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.
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.
