ARKANSAS DENTAL ASSISTANT
CERTIFICATION EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
LATEST 2026-2027 UPDATE
Section 1: Arkansas Dental Assisting Regulations
1. In Arkansas, delegated dental assistant functions generally must
be performed under what type of supervision?
A. General supervision
B. Personal supervision
C. No supervision
D. Remote supervision
Correct Answer: B. Personal supervision
Rationale: Arkansas rules provide that delegated dental assistant
functions must be performed under the personal supervision of a
licensed dentist. Personal supervision includes the dentist being present,
having diagnosed and authorized treatment, remaining present during the
procedure, and evaluating the assistant's performance before dismissal.
2. Which person is ultimately responsible for patient care when a
dentist delegates a task to a dental assistant?
A. The dental assistant
B. The office manager
C. The supervising dentist
D. The dental hygienist
Correct Answer: C. The supervising dentist
,Rationale: Arkansas rules state that the dentist remains ultimately
responsible for patient care even when duties are delegated.
3. Which factor should the dentist consider when deciding whether
to delegate a procedure to an assistant?
A. The assistant's skills
B. The patient's needs
C. The requirements of the task
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: The supervising dentist considers the assistant's skills,
patient needs, task requirements, and whether proof of competence is
required.
4. A dental assistant who obtains a coronal polishing permit may
also be delegated which procedure under Arkansas rules?
A. Tooth extraction
B. Dental sealant placement
C. Root canal treatment
D. Crown preparation
Correct Answer: B. Dental sealant placement
Rationale: An Arkansas dental assistant with a Coronal Polishing
Permit may be delegated placement of dental sealants under the
supervision of a licensed dentist.
, 5. In Arkansas, an assistant who receives one or more expanded-
function permits becomes a:
A. Dental hygienist
B. Dental technician
C. Registered dental assistant
D. Dental specialist
Correct Answer: C. Registered dental assistant
Rationale: Arkansas rules state that after receiving one or more
expanded-function permits, the dental assistant is considered a registered
dental assistant with the Board.
6. Which expanded function requires an Arkansas Board-approved
course before a dental assistant may induce and monitor nitrous
oxide/oxygen analgesia?
A. CPR only
B. Nitrous oxide/oxygen course
C. Coronal polishing course
D. Dental radiography course
Correct Answer: B. Nitrous oxide/oxygen course
Rationale: Arkansas requires successful completion of a Board-
approved course and payment of the designated fee before a permit is
issued for nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia.
7. Before operating dental radiographic equipment in Arkansas, an
assistant must generally:
CERTIFICATION EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
LATEST 2026-2027 UPDATE
Section 1: Arkansas Dental Assisting Regulations
1. In Arkansas, delegated dental assistant functions generally must
be performed under what type of supervision?
A. General supervision
B. Personal supervision
C. No supervision
D. Remote supervision
Correct Answer: B. Personal supervision
Rationale: Arkansas rules provide that delegated dental assistant
functions must be performed under the personal supervision of a
licensed dentist. Personal supervision includes the dentist being present,
having diagnosed and authorized treatment, remaining present during the
procedure, and evaluating the assistant's performance before dismissal.
2. Which person is ultimately responsible for patient care when a
dentist delegates a task to a dental assistant?
A. The dental assistant
B. The office manager
C. The supervising dentist
D. The dental hygienist
Correct Answer: C. The supervising dentist
,Rationale: Arkansas rules state that the dentist remains ultimately
responsible for patient care even when duties are delegated.
3. Which factor should the dentist consider when deciding whether
to delegate a procedure to an assistant?
A. The assistant's skills
B. The patient's needs
C. The requirements of the task
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: The supervising dentist considers the assistant's skills,
patient needs, task requirements, and whether proof of competence is
required.
4. A dental assistant who obtains a coronal polishing permit may
also be delegated which procedure under Arkansas rules?
A. Tooth extraction
B. Dental sealant placement
C. Root canal treatment
D. Crown preparation
Correct Answer: B. Dental sealant placement
Rationale: An Arkansas dental assistant with a Coronal Polishing
Permit may be delegated placement of dental sealants under the
supervision of a licensed dentist.
, 5. In Arkansas, an assistant who receives one or more expanded-
function permits becomes a:
A. Dental hygienist
B. Dental technician
C. Registered dental assistant
D. Dental specialist
Correct Answer: C. Registered dental assistant
Rationale: Arkansas rules state that after receiving one or more
expanded-function permits, the dental assistant is considered a registered
dental assistant with the Board.
6. Which expanded function requires an Arkansas Board-approved
course before a dental assistant may induce and monitor nitrous
oxide/oxygen analgesia?
A. CPR only
B. Nitrous oxide/oxygen course
C. Coronal polishing course
D. Dental radiography course
Correct Answer: B. Nitrous oxide/oxygen course
Rationale: Arkansas requires successful completion of a Board-
approved course and payment of the designated fee before a permit is
issued for nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia.
7. Before operating dental radiographic equipment in Arkansas, an
assistant must generally:
