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.

DIF:	Recall	REF:	p. 5	OBJ:	3	MSC:	CDA Exam: NA

	8.	The physicist who discovered x-rays in 1895 was:
a.	Ida Gray-Rollins	
b.	Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen	
c.	C. Edmund Kells	
d.	Jessica A. Rickert	

ANS:	B
Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, a Bavarian physicist, discovered x-ray beams in 1895. Ida Gray-Rollins was the first African American woman to earn a dental degree in the United States. C. Edmund Kells is recognized as the first dentist to hire an assistant. Jessica A. Rickert was the first female Native American dentist.

DIF:	Recall	REF:	p. 2	OBJ:	2	MSC:	CDA Exam: NA

	9.	The first Native American dentist in the United States was:
a.	Ida Gray-Rollins	
b.	Robert Tanner Freeman	
c.	George Blue Spruce, Jr.	
d.	Jessica A. Rickert	

ANS:	C
George Blue Spruce, Jr., was the first Native American dentist in the United States. Ida Gay-Rollins was the first female African American to earn a dental degree, although Robert Tanner Freeman was the first African American accepted to any dental school. Jessica A. Rickert was the first female Native American dentist in the United States.

DIF:	Recall	REF:	p. 3	OBJ:	2	MSC:	CDA Exam: NA

	10.	Which person is recognized as the first African American to receive a degree from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine?
a.	Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen	
b.	Robert Tanner Freeman	
c.	George Blue Spruce, Jr.	
d.	C. Edmund Kells	

ANS:	B
Robert Tanner Freeman was the first African American to receive a degree from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen was Bavarian, not African American, and is credited with discovering x-ray beams. George Blue Spruce, Jr., was the first Native American, not African American, to receive a dental degree; he graduated from Creighton, not Harvard, University. C. Edmund Kells is credited with employing the first dental assistant in 1900.

DIF:	Recall	REF:	p. 2	OBJ:	2	MSC:	CDA Exam: NA

	11.	Which modern dental restoration resembles early Mayan and Inca dentistry?
a.	Implant	
b.	Inlay	
c.	Veneer	
d.	Bridge	

ANS:	B
Early Mayan and Inca civilizations used jade, turquoise, and gold as dental inlays, similar to the gold inlay restorations fabricated in dentistry today. Implants, veneers, and bridges are evolutions of modern dentistry.

DIF:	Recall	REF:	p. 2	OBJ:	2	MSC:	CDA Exam: NA

	12.	Which best describes the purpose of CODA (Commission on Dental Accreditation)?
a.	Reviews and approves dental-related curriculums and educational programs.	
b.	Provides professional support and opportunities for dental hygienists.	
c.	Promotes the dental assisting profession to enhance quality dental health care.	
d.	Grants professional membership to dental technicians.	

ANS:	A
CODA, the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, reviews and approves dental university curriculum and dental-related educational programs; dentists, dental hygienists, and certified dental technicians in the United States must graduate from a CODA-approved program. The American Dental Hygienists Association (ADHA) provides professional support and opportunities for dental hygienists, while the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) promotes the dental assisting profession to enhance quality dental health care. ADLTA (American Dental Laboratory Technician Association) grants professional membership to dental technicians.

DIF:	Comprehension		REF:	p. 4	OBJ:	1
MSC:	CDA Exam: GC.VII.D.2.d.legal responsibilities of the dental assistant in relation to the state dental practice act

	13.	The tasks and responsibilities delegated to a dental assistant are determined by the:
a.	supervising dentist	
b.	state dental practice act	
c.	American Dental Association	
d.	Occupational Safety and Health Administration	

ANS:	B
The dental practice act in each state sets forth specific statutes, regulations, and administrative rules to govern which tasks and responsibilities can be delegated to the dental assistant. The supervising dentist must be aware of, and comply with, all state dental practice act regulations before assigning any task to members of the dental healthcare team. The tasks and responsibilities delegated to a dental assistant are determined by the state dental practice act, not the American Dental Association or Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

DIF:	Recall	REF:	p. 6	OBJ:	3	
MSC:	CDA Exam: GC.VII.D.2.d.legal responsibilities of the dental assistant in relation to the state dental practice act

	14.	Which statement is true?
a.	All states require formal education for dental assistants.	
b.	Accredited dental assisting programs do not usually provide laboratory training.	
c.	Assistants with additional training may perform expanded duties nationwide.	
d.	CODA (Commission on Dental Accreditation)-approved dental assisting programs are 1 academic year in length.	

ANS:	D
Dental assisting programs approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) are approximately 1 academic year in length. Not all states require formal education for dental assistants, but accredited dental assisting programs are required to include didactic, laboratory, and clinical coursework. Assistants with additional training may perform expanded duties, but only within the specific state where the training was completed.

DIF:	Recall	REF:	p. 7	OBJ:	3	
MSC:	CDA Exam: GC.VII.D.2.d.legal responsibilities of the dental assistant in relation to the state dental practice act

	15.	Which dental assistant works primarily in the instrument-processing area?
a.	Business	
b.	Chairside	
c.	Circulating	
d.	Sterilization	

ANS:	D
The sterilization assistant works primarily in the instrument-processing area. The business assistant focuses on tasks in the business office, while the chairside assistant works mainly in the dental operatory. The circulating assistant works anywhere assistance is required, but primarily in the clinical areas of the practice.

DIF:	Comprehension		REF:	p. 7	OBJ:	3
MSC:	CDA Exam: NA	

	16.	The business office of a dental practice serves each purpose EXCEPT one. Which is the EXCEPTION?
a.	Record storage	
b.	Financial arrangements	
c.	Receive and greet patients	
d.	Appointment scheduling	

ANS:	C
The reception area, not the business office, is a dedicated space to receive and greet patients; the business office is used to schedule appointments, make financial arrangements, and store records.

DIF:	Recall	REF:	p. 9	OBJ:	3	
MSC:	CDA Exam: GC.VII.C.7.receive and dismiss patients and visitors	

	17.	Which area of the dental office is used for staff meetings?
a.	Lounge	
b.	Laboratory	
c.	Business office	
d.	Consultation room	

ANS:	A
The staff lounge is an ideal location for office meetings; the business office, dental laboratory, and consultation areas are not used for this purpose.

DIF:	Recall	REF:	p. 9	OBJ:	3	MSC:	CDA Exam: NA

	18.	Which member of the dental healthcare team does NOT usually work in the dental office?
a.	Dental hygienist	
b.	Circulating assistant	
c.	Laboratory technician	
d.	Administrative assistant	

ANS:	C
Most dental laboratory technicians do not work in the dental office with other members of the dental healthcare team, but rather in private laboratories—separate from the dental practice. Most hygienists and nearly all dental assistants (circulating, administrative, and otherwise) work with the dentist in the dental office.

DIF:	Recall	REF:	p. 8	OBJ:	3	MSC:	CDA Exam: NA

COMPLETION

	1.	The most important person in the dental office is the _______.

ANS:	patient

DIF:	Recall	REF:	p. 4	OBJ:	3	MSC:	CDA Exam: NA

	2.	The registered dental ____________ is responsible for removing hard deposits from tooth surfaces.

ANS:	hygienist

DIF:	Recall	REF:	p. 6	OBJ:	1	MSC:	CDA Exam: NA

	3.	The team member who serves as an extra pair of hands to provide six-handed dentistry is the ________.

ANS:	circulating assistant

DIF:	Recall	REF:	p. 7	OBJ:	3	MSC:	CDA Exam: NA

	4.	The team member primarily responsible for the smooth and efficient operation of the business office is the ______.

ANS:	business assistant

DIF:	Recall	REF:	p. 7	OBJ:	3	MSC:	CDA Exam: NA

	5.	The ________ is ultimately responsible for patient care.

ANS:	dentist

DIF:	Recall	REF:	p. 5	OBJ:	3	
MSC:	CDA Exam: GC.VII.D.g.responsibilities and/or obligations of the dentist and patients in the dentist-patient relationship	

	6.	Treatment plans are usually discussed in the ____________ room.

ANS:	consultation

DIF:	Recall	REF:	p. 9	OBJ:	3	MSC:	CDA Exam: NA

	7.	If a consultation room is not available, the dentist’s _______ should be used for discussing treatment plans.

ANS:	private office

DIF:	Recall	REF:	p. 9	OBJ:	3	MSC:	CDA Exam: NA

	8.	Contaminated instruments are cleaned and packaged in the __________.

ANS:	instrument-processing area

DIF:	Recall	REF:	p. 9	OBJ:	3	
MSC:	CDA Exam: ICE.II.C.1 Describe how to prepare dental instruments for sterilization

	9.	Patients are greeted in the _____.

ANS:	reception area

DIF:	Recall	REF:	p. 9	OBJ:	3	MSC:	CDA Exam: NA

	10.	Financial arrangements with the patient should be made in the ______.

ANS:	business office

DIF:	Recall	REF:	p. 9	OBJ:	3	
MSC:	CDA Exam: GC.VII.C.4.explain fees charged to a patient as directed by the dentist

	11.	The proper name for a treatment room is the _______.

ANS:	operatory

DIF:	Recall	REF:	p. 10	OBJ:	3	MSC:	CDA Exam: NA

MATCHING

Match each specialty of dentistry with its focus.
a.	Oral pathology	
b.	Prosthodontics	
c.	Endodontics	
d.	Public health dentistry	
e.	Orthodontics	
f.	Pediatric dentistry	
g.	Oral and maxillofacial surgery	
h.	Oral and maxillofacial radiology	

	1.	The dental specialty in which the “patient” is the entire community

	2.	The specialty that involves the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and injuries of the pulp and associated structures

	3.	The specialty that uses imaging techniques to make a diagnosis of tumors and temporomandibular joint disorders

	4.	The specialty involved in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases, injuries, and defects of the oral and maxillofacial regions

	5.	The specialty involved in the nature of diseases affecting the oral cavity and adjacent structures

	6.	The specialty involved in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of malocclusions of the teeth and associated structures

	7.	The specialty involved in the restoration and replacement of natural teeth with artificial constructs, such as crowns, bridges, and dentures

	8.	The specialty involved in the oral health care of children from birth to adolescence

	1.	ANS:	D	DIF:	Comprehension		REF:	p. 5
OBJ:	3	MSC:	CDA Exam: NA	

	2.	ANS:	C	DIF:	Comprehension		REF:	p. 5
OBJ:	3	MSC:	CDA Exam: NA	

	3.	ANS:	H	DIF:	Comprehension		REF:	p. 5
OBJ:	3	MSC:	CDA Exam: NA	

	4.	ANS:	G	DIF:	Comprehension		REF:	p. 5
OBJ:	3	MSC:	CDA Exam: NA	

	5.	ANS:	A	DIF:	Comprehension		REF:	p. 5
OBJ:	3	MSC:	CDA Exam: NA	

	6.	ANS:	E	DIF:	Comprehension		REF:	p. 5
OBJ:	3	MSC:	CDA Exam: NA	

	7.	ANS:	B	DIF:	Comprehension		REF:	p. 5
OBJ:	3	MSC:	CDA Exam: NA	

	8.	ANS:	F	DIF:	Comprehension		REF:	p. 5
OBJ:	3	MSC:	CDA Exam: NA	

TRUE/FALSE

	1.	The minimum education required for a dental hygienist is 2 academic years of college.

ANS:	T
The ADA requires a minimum of 2 academic years of college, although there are some 4-year dental hygiene programs in the United States.

DIF:	Recall	REF:	p. 6	OBJ:	3	MSC:	CDA Exam: NA

	2.	General dentists do not have adequate training to perform maxillofacial surgery.

ANS:	F
General dentists are trained and legally permitted to perform all dental functions, including maxillofacial surgery, although many dentists prefer to refer complicated cases to an oral or maxillofacial surgeon.

DIF:	Recall	REF:	p. 4	OBJ:	3	MSC:	CDA Exam: NA