generally shows an immediate, brief sharp response to cold stimuli. Prolonged
pain or no response may indicate pathology .
2. During an electric pulp test, a patient experiences a response at a lower-than-average threshold.
What does this suggest?
A) Normal pulp vitality
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B) A non-vital tooth
C) Hyper-responsive pulp
D) Inaccurate testing technique
Answer: C) Hyper-responsive pulp
Rationale: A lower threshold indicates that the nerve fibers are more reactive, which is common in cases
of hyperesthesia, not a normal finding .
3. When performing a vitality test, which instrument is most commonly used?
A) Explorer
B) Mirror
C) Electric pulp tester
D) Condenser
Answer: C) Electric pulp tester
Rationale: An electric pulp tester is a standard instrument to assess pulp vitality by measuring nerve
response .
4. A patient reports no sensation during a cold test. Which factor must be ruled out before diagnosing
non-vitality?
, Page 4 of 128
A) Anxiety interfering with response
B) Recent administration of local anesthesia
C) Poor insulation of the instrument
D) Incorrect lighting in the operatory
Answer: B) Recent administration of local anesthesia
Rationale: Recent local anesthesia can mask pulp response; therefore, it must be ruled out before
concluding that the pulp is non-vital .
5. Which material is essential when performing a thermal vitality test?
A) Polyvinyl siloxane
B) Endo ice
C) Alginate
D) Zinc phosphate cement
Answer: B) Endo ice
Rationale: Endo ice is used to perform cold tests by providing a controlled low temperature for assessing
pulp vitality .
