ADEX DSE 2026
67-PAGE DIAGNOSTIC SKILLS EXAMINATION (DSE-FORMAT) STUDY GUIDE
Original Questions + Detailed Correct Answers
Professional Dental Licensure Preparation
Scope: Patient Evaluation | Comprehensive Treatment Planning | Cross-Cutting Clinical Judgments
IMPORTANT 2026 STATUS NOTE
ADEX states that registration for the individual DSE OSCE, including retakes, was discontinued
beginning June 2026. The current ADEX Dental series uses the DLOSCE as its computer-based
component. This guide preserves the published DSE diagnostic/treatment-planning framework as a
study resource while reflecting the current 2026 transition.
This guide contains original practice questions. It is not an official ADEX publication and does not
reproduce live, recalled, or leaked examination items. Answers are educational explanations and
should be checked against current official manuals and applicable clinical standards.
Prepared for 2026 Examination Preparation
67 Pages | 252 Practice Questions | Detailed Solutions
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part I - Patient Evaluation Questions 1-54 Page 4
Chapter 1 - Medical And Dental History Questions 1-18 Page 4
Chapter 2 - Physical And Oral Evaluation Questions 19-36 Page 8
Chapter 3 - Pathology, Anatomy And Diagnosis Questions 37-50 Page 13
Part Ii - Comprehensive Treatment Planning Questions 55-198 Page 17
Chapter 4 - Systemic Disease, Medical Emergencies And Special Care Questions 55-72 Page 17
Chapter 5 - Periodontal Diagnosis And Treatment Planning Questions 73-90 Page 22
Chapter 6 - Restorative Dentistry Questions 91-108 Page 26
Chapter 7 - Endodontics Questions 109-126 Page 31
Chapter 8 - Orthodontics Questions 127-144 Page 36
Chapter 9 - Oral Surgery And Implant Considerations Questions 145-162 Page 40
Chapter 10 - Pediatric Dentistry Questions 163-180 Page 45
Chapter 11 - Prosthodontics Questions 181-198 Page 50
Part Iii - Cross-Cutting Clinical Judgments Questions 199-252 Page 54
Chapter 12 - Medical Emergencies And Risk Management Questions 199-216 Page 54
Chapter 13 - Infection Control, Pharmacology And Safe Prescribing Questions 217-234 Page 59
Chapter 14 - Ethics, Consent, Outcomes And Comprehensive Cases Questions 235-252 Page 63
Rapid Review And Official Resources Final review Page 67
Blueprint note: The archived 2025-26 DSE manual describes Patient Evaluation (20%),
Comprehensive Treatment Planning (60%), and Cross-Cutting Clinical Judgments (20%).
,Current ADEX note: The 2026 ADEX Dental series uses the DLOSCE as its computer-based
component. Current ADEX materials describe single-response, multiple-response, prescription
tasks, and interactive 3D-model items for the DLOSCE.
, CHAPTER 1 - MEDICAL AND DENTAL HISTORY
Practice focus aligned to the published DSE domains and common clinical decision-making
principles.
1. For a 58-year-old patient with poorly controlled diabetes, which additional history item is
most important before elective dental treatment?
A. Medication and systemic disease review
B. Favorite toothpaste brand
C. Preferred music
D. Last haircut date
Correct Answer: A. Medication and systemic disease review
Complete Solution: The priority is to clarify diabetes and healing/infection risk. A focused medical
and medication history can change treatment timing, precautions, referrals, and the risk-benefit
assessment.
2. A 67-year-old patient taking an anticoagulant reports a new symptom. Which approach
best improves diagnostic accuracy?
A. Rely on one isolated finding
B. Obtain a focused history, examine the patient, and correlate findings
C. Immediately choose the most invasive treatment
D. Ignore the symptom if pain is mild
Correct Answer: B. Obtain a focused history, examine the patient, and correlate findings
Complete Solution: Diagnosis should integrate history, clinical examination, and relevant
diagnostic data. A single finding rarely provides enough information for a sound treatment decision.
3. Which finding in a 32-year-old patient reporting intermittent jaw pain should most
strongly prompt reassessment before proceeding with routine care?
A. A stable old restoration
67-PAGE DIAGNOSTIC SKILLS EXAMINATION (DSE-FORMAT) STUDY GUIDE
Original Questions + Detailed Correct Answers
Professional Dental Licensure Preparation
Scope: Patient Evaluation | Comprehensive Treatment Planning | Cross-Cutting Clinical Judgments
IMPORTANT 2026 STATUS NOTE
ADEX states that registration for the individual DSE OSCE, including retakes, was discontinued
beginning June 2026. The current ADEX Dental series uses the DLOSCE as its computer-based
component. This guide preserves the published DSE diagnostic/treatment-planning framework as a
study resource while reflecting the current 2026 transition.
This guide contains original practice questions. It is not an official ADEX publication and does not
reproduce live, recalled, or leaked examination items. Answers are educational explanations and
should be checked against current official manuals and applicable clinical standards.
Prepared for 2026 Examination Preparation
67 Pages | 252 Practice Questions | Detailed Solutions
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part I - Patient Evaluation Questions 1-54 Page 4
Chapter 1 - Medical And Dental History Questions 1-18 Page 4
Chapter 2 - Physical And Oral Evaluation Questions 19-36 Page 8
Chapter 3 - Pathology, Anatomy And Diagnosis Questions 37-50 Page 13
Part Ii - Comprehensive Treatment Planning Questions 55-198 Page 17
Chapter 4 - Systemic Disease, Medical Emergencies And Special Care Questions 55-72 Page 17
Chapter 5 - Periodontal Diagnosis And Treatment Planning Questions 73-90 Page 22
Chapter 6 - Restorative Dentistry Questions 91-108 Page 26
Chapter 7 - Endodontics Questions 109-126 Page 31
Chapter 8 - Orthodontics Questions 127-144 Page 36
Chapter 9 - Oral Surgery And Implant Considerations Questions 145-162 Page 40
Chapter 10 - Pediatric Dentistry Questions 163-180 Page 45
Chapter 11 - Prosthodontics Questions 181-198 Page 50
Part Iii - Cross-Cutting Clinical Judgments Questions 199-252 Page 54
Chapter 12 - Medical Emergencies And Risk Management Questions 199-216 Page 54
Chapter 13 - Infection Control, Pharmacology And Safe Prescribing Questions 217-234 Page 59
Chapter 14 - Ethics, Consent, Outcomes And Comprehensive Cases Questions 235-252 Page 63
Rapid Review And Official Resources Final review Page 67
Blueprint note: The archived 2025-26 DSE manual describes Patient Evaluation (20%),
Comprehensive Treatment Planning (60%), and Cross-Cutting Clinical Judgments (20%).
,Current ADEX note: The 2026 ADEX Dental series uses the DLOSCE as its computer-based
component. Current ADEX materials describe single-response, multiple-response, prescription
tasks, and interactive 3D-model items for the DLOSCE.
, CHAPTER 1 - MEDICAL AND DENTAL HISTORY
Practice focus aligned to the published DSE domains and common clinical decision-making
principles.
1. For a 58-year-old patient with poorly controlled diabetes, which additional history item is
most important before elective dental treatment?
A. Medication and systemic disease review
B. Favorite toothpaste brand
C. Preferred music
D. Last haircut date
Correct Answer: A. Medication and systemic disease review
Complete Solution: The priority is to clarify diabetes and healing/infection risk. A focused medical
and medication history can change treatment timing, precautions, referrals, and the risk-benefit
assessment.
2. A 67-year-old patient taking an anticoagulant reports a new symptom. Which approach
best improves diagnostic accuracy?
A. Rely on one isolated finding
B. Obtain a focused history, examine the patient, and correlate findings
C. Immediately choose the most invasive treatment
D. Ignore the symptom if pain is mild
Correct Answer: B. Obtain a focused history, examine the patient, and correlate findings
Complete Solution: Diagnosis should integrate history, clinical examination, and relevant
diagnostic data. A single finding rarely provides enough information for a sound treatment decision.
3. Which finding in a 32-year-old patient reporting intermittent jaw pain should most
strongly prompt reassessment before proceeding with routine care?
A. A stable old restoration
