Chapter 01: Introduction to Dental Assisting
Robinson & Bird: Essentials of Dental Assisting, 6th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which is a member of the dental healthcare team?
a. The dental assistant
b. The dentist
c. The dental supply person
d. Both the dental assistant and the dentist
ANS: D
Both the dental assistant and dentist are members of the dental healthcare team. The dental
supply person provides an important support service but is not a member of the dental
healthcare team.
DIF: Recall REF: p. 4 OBJ: 3
MSC: CDA Exam: GC.VII.D.2.d.legal responsibilities of the dental assistant in relation to the state
dental practice act
2. The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes how many dental specialties?
a. Five
b. Seven
c. Nine
d. Eleven
ANS: C
The ADA currently recognizes nine dental specialties, as opposed to five, seven, or eleven.
DIF: Recall REF: p. 5 OBJ: 3 MSC: CDA Exam: NA
3. Which dental team member is legally responsible for the care of the patient?
a. Dentist
b. Dental hygienist
c. Dental assistant
d. Dental laboratory technician
ANS: A
The dentist is licensed to assess the oral health needs of the patient and is legally responsible
for the patient’s care. A registered dental hygienist or assistant may only perform duties as
delegated by the dentist under the state practice act. The dental laboratory technician does not
work directly with patients and is not legally responsible for their care.
DIF: Recall REF: p. 4 OBJ: 1
MSC: CDA Exam: GC.VII.D.2.g.responsibilities and/or obligations of the dentist and patients in the
dentist-patient relationship
4. Which is required before a dental laboratory technician can make an appliance?
a. A prescription from the dentist
b. A model of the case
c. Radiographs
, d. A phone call or fax from the dental office
ANS: A
A dental laboratory technician must have a written prescription from the dentist before
making any type of dental appliance. While radiographs are not usually part of a dental
laboratory case, a model may be required, but it cannot be used until the prescription is
received. A dentist may place a phone call or send a fax to discuss a case, but neither can
substitute for a written prescription.
DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 8 OBJ: 3
MSC: CDA Exam: GC.IV.B.demonstrate an understanding of laboratory procedures
5. The minimal amount of advanced training required beyond dental school to specialize is:
a. 1 year
b. 2 years
c. 4 years
d. 6 years
ANS: B
An additional 2 years of advanced training is the minimal requirement to specialize in
dentistry. Specialty training ranges from 2 to 6 years beyond dental school; 1 year is
insufficient for any dental specialty, and although some specialties require 4 to 6 years, a
dentist may specialize in some areas of dentistry with only 2 years of advanced training and
education.
DIF: Recall REF: p. 4 OBJ: 3 MSC: CDA Exam: NA
6. Which is used to trim models?
a. Vacuum former
b. Laboratory work pan
c. Dental lathe
d. None of the above
ANS: D
A model trimmer is used to trim study models and diagnostic casts, whereas a vacuum former
is used to create custom trays, a laboratory work pan stores parts of individual cases, and a
lathe is used to grind or polish precious metals and acrylic dentures.
DIF: Recall REF: p. 9 OBJ: 3
MSC: CDA Exam: GC.IV.B.3.fabricate diagnostic casts (e.g., trimming and finishing)
7. Which specialist diagnoses and treats the oral tissues that support and surround the teeth?
a. Orthodontist
b. Endodontist
c. Periodontist
d. Oral pathologist
ANS: C
A periodontist specializes in the treatment of oral tissues that support and surround the teeth,
whereas an orthodontist prevents and corrects dental malocclusion and misalignment, an
endodontist treats injuries of the pulp, and an oral pathologist performs biopsies to determine
the nature of an oral disease.
Robinson & Bird: Essentials of Dental Assisting, 6th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which is a member of the dental healthcare team?
a. The dental assistant
b. The dentist
c. The dental supply person
d. Both the dental assistant and the dentist
ANS: D
Both the dental assistant and dentist are members of the dental healthcare team. The dental
supply person provides an important support service but is not a member of the dental
healthcare team.
DIF: Recall REF: p. 4 OBJ: 3
MSC: CDA Exam: GC.VII.D.2.d.legal responsibilities of the dental assistant in relation to the state
dental practice act
2. The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes how many dental specialties?
a. Five
b. Seven
c. Nine
d. Eleven
ANS: C
The ADA currently recognizes nine dental specialties, as opposed to five, seven, or eleven.
DIF: Recall REF: p. 5 OBJ: 3 MSC: CDA Exam: NA
3. Which dental team member is legally responsible for the care of the patient?
a. Dentist
b. Dental hygienist
c. Dental assistant
d. Dental laboratory technician
ANS: A
The dentist is licensed to assess the oral health needs of the patient and is legally responsible
for the patient’s care. A registered dental hygienist or assistant may only perform duties as
delegated by the dentist under the state practice act. The dental laboratory technician does not
work directly with patients and is not legally responsible for their care.
DIF: Recall REF: p. 4 OBJ: 1
MSC: CDA Exam: GC.VII.D.2.g.responsibilities and/or obligations of the dentist and patients in the
dentist-patient relationship
4. Which is required before a dental laboratory technician can make an appliance?
a. A prescription from the dentist
b. A model of the case
c. Radiographs
, d. A phone call or fax from the dental office
ANS: A
A dental laboratory technician must have a written prescription from the dentist before
making any type of dental appliance. While radiographs are not usually part of a dental
laboratory case, a model may be required, but it cannot be used until the prescription is
received. A dentist may place a phone call or send a fax to discuss a case, but neither can
substitute for a written prescription.
DIF: Comprehension REF: p. 8 OBJ: 3
MSC: CDA Exam: GC.IV.B.demonstrate an understanding of laboratory procedures
5. The minimal amount of advanced training required beyond dental school to specialize is:
a. 1 year
b. 2 years
c. 4 years
d. 6 years
ANS: B
An additional 2 years of advanced training is the minimal requirement to specialize in
dentistry. Specialty training ranges from 2 to 6 years beyond dental school; 1 year is
insufficient for any dental specialty, and although some specialties require 4 to 6 years, a
dentist may specialize in some areas of dentistry with only 2 years of advanced training and
education.
DIF: Recall REF: p. 4 OBJ: 3 MSC: CDA Exam: NA
6. Which is used to trim models?
a. Vacuum former
b. Laboratory work pan
c. Dental lathe
d. None of the above
ANS: D
A model trimmer is used to trim study models and diagnostic casts, whereas a vacuum former
is used to create custom trays, a laboratory work pan stores parts of individual cases, and a
lathe is used to grind or polish precious metals and acrylic dentures.
DIF: Recall REF: p. 9 OBJ: 3
MSC: CDA Exam: GC.IV.B.3.fabricate diagnostic casts (e.g., trimming and finishing)
7. Which specialist diagnoses and treats the oral tissues that support and surround the teeth?
a. Orthodontist
b. Endodontist
c. Periodontist
d. Oral pathologist
ANS: C
A periodontist specializes in the treatment of oral tissues that support and surround the teeth,
whereas an orthodontist prevents and corrects dental malocclusion and misalignment, an
endodontist treats injuries of the pulp, and an oral pathologist performs biopsies to determine
the nature of an oral disease.
