DASLE MN State Exam 2026 Questions
and Answers
Clinical Crown - Correct answer-That portion of the tooth that is visible in the oral
cavity
Oral prophylaxis - Correct answer-The complete removal of calculus, debris, stain,
and plaque from the teeth.
DH and DDS allowed
Selective Polishing - Correct answer-a procedure in which only those teeth or
surfaces with stain are polished
Purpose is to avoid unnecessary removal of even small amounts of surface enamel
Indications for Coronal Polishing - Correct answer-- Before placement of dental
sealants - Before placement of dental dam - Before cementation of orthodontic
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,bands - before cementation of crowns and bridges - before application of acid
etching solution (if indicated by manufacturer)
Contraindications for Coronal Polishing - Correct answer-- when no stains are
present - patients who are high risk for dental caries (ex: bottle caries, root caries,
thin demineralization enamel) - sensitive teeth - newly erupted teeth B/C
mineralization of tooth surface maybe incomplete
Endogenous stains - Correct answer-Stains developed from within the structure of
the tooth
Example: Excessive amount of fluoride during tooth formation, medications taken
by the mother or the child during tooth development (Tetracycline)
CANNOT be removed by polishing
Exogenous Stain - Correct answer-originates from sources outside the tooth and
are caused by environmental agents.
Extrinsic Stain - Correct answer-appear on the exterior of the tooth, and CAN be
removed by polishing
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,Examples: Food, Drink, Tobacco
Intrinsic Stain - Correct answer-Caused by environmental agents but CANNOT be
removed because the stain has become incorporated into the structure of the tooth.
Examples: Amalgam tattoo, smoking, chewing, or dipping
Extrinsic Stain Examples - Correct answer-black stain, brown stain, yellow stain,
tobacco stain, green stain, dental plaque agents, food and drink, Nasmyth's
membrane
Intrinsic Stain Examples - Correct answer-Pulpless teeth, Tetracycline antibiotics,
dental fluorosis, imperfect tooth development, silver amalgam
Two methods of stain removal - Correct answer-Air-powder polishing and rubber
cup polishing
Rubber cup polishing - Correct answer-A technique that is used to remove plaque
and stains from the coronal surfaces of the teeth. Most common
Polishing cups - Correct answer-Soft, webbed polishing cups are used to clean and
polish the smooth surfaces of the teeth.
Bristle Brushes - Correct answer-made from either natural or synthetic materials,
may be used to remove stains from deep pits and fissures of the enamel surfaces
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, Grasping the handpiece - Correct answer-Pen grasp
fulcrum - Correct answer-provides stability for the operator and must be placed in
such a way to allow movement of the wrist and forearm.
Abrasives (cleaning and polishing agents) - Correct answer-extra coarse, coarse,
medium, fine, extra fine
the coarser the agent, the greater is the abrasion to the surface
What prophy paste is not recommended for esthetic restorations? - Correct answer-
regular prophy paste
Low-abrasive pastes such as micron-fine sapphire or diamond paste or aluminum
oxide paste should be used for restorations.
Factors that influence the rate of abrasion - Correct answer-The more agent used,
the greater the degree of abrasion.
The lighter the pressure, the less abrasion.
The slower the rotation of the cup, the less abrasion.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
and Answers
Clinical Crown - Correct answer-That portion of the tooth that is visible in the oral
cavity
Oral prophylaxis - Correct answer-The complete removal of calculus, debris, stain,
and plaque from the teeth.
DH and DDS allowed
Selective Polishing - Correct answer-a procedure in which only those teeth or
surfaces with stain are polished
Purpose is to avoid unnecessary removal of even small amounts of surface enamel
Indications for Coronal Polishing - Correct answer-- Before placement of dental
sealants - Before placement of dental dam - Before cementation of orthodontic
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,bands - before cementation of crowns and bridges - before application of acid
etching solution (if indicated by manufacturer)
Contraindications for Coronal Polishing - Correct answer-- when no stains are
present - patients who are high risk for dental caries (ex: bottle caries, root caries,
thin demineralization enamel) - sensitive teeth - newly erupted teeth B/C
mineralization of tooth surface maybe incomplete
Endogenous stains - Correct answer-Stains developed from within the structure of
the tooth
Example: Excessive amount of fluoride during tooth formation, medications taken
by the mother or the child during tooth development (Tetracycline)
CANNOT be removed by polishing
Exogenous Stain - Correct answer-originates from sources outside the tooth and
are caused by environmental agents.
Extrinsic Stain - Correct answer-appear on the exterior of the tooth, and CAN be
removed by polishing
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,Examples: Food, Drink, Tobacco
Intrinsic Stain - Correct answer-Caused by environmental agents but CANNOT be
removed because the stain has become incorporated into the structure of the tooth.
Examples: Amalgam tattoo, smoking, chewing, or dipping
Extrinsic Stain Examples - Correct answer-black stain, brown stain, yellow stain,
tobacco stain, green stain, dental plaque agents, food and drink, Nasmyth's
membrane
Intrinsic Stain Examples - Correct answer-Pulpless teeth, Tetracycline antibiotics,
dental fluorosis, imperfect tooth development, silver amalgam
Two methods of stain removal - Correct answer-Air-powder polishing and rubber
cup polishing
Rubber cup polishing - Correct answer-A technique that is used to remove plaque
and stains from the coronal surfaces of the teeth. Most common
Polishing cups - Correct answer-Soft, webbed polishing cups are used to clean and
polish the smooth surfaces of the teeth.
Bristle Brushes - Correct answer-made from either natural or synthetic materials,
may be used to remove stains from deep pits and fissures of the enamel surfaces
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, Grasping the handpiece - Correct answer-Pen grasp
fulcrum - Correct answer-provides stability for the operator and must be placed in
such a way to allow movement of the wrist and forearm.
Abrasives (cleaning and polishing agents) - Correct answer-extra coarse, coarse,
medium, fine, extra fine
the coarser the agent, the greater is the abrasion to the surface
What prophy paste is not recommended for esthetic restorations? - Correct answer-
regular prophy paste
Low-abrasive pastes such as micron-fine sapphire or diamond paste or aluminum
oxide paste should be used for restorations.
Factors that influence the rate of abrasion - Correct answer-The more agent used,
the greater the degree of abrasion.
The lighter the pressure, the less abrasion.
The slower the rotation of the cup, the less abrasion.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
