LATEST NEW YORK STATE DENTIST
LICENSING EXAM | FREQUENTLY TESTED
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
AND RATIONALES.
1. According to NYS Education Law, how often
must a licensed dentist complete mandatory
infection control training?
A. Once in a lifetime
B. Every 3 years
C. Every 4 years
D. Every 5 years
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Infection control certification must be
renewed every four years under NYS
requirements .
2. What is the minimum passing score for each
subject of the NYS dental licensing
examination?
A. 65.0
,B. 70.0
C. 75.0
D. 80.0
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The passing score in each subject of
each part shall be 75.0, as determined by the
State Board for Dentistry .
3. A 45-year-old patient presents with
spontaneous gingival bleeding, petechiae on
the soft palate, and generalized moderate
periodontitis. Platelet count is 18,000/mm³.
What is the MOST appropriate immediate
action?
A. Perform full-mouth scaling and root planing
B. Prescribe amoxicillin and metronidazole
C. Refer to a physician for medical management
before any dental treatment
D. Extract hemorrhagic teeth under local
anesthesia with epinephrine
Correct answer: C
,Rationale: Platelet count <20,000/mm³ indicates
severe thrombocytopenia with spontaneous
bleeding risk. Elective dental treatment is
contraindicated; physician management is
required before any procedure .
4. Which local anesthetic is CONTRAINDICATED
in a patient with severe liver disease (Child-
Pugh C)?
A. Lidocaine
B. Prilocaine
C. Mepivacaine
D. All amide local anesthetics
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Amide local anesthetics (lidocaine,
prilocaine, mepivacaine, bupivacaine, articaine)
are hepatically metabolized and may
accumulate to toxic levels. Esters (procaine,
tetracaine) are plasma-hydrolyzed and safer .
, 5. A patient presents with insidious onset of
unilateral submandibular swelling, trismus,
fever, and elevation of the tongue 2 weeks after
RCT of tooth #19. Most likely diagnosis?
A. Osteoradionecrosis
B. Ludwig's angina
C. Trigeminal neuralgia
D. Mumps
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Post-RCT infection spreading to
sublingual and submandibular spaces indicates
Ludwig's angina, an airway emergency
requiring immediate hospitalization and
possible surgical airway .
6. How many hours of continuing education are
required for New York dentists every three
years?
A. 30 hours
B. 45 hours
C. 60 hours
LICENSING EXAM | FREQUENTLY TESTED
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
AND RATIONALES.
1. According to NYS Education Law, how often
must a licensed dentist complete mandatory
infection control training?
A. Once in a lifetime
B. Every 3 years
C. Every 4 years
D. Every 5 years
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Infection control certification must be
renewed every four years under NYS
requirements .
2. What is the minimum passing score for each
subject of the NYS dental licensing
examination?
A. 65.0
,B. 70.0
C. 75.0
D. 80.0
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The passing score in each subject of
each part shall be 75.0, as determined by the
State Board for Dentistry .
3. A 45-year-old patient presents with
spontaneous gingival bleeding, petechiae on
the soft palate, and generalized moderate
periodontitis. Platelet count is 18,000/mm³.
What is the MOST appropriate immediate
action?
A. Perform full-mouth scaling and root planing
B. Prescribe amoxicillin and metronidazole
C. Refer to a physician for medical management
before any dental treatment
D. Extract hemorrhagic teeth under local
anesthesia with epinephrine
Correct answer: C
,Rationale: Platelet count <20,000/mm³ indicates
severe thrombocytopenia with spontaneous
bleeding risk. Elective dental treatment is
contraindicated; physician management is
required before any procedure .
4. Which local anesthetic is CONTRAINDICATED
in a patient with severe liver disease (Child-
Pugh C)?
A. Lidocaine
B. Prilocaine
C. Mepivacaine
D. All amide local anesthetics
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Amide local anesthetics (lidocaine,
prilocaine, mepivacaine, bupivacaine, articaine)
are hepatically metabolized and may
accumulate to toxic levels. Esters (procaine,
tetracaine) are plasma-hydrolyzed and safer .
, 5. A patient presents with insidious onset of
unilateral submandibular swelling, trismus,
fever, and elevation of the tongue 2 weeks after
RCT of tooth #19. Most likely diagnosis?
A. Osteoradionecrosis
B. Ludwig's angina
C. Trigeminal neuralgia
D. Mumps
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Post-RCT infection spreading to
sublingual and submandibular spaces indicates
Ludwig's angina, an airway emergency
requiring immediate hospitalization and
possible surgical airway .
6. How many hours of continuing education are
required for New York dentists every three
years?
A. 30 hours
B. 45 hours
C. 60 hours
