CPFDA Certification Exam Prep 2026 Updated Practice
Questions Comprehensive Preventive Dental Assisting
Review Detailed Explanations, Verified Answers,
Complete Success Workbook
Coronal Polish (CP) Exam Blueprint:
Domain Weight
Dental and Oral Anatomy 8%
Oral Prophylaxis 7%
Objective of Coronal Polish 7%
Dental Deposits 15%
Polishing Precautions 15%
Patient Education and Recordkeeping 10%
Abrasives and Polishing Agents 8%
Polishing Technique 20%
Infection Control/OSHA Protocol 10%
Sealants (SE) Exam Blueprint:
,Domain Weight
Purpose of Sealants 10%
Indications and Contraindications 40%
Acid Etching 10%
Sealants (Application) 40%
Topical Fluoride (TF) Exam Blueprint:
Domain Weight
Basic Information About Fluoride 10%
Indications and Contraindications 30%
Benefits of Topical Fluoride 15%
Topical Fluoride Application 15%
Fluoride Preparations 10%
Adverse Reactions 10%
Patient Education 10%
DOMAIN 1: CORONAL POLISH (CP) — Questions 1-40
,SECTION A: Dental and Oral Anatomy (Questions 1-5)
QUESTION 1
Using the Universal Numbering System, which tooth number corresponds to
the maxillary right first premolar?
A) Tooth #4
B) Tooth #5
C) Tooth #12
D) Tooth #13
ANSWER: B) Tooth #5
RATIONALE: In the Universal Numbering System, tooth #5 is the maxillary
right first premolar. Tooth #4 is the maxillary right first molar. Tooth #12 is
the maxillary left first premolar. Tooth #13 is the maxillary left first molar.
The Universal system numbers permanent teeth 1-32, starting from the
maxillary right third molar (#1) across to the maxillary left third molar (#16),
then down to the mandibular left third molar (#17) and across to the
mandibular right third molar (#32).
QUESTION 2
The tooth surface that faces toward the cheeks is the:
A) Mesial surface
B) Distal surface
C) Buccal surface
D) Lingual surface
ANSWER: C) Buccal surface
RATIONALE: The buccal surface is the tooth surface that faces the cheeks
(buccal mucosa). The mesial surface (A) faces toward the midline. The distal
surface (B) faces away from the midline. The lingual surface (D) faces the
tongue. In the posterior region, the buccal surface is also referred to as the
facial surface.
, QUESTION 3
The dental arch containing the mandibular teeth is called the:
A) Maxillary arch
B) Superior arch
C) Inferior arch
D) Primary arch
ANSWER: C) Inferior arch
RATIONALE: The mandibular arch (lower arch) is also called the inferior
arch. The maxillary arch (upper arch) is called the superior arch (A, B). The
primary arch (D) refers to the deciduous (baby) teeth. Understanding dental
arch terminology is fundamental for charting and documentation.
QUESTION 4
Which of the following is NOT an anatomic structure of a tooth?
A) Crown
B) Root
C) Pulp chamber
D) Alveolar bone
ANSWER: D) Alveolar bone
RATIONALE: The alveolar bone is the bone that surrounds and supports the
tooth roots; it is NOT part of the tooth itself. The anatomic structures of a
tooth include the crown (A), root (B), pulp chamber (C), enamel, dentin,
cementum, and pulp. The alveolar bone is a component of the periodontium,
not the tooth.
QUESTION 5
The correct sequence of tooth divisions from the occlusal surface to the apex
is:
A) Crown, cervix, root, apex
B) Root, cervix, crown, apex
Questions Comprehensive Preventive Dental Assisting
Review Detailed Explanations, Verified Answers,
Complete Success Workbook
Coronal Polish (CP) Exam Blueprint:
Domain Weight
Dental and Oral Anatomy 8%
Oral Prophylaxis 7%
Objective of Coronal Polish 7%
Dental Deposits 15%
Polishing Precautions 15%
Patient Education and Recordkeeping 10%
Abrasives and Polishing Agents 8%
Polishing Technique 20%
Infection Control/OSHA Protocol 10%
Sealants (SE) Exam Blueprint:
,Domain Weight
Purpose of Sealants 10%
Indications and Contraindications 40%
Acid Etching 10%
Sealants (Application) 40%
Topical Fluoride (TF) Exam Blueprint:
Domain Weight
Basic Information About Fluoride 10%
Indications and Contraindications 30%
Benefits of Topical Fluoride 15%
Topical Fluoride Application 15%
Fluoride Preparations 10%
Adverse Reactions 10%
Patient Education 10%
DOMAIN 1: CORONAL POLISH (CP) — Questions 1-40
,SECTION A: Dental and Oral Anatomy (Questions 1-5)
QUESTION 1
Using the Universal Numbering System, which tooth number corresponds to
the maxillary right first premolar?
A) Tooth #4
B) Tooth #5
C) Tooth #12
D) Tooth #13
ANSWER: B) Tooth #5
RATIONALE: In the Universal Numbering System, tooth #5 is the maxillary
right first premolar. Tooth #4 is the maxillary right first molar. Tooth #12 is
the maxillary left first premolar. Tooth #13 is the maxillary left first molar.
The Universal system numbers permanent teeth 1-32, starting from the
maxillary right third molar (#1) across to the maxillary left third molar (#16),
then down to the mandibular left third molar (#17) and across to the
mandibular right third molar (#32).
QUESTION 2
The tooth surface that faces toward the cheeks is the:
A) Mesial surface
B) Distal surface
C) Buccal surface
D) Lingual surface
ANSWER: C) Buccal surface
RATIONALE: The buccal surface is the tooth surface that faces the cheeks
(buccal mucosa). The mesial surface (A) faces toward the midline. The distal
surface (B) faces away from the midline. The lingual surface (D) faces the
tongue. In the posterior region, the buccal surface is also referred to as the
facial surface.
, QUESTION 3
The dental arch containing the mandibular teeth is called the:
A) Maxillary arch
B) Superior arch
C) Inferior arch
D) Primary arch
ANSWER: C) Inferior arch
RATIONALE: The mandibular arch (lower arch) is also called the inferior
arch. The maxillary arch (upper arch) is called the superior arch (A, B). The
primary arch (D) refers to the deciduous (baby) teeth. Understanding dental
arch terminology is fundamental for charting and documentation.
QUESTION 4
Which of the following is NOT an anatomic structure of a tooth?
A) Crown
B) Root
C) Pulp chamber
D) Alveolar bone
ANSWER: D) Alveolar bone
RATIONALE: The alveolar bone is the bone that surrounds and supports the
tooth roots; it is NOT part of the tooth itself. The anatomic structures of a
tooth include the crown (A), root (B), pulp chamber (C), enamel, dentin,
cementum, and pulp. The alveolar bone is a component of the periodontium,
not the tooth.
QUESTION 5
The correct sequence of tooth divisions from the occlusal surface to the apex
is:
A) Crown, cervix, root, apex
B) Root, cervix, crown, apex
