AAPD Oral Board Exam Questions With Complete Solutions

AAPD Oral Board Exam Questions With
Complete Solutions
 Course
 AAPD
Q1. Pulp Therapy
A 6-year-old presents with a deep carious lesion on a primary mandibular molar. The tooth is
vital, with no swelling or mobility. Radiograph shows no furcation involvement. Best treatment?
 A. Pulpectomy
 B. Pulpotomy with medicament (e.g., MTA)
 C. Direct pulp cap
 D. Extraction
Answer: B
Rationale: Deep caries with vital pulp → pulpotomy is standard. Pulpectomy is for non-vital;
direct cap not recommended for primary teeth; extraction not indicated here.


Q2. Space Management
A 7-year-old loses a mandibular first primary molar prematurely. What is the best space
maintenance?
 A. No treatment
 B. Distal shoe appliance
 C. Band and loop
 D. Nance appliance
Answer: C
Rationale: A band-and-loop is appropriate for unilateral loss of a single primary molar when
permanent successor eruption is delayed.


Q3. Trauma
An 8-year-old presents with an avulsed permanent maxillary central incisor, stored dry for 90
minutes. Next step?
 A. Reimplant immediately and splint
 B. Discard tooth and plan for prosthesis

,  C. Reimplant after soaking in saline for 5 minutes
 D. Reimplant after soaking in doxycycline
Answer: D
Rationale: Extraoral dry time >60 min = poor PDL viability. Reimplant after soaking in
doxycycline (or fluoride solution) to improve prognosis.


Q4. Behavior Guidance
A 5-year-old is uncooperative during restorative care. The dentist considers protective
stabilization. What is the FIRST step?
 A. Apply stabilization device
 B. Obtain informed consent from parent
 C. Call for staff assistance
 D. Terminate treatment
Answer: B
Rationale: Informed consent is required before protective stabilization.


Q5. Pharmacology
A 20-kg child requires 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epi. What is the maximum safe dose (mg) of
lidocaine (AAPD guideline: 4.4 mg/kg)?
 A. 44 mg
 B. 60 mg
 C. 88 mg
 D. 100 mg
Answer: C (88 mg)
Rationale: 20 kg × 4.4 mg/kg = 88 mg max safe dose. Each carpule of 2% lidocaine = 36 mg. →
Max = ~2.4 carpules.


Q6. Special Needs
A child with congenital heart disease requires extraction. What should the dentist consider?

,  A. Always provide antibiotic prophylaxis
 B. Never provide antibiotic prophylaxis
 C. Provide prophylaxis only if high-risk condition (per AHA guidelines)
 D. Delay care until adulthood
Answer: C
Rationale: Only certain cardiac conditions require prophylaxis (e.g., prosthetic valves, previous
IE). AAPD follows AHA guidelines.


Q7. Radiology
A 10-year-old presents with unerupted permanent maxillary canines. Panoramic radiograph
shows the canine overlapping lateral incisor root. Next management step?
 A. Monitor until age 14
 B. Refer for extraction of primary canine
 C. Extract lateral incisor
 D. Begin orthodontic traction immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: Extraction of primary canine at ~10–11 years increases spontaneous eruption of
ectopic canines.


Q8. Restorative
A 4-year-old with ECC has multiple carious primary molars. Oral hygiene is poor, and
cooperation is limited. Best restorative approach?
 A. Amalgam restorations
 B. Composite resin
 C. Stainless steel crowns
 D. Glass ionomer only
Answer: C
Rationale: SSCs are durable and ideal for multisurface caries in high-risk/uncooperative
patients.