MN Dental Assistant Licensure Exam 2025/2026 |
Complete Exam with 200 Actual Questions & 100%
Correct Answers
Minnesota Dental Assistant Licensure Exam | Key Concepts: Chairside Assisting, Dental
Anatomy, Radiography, Infection Control, Sterilization, Dental Materials, Expanded Functions,
Ethics, and State Regulations | Expert-Verified Q&A | Licensing & Exam-Ready
Introduction
This updated 2025/2026 Minnesota Dental Assistant Licensure Exam resource provides 200
fully verified actual exam questions with 100% correct answers. Content covers essential dental
assisting knowledge including patient care, radiology techniques, sterilization protocols, dental
anatomy, restorative and preventive procedures, Minnesota state-specific regulations, and
ethical practice. All answers are already graded A+ and ensure complete preparation for MN
Dental Assistant licensing exam success.
Answer Format
All correct answers are highlighted in bold and green, with rationales that explain dental
assisting priorities, reinforce safe and ethical practice, and strengthen exam-focused clinical
knowledge for licensure readiness.
MN Dental Assistant Licensure Exam 2025/2026 (200 Questions)
Question 1: What is the primary role of a dental assistant during chairside
assisting?
A) Diagnosing patient conditions
B) Providing direct support to the dentist
C) Performing surgical procedures
D) Managing the dental office finances
B) Providing direct support to the dentist
Rationale: Chairside assisting involves supporting the dentist with patient care and
procedures.
Question 2: Which tooth surface is closest to the midline of the mouth?
A) Distal
B) Mesial
C) Buccal
D) Lingual
,B) Mesial
Rationale: The mesial surface faces the midline of the dental arch.
Question 3: What is the minimum exposure time for dental X-rays using a digital
sensor?
A) 0.1 seconds
B) 0.5 seconds
C) 1.0 seconds
D) 2.0 seconds
A) 0.1 seconds
Rationale: Digital sensors require shorter exposure times for safety and efficiency.
Question 4: Which step is essential in infection control before patient treatment?
A) Sterilizing instruments after use
B) Washing hands thoroughly
C) Cleaning the waiting room
D) Checking patient insurance
B) Washing hands thoroughly
Rationale: Handwashing prevents cross-contamination before procedures.
Question 5: What is the recommended sterilization method for dental
instruments?
A) Boiling water
B) Autoclave
C) Chemical soak
D) Dry heat
B) Autoclave
Rationale: Autoclaving uses steam under pressure to kill all microorganisms.
Question 6: Which material is commonly used for dental fillings?
A) Porcelain
B) Amalgam
C) Gold
D) Acrylic
B) Amalgam
Rationale: Amalgam is durable and widely used for posterior restorations.
Question 7: What expanded function requires MN Board approval for a Licensed
Dental Assistant (LDA)?
A) Taking vital signs
B) Placing composite restorations
C) Scheduling appointments
D) Polishing teeth
B) Placing composite restorations
Rationale: This requires specific training and board approval in Minnesota.
,Question 8: What is a key ethical principle in dental assisting?
A) Maximizing profit
B) Maintaining patient confidentiality
C) Avoiding patient interaction
D) Promoting unnecessary treatments
B) Maintaining patient confidentiality
Rationale: Confidentiality protects patient privacy and trust.
Question 9: Under Minnesota law, who supervises a Licensed Dental Assistant?
A) Dental hygienist
B) Licensed dentist
C) Office manager
D) Receptionist
B) Licensed dentist
Rationale: LDAs work under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.
Question 10: What is the purpose of a dental dam during procedures?
A) To polish teeth
B) To isolate the working area
C) To take X-rays
D) To clean instruments
B) To isolate the working area
Rationale: A dental dam keeps the area dry and free of saliva.
Question 11: Which anatomical structure is located behind the last molar?
A) Maxillary sinus
B) Retromolar pad
C) Frenulum
D) Gingival margin
B) Retromolar pad
Rationale: The retromolar pad is the soft tissue behind the last molar.
Question 12: What is the correct angulation for a bitewing X-ray?
A) 0 degrees
B) 10-15 degrees vertically
C) 30-40 degrees vertically
D) 90 degrees
B) 10-15 degrees vertically
Rationale: This angle captures the crowns and interproximal areas effectively.
Question 13: Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory for dental
assistants?
A) Gloves and mask
B) Apron only
C) Safety goggles only
D) Hairnet
, A) Gloves and mask
Rationale: These protect against bloodborne pathogens and aerosols.
Question 14: What is the first step in the sterilization process?
A) Packaging instruments
B) Cleaning and decontamination
C) Autoclaving
D) Drying instruments
B) Cleaning and decontamination
Rationale: Removes debris before sterilization to ensure effectiveness.
Question 15: Which dental material is used for temporary crowns?
A) Composite
B) Acrylic
C) Porcelain
D) Gold
B) Acrylic
Rationale: Acrylic is easy to mold and suitable for temporary use.
Question 16: What expanded function allows an LDA to monitor nitrous oxide?
A) Administering local anesthesia
B) Monitoring under indirect supervision
C) Performing extractions
D) Taking impressions
B) Monitoring under indirect supervision
Rationale: Requires specific training and dentist oversight in Minnesota.
Question 17: What is the minimum continuing education (CE) requirement for
LDA renewal in MN?
A) 10 hours every year
B) 25 hours every two years
C) 15 hours every year
D) 30 hours every two years
B) 25 hours every two years
Rationale: MN requires 25 CE hours biennially for LDA license renewal.
Question 18: Which regulation requires LDAs to maintain CPR certification?
A) OSHA
B) MN Board of Dentistry
C) ADA
D) CDC
B) MN Board of Dentistry
Rationale: This is a state-specific requirement for LDAs.
Question 19: What is the purpose of a dental chart?
A) To schedule appointments
B) To record patient treatment history
Complete Exam with 200 Actual Questions & 100%
Correct Answers
Minnesota Dental Assistant Licensure Exam | Key Concepts: Chairside Assisting, Dental
Anatomy, Radiography, Infection Control, Sterilization, Dental Materials, Expanded Functions,
Ethics, and State Regulations | Expert-Verified Q&A | Licensing & Exam-Ready
Introduction
This updated 2025/2026 Minnesota Dental Assistant Licensure Exam resource provides 200
fully verified actual exam questions with 100% correct answers. Content covers essential dental
assisting knowledge including patient care, radiology techniques, sterilization protocols, dental
anatomy, restorative and preventive procedures, Minnesota state-specific regulations, and
ethical practice. All answers are already graded A+ and ensure complete preparation for MN
Dental Assistant licensing exam success.
Answer Format
All correct answers are highlighted in bold and green, with rationales that explain dental
assisting priorities, reinforce safe and ethical practice, and strengthen exam-focused clinical
knowledge for licensure readiness.
MN Dental Assistant Licensure Exam 2025/2026 (200 Questions)
Question 1: What is the primary role of a dental assistant during chairside
assisting?
A) Diagnosing patient conditions
B) Providing direct support to the dentist
C) Performing surgical procedures
D) Managing the dental office finances
B) Providing direct support to the dentist
Rationale: Chairside assisting involves supporting the dentist with patient care and
procedures.
Question 2: Which tooth surface is closest to the midline of the mouth?
A) Distal
B) Mesial
C) Buccal
D) Lingual
,B) Mesial
Rationale: The mesial surface faces the midline of the dental arch.
Question 3: What is the minimum exposure time for dental X-rays using a digital
sensor?
A) 0.1 seconds
B) 0.5 seconds
C) 1.0 seconds
D) 2.0 seconds
A) 0.1 seconds
Rationale: Digital sensors require shorter exposure times for safety and efficiency.
Question 4: Which step is essential in infection control before patient treatment?
A) Sterilizing instruments after use
B) Washing hands thoroughly
C) Cleaning the waiting room
D) Checking patient insurance
B) Washing hands thoroughly
Rationale: Handwashing prevents cross-contamination before procedures.
Question 5: What is the recommended sterilization method for dental
instruments?
A) Boiling water
B) Autoclave
C) Chemical soak
D) Dry heat
B) Autoclave
Rationale: Autoclaving uses steam under pressure to kill all microorganisms.
Question 6: Which material is commonly used for dental fillings?
A) Porcelain
B) Amalgam
C) Gold
D) Acrylic
B) Amalgam
Rationale: Amalgam is durable and widely used for posterior restorations.
Question 7: What expanded function requires MN Board approval for a Licensed
Dental Assistant (LDA)?
A) Taking vital signs
B) Placing composite restorations
C) Scheduling appointments
D) Polishing teeth
B) Placing composite restorations
Rationale: This requires specific training and board approval in Minnesota.
,Question 8: What is a key ethical principle in dental assisting?
A) Maximizing profit
B) Maintaining patient confidentiality
C) Avoiding patient interaction
D) Promoting unnecessary treatments
B) Maintaining patient confidentiality
Rationale: Confidentiality protects patient privacy and trust.
Question 9: Under Minnesota law, who supervises a Licensed Dental Assistant?
A) Dental hygienist
B) Licensed dentist
C) Office manager
D) Receptionist
B) Licensed dentist
Rationale: LDAs work under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.
Question 10: What is the purpose of a dental dam during procedures?
A) To polish teeth
B) To isolate the working area
C) To take X-rays
D) To clean instruments
B) To isolate the working area
Rationale: A dental dam keeps the area dry and free of saliva.
Question 11: Which anatomical structure is located behind the last molar?
A) Maxillary sinus
B) Retromolar pad
C) Frenulum
D) Gingival margin
B) Retromolar pad
Rationale: The retromolar pad is the soft tissue behind the last molar.
Question 12: What is the correct angulation for a bitewing X-ray?
A) 0 degrees
B) 10-15 degrees vertically
C) 30-40 degrees vertically
D) 90 degrees
B) 10-15 degrees vertically
Rationale: This angle captures the crowns and interproximal areas effectively.
Question 13: Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory for dental
assistants?
A) Gloves and mask
B) Apron only
C) Safety goggles only
D) Hairnet
, A) Gloves and mask
Rationale: These protect against bloodborne pathogens and aerosols.
Question 14: What is the first step in the sterilization process?
A) Packaging instruments
B) Cleaning and decontamination
C) Autoclaving
D) Drying instruments
B) Cleaning and decontamination
Rationale: Removes debris before sterilization to ensure effectiveness.
Question 15: Which dental material is used for temporary crowns?
A) Composite
B) Acrylic
C) Porcelain
D) Gold
B) Acrylic
Rationale: Acrylic is easy to mold and suitable for temporary use.
Question 16: What expanded function allows an LDA to monitor nitrous oxide?
A) Administering local anesthesia
B) Monitoring under indirect supervision
C) Performing extractions
D) Taking impressions
B) Monitoring under indirect supervision
Rationale: Requires specific training and dentist oversight in Minnesota.
Question 17: What is the minimum continuing education (CE) requirement for
LDA renewal in MN?
A) 10 hours every year
B) 25 hours every two years
C) 15 hours every year
D) 30 hours every two years
B) 25 hours every two years
Rationale: MN requires 25 CE hours biennially for LDA license renewal.
Question 18: Which regulation requires LDAs to maintain CPR certification?
A) OSHA
B) MN Board of Dentistry
C) ADA
D) CDC
B) MN Board of Dentistry
Rationale: This is a state-specific requirement for LDAs.
Question 19: What is the purpose of a dental chart?
A) To schedule appointments
B) To record patient treatment history
