Advanced Dental Admission Test

(ADAT) Practice Test

211 East Chicago Avenue

Chicago, Illinois 60611-2637
800.232.1694
©2016 American Dental Association. All rights reserved. [Link]
Important notice and disclaimer concerning these practice items
The following items are offered to help candidates understand the types of questions that will be asked on
the Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT). It should be noted that practice test questions are not
subjected to the same intense scrutiny, and do not undergo the same level of review as items appearing on
the actual examination. When developing examination content, the best questions are always reserved for
placement on the actual examination itself (as opposed to placement on distributed lists of practice
questions). The ADA recommends that you use textbooks and lecture notes as primary sources for study.
These items are provided to familiarize you with ADAT examination item formats. These items may not be
used for commercial purposes.

The ADA communicates and emphasizes the following cautions to candidates and others. All practice
items are the copyrighted property of the American Dental Association. These practice items are intended
for the use of educators and students within the educational environment or for individual study and may
not be reproduced in any format, whether paper or electronic, without expressed written permission of the
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programs for reproduction and use of these materials within the educational environment in either print or
electronic format. Dental education programs interested in reproducing practice test questions should email
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copies that will be made.

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #1

Patient
|PB0END| |PB1|

Male, 45 years old

Chief Complaint
|PB1END| |PB2|

"My teeth wiggle and feel loose."

Background and/or Patient History
|PB2END| |PB3|

Recently lost his job and has been drinking heavily for the last three months
Currently homeless
Current Findings
|PB3END| |PB4|

Loose teeth
Prolonged gingival bleeding
|PB4END| \

Based on the patient's history and prolonged gingival bleeding, the function of which organ is compromised?

A: Kidney

B: Liver

C: Pancreas

D: Spleen

Item #2

Surgical procedures involving the parotid gland pose the greatest risk of damage to the

A: facial artery.

B: facial vein.

C: internal carotid artery.

D: retromandibular vein.

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #3

Which stratum layer of the epidermis contains stem cells undergoing mitosis?

A: Basale

B: Corneum

C: Granulosum

D: Lucidum

E: Spinosum

Item #4

What inflammatory cell would predominate in chronic sialadenitis if a biopsy is performed?

A: Eosinophils

B: Lymphocytes

C: Macrophages

D: Neutrophils

Item #5

Which type of bone cells secrete collagenase?

A: Osteoblasts

B: Osteochondral progenitor cells

C: Osteoclasts

D: Osteocytes

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #6

Which chemical or compound is most toxic to hepatocytes?

A: Chloroform

B: Chromium

C: Mercury

D: Salicylic acid

Item #7

Which form of glucose is responsible for the glycation of proteins?

A: Alpha-anomer

B: Beta-anomer

C: Linear unbranched

D: Phosphorylated

Item #8

Circular folds, intestinal villi, and brush border contribute to the digestion and absorption process in the small
intestine by

A: maximizing the surface area.

B: neutralizing acids from the stomach.

C: protecting the mucosal barrier from proteolytic enzymes.

D: regulating the flow of bile.

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #9

Patient
|PB0END| |PB1|

Male, 20 years old

Chief Complaint
|PB1END| |PB2|

"My gums bleed every time I brush my teeth."

Background and/or Patient History
|PB2END| |PB3|

Uncontrolled type 1 diabetes

Recent hospitalization after automobile accident
Current Findings
|PB3END| |PB4|

Aggressive periodontitis
Elevated HbA1c
Radiographic evidence of alveolar bone loss
|PB4END|

How might the stress of the automobile accident have impacted glucose control?

A: Decreased glucose control due to cortisol release

B: Decreased glucose control due to glucagon release

C: Increased glucose control due to epinephrine release

D: Increased glucose control due to norepinephrine release

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #10

Patient
|PB0END| |PB1|

Male, 20 years old

Chief Complaint
|PB1END| |PB2|

"My gums bleed every time I brush my teeth."

Background and/or Patient History
|PB2END| |PB3|

Uncontrolled type 1 diabetes

Recent hospitalization after automobile accident
Current Findings
|PB3END| |PB4|

Aggressive periodontitis
Elevated HbA1c
Radiographic evidence of alveolar bone loss
|PB4END|

The patient loses consciousness during treatment. A blood glucose test reveals 60 mg/dL. The appropriate
management is

A: intramuscular injection of glucagon.

B: intramuscular injection of insulin.

C: intravenous administration of saline.

D: oral administration of glucose.

Item #11

The urinalysis of a 3-month-old female with signs of neurological defects reveals abnormally high levels of several
tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates such as fumarate, succinate, α-ketoglutarate citrate, and malate. A
deficiency in which enzyme is the most likely cause of the patient’s condition?
A: Catalase

B: Fumarase

C: Hexokinase

D: Sucrase

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #12

Patient
|PB0END| |PB1|

Female, 3 years old

Chief Complaint
|PB1END| |PB2|

"My daughter's teeth are loose and falling out."

Background and/or Patient History
|PB2END| |PB3|

No history of facial injury

Current Findings
|PB3END| |PB4|

Normal root morphology for lost tooth

Anterior teeth mobility
|PB4END|

What is the most likely diagnosis?

A: Amelogenesis imperfecta

B: Dentinogenesis imperfecta

C: Hypophosphatasia

D: Tricho-dento-osseous syndrome

Item #13

The offspring of a genotypically normal mother and a father with an X-linked recessive disease will produce

A: 50% affected sons.

B: 100% affected sons.

C: 100% affected daughters.

D: 100% carrier daughters.

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #14

During the hemostasis coagulation cascade, exposure of which pericytes membrane protein results in the initiation
of the extrinsic pathway?

A: Factor III

B: Factor V

C: Factor VII

D: Factor X

Item #15

Each of the following molecules can be transported through gap junctions in the cell membrane EXCEPT one.
Which is the EXCEPTION?

A: Calcium

B: Cyclic adenosine monophosphate

C: Inositol triphosphate

D: Protein

Item #16

The analgesic effect of nitrous oxide is the result of activation of the

A: alveolar gradient.

B: benzodiazepine binding site.

C: gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors.

D: opioid receptors.

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #17

Which type of neuroglia produces myelin in the central nervous system?

A: Astrocytes

B: Oligodendrocytes

C: Satellite cells

D: Schwann cells

Item #18

Loss of muscle function in the jaw and shoulders is characteristic of

A: Becker muscular dystrophy.

B: facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

C: mitochondrial mutation-related dystrophy.

D: myasthenia gravis.

Item #19

The presence of antibodies that act against acetylcholine receptors is characteristic of

A: mitochondrial mutation-related dystrophy.

B: myastheniagravis.

C: myositis ossificans.

D: myotonia congenita.

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #20

What is a common complication of large acute myocardial infarcts?

A: Aortic valve fragmentation

B: Growth of the aorta

C: Increased longitudinal growth of the skeleton

D: Pump or congestive heart failure

Item #21

Each of the following exacerbates polymerization of hemoglobin in a patient with sickle cell anemia EXCEPT one.
Which is the EXCEPTION?

A: Acidosis

B: High carbon dioxide tension

C: High oxygen tension

D: Intense exercise

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #22

Patient
|PB0END| |PB1|

Female, 27 years old, Caucasian

Chief Complaint
|PB1END| |PB2|

"I have a painful molar, especially with iced tea."

Background and/or Patient History
|PB2END| |PB3|

Asthma
Atopic dermatitis
Current Findings
|PB3END| |PB4|

Severe caries
Pulpal necrosis
|PB4END|

Shortly after receiving local anesthetic, the patient complains of nausea, dyspnea, and tingling around the lips,
which are edematous. Each element of the dental environment may provoke these symptoms EXCEPT one. Which
is the EXCEPTION?

A: Bronchodilation

B: Increase in capillary permeability

C: Release of immunoglobulin E-mediated histamine

D: Type I allergic hypersensitivity reaction

Item #23

What microorganism is known for its propensity for maxillary sinus involvement?

A: Candida albicans

B: Human papilloma virus (HPV)

C: Mucormycosis

D: Paracoccidioidomycosis

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #24

The component of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria that stimulates the host immune response and
causes tissue damage is a/an

A: endotoxin.

B: exotoxin.

C: neurotoxin.

D: superantigen.

Item #25

Which of the following is characteristic of the hydropic degeneration of hepatocytes?

A: Accumulation of large lipid deposits within the cell

B: Fluid and metabolite accumulation within the cell

C: Hyaline droplet accumulation within the cell

D: Water displacement of the endoplasmic reticulum

Item #26

Histological examination of a biopsy from a cyst taken from a lower lip reveals a cystic cavity filled with mucus
and surrounded by a layer of granulation tissue. The most likely cause of this lesion is trauma to the

A: blood vessels in the lamina propria.

B: minor salivary glands.

C: stratified squamous non-keratinized epithelium.

D: sublingual gland.

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #27

Which chemical mediator is the most reliable marker of inflammation?

A: Bradykinin

B: C-reactive protein

C: Glucagon

D: Opsonin

Item #28

What is the underlying mechanism responsible for the development of an indurated area following a tuberculin
injection?

A: Immediate type (type I) reaction

B: Antibody-mediated (type II) hypersensitivity

C: Immune complex-mediated (type III) reaction

D: Cell-mediated (type IV) hypersensitivity

Item #29

Marfan syndrome is caused by a mutation in the gene coding for which protein?

A: Collagen type 1

B: Elastin

C: Fibrillin

D: Fibronectin

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #30

Patient
|PB0END| |PB1|

Female, 46 years old

Chief Complaint
|PB1END| |PB2|

"My jaw hurts, and I have difficulty opening my mouth."

Background and/or Patient History
|PB2END| |PB3|

Sensitive teeth and bleeding gums beginning about 5 years ago

Arthritis
Multiple joint pain
Pulmonary arterial hypertension
Systemic sclerosis, diagnosed approximately 9 years ago

Unable to work
Non-smoker
Current Findings
|PB3END| |PB4|

Heavy plaque accumulation

Multiple caries
Areas of gingival recession
Minimal tooth mobility
Limited mouth opening
Partially erupted, malpositioned third molars
|PB4END|

The patient at highest risk for which syndrome?

A: Behçet

B: Gardner

C: Peutz-Jeghers

D: Secondary Sjögren

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #31

What is a common complication of Crohn's disease?

A: Adenocarcinoma of the small intestine

B: Columnar metaplasia of the esophagus

C: Pseudomembranes covering the ulcerated surface

D: Thickening of the bowel wall due to inflammation

Item #32

Each of the following teeth have a transverse ridge EXCEPT one. Which is the EXCEPTION?

A: Mandibular first premolar

B: Maxillary incisor

C: Maxillary first premolar

D: Maxillary second premolar

Item #33

Which pairs of teeth have their cingula offset to the distal?

A: Maxillary central incisors and mandibular central incisors

B: Maxillary central incisors and mandibular lateral incisors

C: Maxillary lateral incisors and mandibular central incisors

D: Maxillary lateral incisors and maxillary central incisors

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #34

Which is the best anatomical landmark to identify the location of the pulp canal space on tooth 6?

A: Cusp tip

B: Distal concavity

C: Lingual ridge

D: Mesial marginal ridge

Item #35

Patient
|PB0END| |PB1|

Female, 16 years old

Chief Complaint
|PB1END| |PB2|

"I still have a baby tooth, and I see it when I smile."

Background and/or Patient History
|PB2END| |PB3|

Medications:
Oral contraceptive
Current Findings
|PB3END| |PB4|

Retained tooth C
Excellent home care
|PB4END|

The most likely reason for the chief complaint is

A: agenesis of tooth 6.

B: dentigerous cyst.

C: impaction of tooth 6.

D: normal eruption.

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #36

When calcification occurs within the pulpal space due to trauma or irritation, what pattern does it follow?

A: Calcification from the apex to the coronal

B: Calcification from the coronal to the apex

C: Calcification only near the site of irritation

D: Calcification of the lateral canals

Item #37

Tooth 19 usually occludes with which teeth in a Class I occlusion?

A: 12 and 13

B: 13 and 14

C: 14 and 15

D: 15 and 16

Item #38

What is the malocclusion type when the facial cusp of tooth 28 contacts the mesial marginal ridge 4?

A: I

B: II

C: III

D: IV

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #39

An x-ray of the maxillary third molars reveals a small, calcified radiopaque mass distal to the third molar. Which is
the most likely reason for this mass?

A: Compound odontoma

B: Dens in dente

C: Distodens

D: Mesiodens

Item #40

Patient
|PB0END| |PB1|

Male, 18 years old

Chief Complaint
|PB1END| |PB2|

"My jaw makes a clicking noise when I open it."

Background and/or Patient History
|PB2END| |PB3|

Elbowed in jaw during a basketball game

Injury occurred one week ago
Current Findings
|PB3END| |PB4|

Non-painful clicking of right TMJ

No history of prior symptoms
Occlusion appears stable

The patient reports the clicking is gone when seen at a recall appointment two weeks later. What is
the recommended ongoing treatment?

A: Advise gradual return to normal function

B: Fabricate an occlusal splint

C: Prescribe muscle relaxants for 10 days

D: Refer for steroid injections to the joint

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #41

Patient
|PB0END| |PB1|

Male, 12 years old

Chief Complaint
|PB1END| |PB2|

Mother: “My son was injured during a softball game. He was hit in the face by the ball.”
Background and/or Patient History
|PB2END| |PB3|

Facial trauma
No loss of consciousness
Otherwise healthy
Current Findings
|PB3END| |PB4|

Complicated fracture of tooth 8 with fractured piece retrieved

Avulsion of tooth 9, mother has tooth in container with water
Patient presents to office within 25 minutes of traumatic incident
|PB4END|

What is the priority in management of this patient?

A: Assess pulp and place interim restoration of tooth 8

B: Perform pulpotomy, reimplant, and splint tooth 9

C: Re-attach fractured tooth with composite

D: Reimplant and splint tooth 9

Item #42

A composite resin material with a lower viscosity would likely also have a

A: higher hardness.

B: higher polymerization shrinkage.

C: higher modulus of elasticity.

D: lower water sorption.

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #43

The addition of less than 50 atomic percent of copper to gold in the production of a gold casting alloy will achieve
a/an

A: decrease in the melting temperature.

B: decrease in the strength.

C: increase in corrosion resistance.

D: increase in elongation.

Item #44

Patient
|PB0END| |PB1|

Female, 20 years old

Chief Complaint
|PB1END| |PB2|

"My tooth hurts on and off, and the pain wakes me up at night."
Background and/or Patient History
|PB2END| |PB3|

Periodic pain associated with tooth 8 for the last year

Fistula in the buccal maxillary vestibule
Current Findings
|PB3END| |PB4|

Large cervical caries on tooth 8, painful to percussion

Large periapical radiolucency associated with tooth 8 revealed by radiograph
Biopsy revealed epithelium-lined cavity
|PB4END|

What is the most likely diagnosis?

A: Ameloblastoma

B: Periapical cyst

C: Periapical granuloma

D: Periapical scar

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #45

Patient
|PB0END| |PB1|

Female, 85 years old

Chief Complaint
|PB1END| |PB2|

"I don't like the way my dentures look."

Background and/or Patient History
|PB2END| |PB3|

Osteoarthritis
Right hip replacement 10 years ago
Moderate hypertension controlled with a calcium channel blocker
Patient reports well-fitting dentures
Current Findings
|PB3END| |PB4|

Lesion as shown in associated image

Patient unaware lesion bleeds when manipulated, denies pain
Lesion is attached to the palatal tissue through a 10mm pedunculated base
|PB4END|

What is the first step in management of this patient?

A: Perform an excisional biopsy

B: Perform an incisional biopsy

C: Perform a soft acrylic reline of the existing denture

D: Request the patient remove the denture for two weeks and re-evaluate

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #46

Patient
|PB0END| |PB1|

Female, 85 years old

Chief Complaint
|PB1END| |PB2|

"I don't like the way my dentures look."

Background and/or Patient History
|PB2END| |PB3|

Osteoarthritis
Right hip replacement 10 years ago
Moderate hypertension controlled with a calcium channel blocker
Patient reports well-fitting dentures
Current Findings
|PB3END| |PB4|

Lesion as shown in associated image

Patient unaware lesion bleeds when manipulated, denies pain
Lesion is attached to the palatal tissue through a 10mm pedunculated base
|PB4END|

The provisional diagnosis is

A: inflammatory hyperplasia.

B: drug-induced tissue hyperplasia.

C: squamous cell carcinoma.

D: verrucous carcinoma.

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #47

Patient
|PB0END| |PB1|

Female, 85 years old

Chief Complaint
|PB1END| |PB2|

"I don't like the way my dentures look."

Background and/or Patient History
|PB2END| |PB3|

Osteoarthritis
Right hip replacement 10 years ago
Moderate hypertension controlled with a calcium channel blocker
Patient reports well-fitting dentures
Current Findings
|PB3END| |PB4|

Lesion as shown in associated image

Patient unaware lesion bleeds when manipulated, denies pain
Lesion is attached to the palatal tissue through a 10mm pedunculated base
|PB4END|

Following the definitive removal of the lesion, the dentist

A: fabricates a new denture.

B: prescribes a once-monthly antifungal rinse and fabricates a new denture.

C: prescribes topical steroids to prevent recurrence and fabricates a new denture.

D: requests the patient's primary health care provider change the antihypertensive medication, and fabricates a new
denture.

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #48

Patient
|PB0END| |PB1|

Female, 25 years old, Caucasian

Chief Complaint
|PB1END| |PB2|

"I have a sore in my mouth."

Background and/or Patient History
|PB2END| |PB3|

Current Findings
|PB3END| |PB4|

Single, well-documented, circular, 4mm, brown, flat, non-palpable lesion on soft palate
|PB4END|

What is the most likely diagnosis?

A: Hemangioma

B: Melanoma

C: Oral melanotic macule

D: Smoker’s melanosis

Item #49
Patient
|PB0END| |PB1|

Female, 12 years old

Chief Complaint
|PB1END| |PB2|

“I’m not sure why my mom brought me here.”

Background and/or Patient History
|PB2END| |PB3|

Current Findings
|PB3END| |PB4|

Cranial base length two standard deviations shorter than normal

Remaining cephalometric measurements within normal limits
|PB4END|

Which Angle's classification is most likely?

A: Class I

B: Class II Division I

C: Class II Division II

D: Class III

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #50

Symptomatic erosive lichen planus is best treated with

A: acyclovir (Zovirax®) ointment.

B: antibiotics.

C: surgical excision.

D: topical steroids.

Item #51
Patient
|PB0END| |PB1|

Female, 14 years old

Chief Complaint
|PB1END| |PB2|

"I have had pain and swelling one week after having a molar pulled."
|PB2END| Background and/or Patient History
|PB3|

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Current medications:
Methotrexate (Rheumatrex®)
Adalimumab (Humira®)

No known allergies
Current Findings
|PB3END| |PB4|

Indundated swelling of submandibular space on the right side

Oral temp of 100.7° F
BP: 125/83
Heart Rate: 92 BPM
Difficulty swallowing
|PB4END|

The dentist has prescribed hydrocodone/acetaminophen for analgesia, but the patient reports inadequate relief.
Which explanation is most likely?

A: Drug interaction with adalimumab rendering hydrocodone/acetaminophen ineffective

B: Generic polymorphism in drug-metabolizing enzymes

C: Increased renal clearance of hydrocodone/acetaminophen

D: Poor oral bioavailability of hydrocodone

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #52

Patient
|PB0END| |PB1|

Male, 65 years old

Chief Complaint
|PB1END| |PB2|

"I don't feel like my dentures are fitting right."

Background and/or Patient History
|PB2END| |PB3|

Has been wearing dentures for the past year

Current Findings
|PB3END| |PB4|

Recently began taking a daily tricyclic antidepressant medication

|PB4END|

What condition may be contributing to the chief complaint?

A: Muscle trismus

B: Retracted tongue

C: Stomatitis

D: Xerostomia

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #53

Patient
|PB0END| |PB1|

Female, 28 years old

Chief Complaint
|PB1END| |PB2|

"I need an implant to fix my missing upper front tooth."

Background and/or Patient History
|PB2END| |PB3|

Involved in a car accident six months ago

Tooth 8 fractured and was extracted
Current Findings
|PB3END| |PB4|

Complete clinical healing of socket with minimal bone loss

|PB4END|

The ideal distance between the superior surface of the implant and the inferior portion of the gingival emergence
position of the planned restoration is

A: 0.5 to 1.0 mm.

B: 1.5 to 2.0 mm.

C: 2.5 to 3.0 mm.

D: 4.0 to 5.0 mm.

Item #54

Which statement is correct regarding the establishment of the occlusal plane in the fabrication of a complete
denture?

A: The closest speaking space ("S" sound) is used to verify the occlusal plane.

B: The Curve of Spee follows the frontal plane.

C: The mandibular first molar is usually at a level two-thirds of the way up the retromolar pad.

D: The occlusal plane is parallel to the Frankfort horizontal plane.

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #55

For a study to be considered a randomized controlled trial, participants must be

A: blinded to their experimental condition.

B: randomly assigned to experimental conditions.

C: randomly drawn from multiple populations.

D: randomly selected from the population of interest.

Item #56

The goal of a meta-analysis is to

A: replicate the results of a single study.

B: replicate the results of multiple studies.

C: summarize the results of a single study.

D: summarize the results of multiple studies.

Item #57

For a study to be considered a crossover trial,

A: a cohort of participants must be followed from childhood to adulthood.

B: each participant must experience multiple experimental conditions.

C: participants must be blinded to their experimental condition.

D: the study results must generalize to multiple populations.

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #58

Power analyses are used to

A: compare the relative importance of two risk factors.

B: determine the number of participants needed for a study.

C: determine the strength of the treatment effect.

D: establish a causal relationship between a treatment and an outcome.

Item #59

The graph below shows the distribution of diastolic blood pressure in a sample of 400 dental patients.

The first quartile of the distribution is closest to which diastolic blood pressure value?

A: 63

B: 73

C: 83

D: 93

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #60

The graph below shows the distribution of the number of coronal surfaces with active caries in a sample of 300
seniors.

Based on the graph, which statistic will have the highest value?

A: 10th percentile

B: Mean

C: Median

D: Mode

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #61

A new diagnostic saliva test for periodontal disease was evaluated using a sample of 105 patients whose true
condition was known. The results are presented in the table.

What is the sensitivity of this diagnostic test?

A: 4/4

B: 4/5

C: 1/99

D: 99/100

Item #62

A study examined the relationship between smoking and dental implant failure in a sample of 300 patients. Data
from the study are presented in the table.

Dental Implant Failure

Yes No

Smoker 10 90

Non-smoker 10 190

Based on the table, what is the relative risk (RR) of dental implant failure associated with smoking?

A: 1.0

B: 1.5

C: 2.0

D: 2.5

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #63

The results of a hypothesis test indicate that the p-value is greater than the alpha level of 0.05. From this, the reader
can conclude that the result was

A: clinically significant.

B: statistically biased.

C: statistically significant.

D: not statistically significant.

Item #64

A study examined the relationship between smoking and dental implant failure in a sample of 300 patients. Results
were as follows:

Dental Implant Failure

Yes No

Smoker 10 90

Non-smoker 10 190

These results suggest that

A: smokers and non-smokers are equally likely to get dental implants.

B: smokers and non-smokers experience implant failure at the same rate.

C: the majority of smokers in the sample experienced implant failure.

D: there is a relationship between smoking and implant failure.

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #65

A study examined the association between diabetes and periodontal disease. The results indicated that the risk of
periodontal disease was 10% for those with diabetes, and 5% for those without diabetes. What is the absolute risk
increase associated with diabetes?

A: 0.5%

B: 2%

C: 5%

D: 10%

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #66

The plot depicts the relationship between diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg) and mean pocket depth (mm) in a
sample of 400 patients.

Based on the plot, the relationship between diastolic blood pressure and mean pocked depth is

A: linear and gets stronger as diastolic blood pressure increases.

B: linear and gets weaker as diastolic blood pressure increases.

C: nonlinear and gets stronger as diastolic blood pressure increases.

D: nonlinear and gets weaker as diastolic blood pressure increases.

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #67

Statistical hypothesis testing requires each of the following EXCEPT one. Which is the EXCEPTION?

A: Calculation of a p-value

B: Establishment of a causal relationship

C: Establishment of a null hypothesis

D: Establishment of an alpha level

Item #68

A confidence interval for a treatment effect represents a/an

A: interval estimate of the effect in the population.

B: interval estimate of the power of the analysis.

C: point estimate of the effect in the population.

D: point estimate of the power of the analysis.

Item #69

Confidence intervals require each of the following EXCEPT one. Which is the EXCEPTION?

A: Calculation of a margin of error

B: Calculation of a point estimate

C: Determination of a p-value

D: Establishment of a confidence level

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #70

Four studies examined the association between diabetes and dental implant failure. The table below summarizes
the results of a meta-analytic review involving these studies.
Risk Ratio
Study
[95% confidence interval]
1 0.10 [0.01, 1.64]
2 0.57 [0.23, 1.39]
3 1.15 [0.74, 1.79]
4 3.35 [0.70, 15.96]
Overall Estimate 0.90 [0.62, 1.32]

Assuming an alpha level of 0.05, which statement is true?

A: All four studies found a statistically significant association; the overall association is not statistically significant.

B: All four studies found a statistically significant association; the overall association is statistically significant.

C: None of the four studies found a statistically significant association; the overall association is not statistically
significant.

D: None of the four studies found a statistically significant association; the overall association is statistically
significant.

Item #71

A child patient presents with linear wrist burns and bruises on both arms. The child's parent says the child is
clumsy, falls a lot, and bumps into furniture. The dentist suspects abuse. What ethical principle is involved in the
dentist's decision to contact child protective services?

A: Autonomy

B: Beneficence

C: Justice

D: Nonmaleficence

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #72

The dentist extracts the tooth of a patient with hemophilia A without obtaining a medical consultation. The
extraction site immediately starts to bleed profusely and the bleeding cannot be stopped. What ethical principle has
been violated?

A: Autonomy

B: Beneficence

C: Justice

D: Nonmaleficence

Item #73

A patient wants a fractured tooth extracted. The dentist tells the patient that the tooth is restorable. What two
ethical principles are in conflict?

A: Beneficence and autonomy

B: Beneficence and justice

C: Justice and veracity

D: Maleficence and veracity

Item #74

In managing a child patient's dental anxiety, what best exemplifies the behavioral strategy known as modeling?

A: Allow the patient to observe another patient who is coping successfully with the procedure

B: Ask the patient to pretend to be someone else who can cope well with the procedure

C: Demonstrate to the patient what procedures will be carried out on a model

D: Have the patient rehearse appropriate behavior

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #75

Which statement is true regarding programs that intend to improve patient success with preventive oral health
behaviors, such as flossing?

A: They initially succeed, but the success rate usually declines over time.

B: They initially succeed, but will fail if patients are not properly educated.

C: They usually fail because patients are resistant to change.

D: They usually succeed if patients believe in prevention.

Item #76

Patient
|PB0END| |PB1|

Male, 57 years old

Chief Complaint
|PB1END| |PB2|

"I woke up with a very swollen face and a bad toothache."

Background and/or Patient History
|PB2END| |PB3|

Penicillin allergy
Congestive heart failure - well controlled

Medications
Digoxin (Lanoxin®)
Current Findings
|PB3END| |PB4|

Diffuse, non-focal facial swelling of lower right quadrant

Vitality testing shows tooth 30 to be non-vital
Periapical radiograph shows a radiolucent area apical to the mesial roots of tooth 30
Tooth 30 is restorable and periodontally healthy
|PB4END|

If initiation of endodontic therapy on tooth 30 provides no drainage, the dentist should prescribe an antibiotic
regimen of

A: azithromycin (Zithromax®).

B: clindamycin (Cleocin®).

C: erythromycin (EryPed®).

D: tetracycline.

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #77

Metronidazole (Flagyl®) should be avoided in a well-managed patient with bipolar disorder who is taking lithium
because

A: an enhanced hypoglycemic reaction can occur.

B: excess trivalent cationic chelation can occur.

C: lithium toxicity and kidney damage can occur.

D: peptic ulcer and gastro-intestinal inflammation can occur.

Item #78

Patient
|PB0END| |PB1|

Female, 48 years old

Chief Complaint
|PB1END| |PB2|

"I have a broken tooth that hurts."

Background and/or Patient History
|PB2END| |PB3|

History of atrial fibrillation

Current Medications:
Clopidogrel (Plavix®)
Current Findings
|PB3END| |PB4|

Carious non-restorable tooth 4, requires simple extraction

Patient reports pain is 8 on a scale of 1-10
Tooth is grade 2 mobile
|PB4END|

The patient presents with a letter from her physician saying that she should discontinue use of clopidogrel for two
days prior to extraction, but she has not stopped taking this medication. How should the dentist proceed with
treatment?

A: Call the patient's physician to discuss the consultation and current guidelines, and then proceed with the
extraction.

B: Have the patient discontinue clopidogrel and instruct her to return in two days for the extraction.

C: Perform the extraction that day because current guidelines do not suggest discontinuing clopidogrel prior to
extraction.

D: Suggest the patient see another physician for a second opinion.

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #79

Each of the following is a concern related to treatment of a patient with hypothyroidism EXCEPT one. Which is
the EXCEPTION?

A: Risk of bleeding

B: Risk of thyroid storm

C: Susceptibility to cardiovascular disease

D: Susceptibility to infection

Item #80

What index should be used for children only?

A: CPITN

B: df

C: OHI-S

D: PI

Item #81

What precautions should the dentist take prior to extracting a tooth from a patient who is HIV-positive and has
hepatitis C?

A: Double glove and double mask

B: Implement special isolation precautions

C: Refer patient to an oral surgeon

D: Treat patient following universal precautions

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #82

Standard or universal precautions apply to infection control measures in the treatment of

A: active rhinitis in a young patient.

B: all patients in the dental office.

C: HIV-positive patients with a normal CD4 count.

D: patients with a history of intravenous drug abuse.

Item #83

What should the dentist do first if skin is exposed to a hazardous material?

A: Blot the area carefully with clean gauze

B: Flush the area with cold water for five minutes

C: Flush the area with hydrogen peroxide for five minutes

D: Remove clothing and jewelry from the affected area

Item #84

As the capacity of a hazardous waste container approaches the fill line, it should be

A: emptied immediately, sterilized, and reused.

B: immediately exchanged, properly labeled, dated, and replaced.

C: monitored twice daily to assess when sterilization is needed.

D: monitored until full, properly labeled, dated, and replaced.

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #85

Patient
|PB0END| |PB1|

Female, 43 years old

Chief Complaint
|PB1END| |PB2|

"I'm here for a check-up."

Background and/or Patient History
|PB2END| |PB3|

Smoker: 5 cigarettes per day for 15 years

Current Findings
|PB3END| |PB4|

Clinical exam reveals negative oral cancer screening, generalized bone loss and probing depths to 6 mm that
require scaling and root planing.
|PB4END|

The patient refuses scaling and root planing because her insurance will not cover it. She says, "I'm not interested in
that gum work, and it's too expensive." She agrees to return in six months for an examination and prophylaxis with
the hygienist. How should the dentist proceed with treatment?

A: Continue to see the patient, provide three-month examinations and prophylaxes, but do not probe at every visit.

B: Continue to see the patient, provide six-month examinations and prophylaxes, and continue to probe at every
visit.

C: Refer the patient to a more cost-effective treatment facility.

D: Refuse to treat the patient because she would be wasting her money on inadequate treatment.

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

 CASE 1
Items 86-91

Patient
Female, 69 years old
Chief Complaint
"My upper left eye tooth crown keeps falling out. I don't like wearing my upper partial denture."
Background and/or Patient History
High cholesterol
Left hip pain from arthritis

Current medications:
Pravastatin (Pravachol®) 40mg once daily
Naproxen (Naprosyn®) 500mg twice daily as needed for pain

Last dental appointment was one year ago

Fixed restorations were done in United States
Maxillary removable partial denture was fabricated in Guatemala 5 years ago

No known drug allergies

Current Findings
BP: 170/81
Pulse: 75 BPM
| PB4EN D|

Radiographs

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Photographs

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #86
Tooth 10 is asymptomatic and does not respond to pulp testing. What are the pulpal and periapical diagnoses?

A: Asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis with chronic apical periodontitis

B: Irreversible pulpitis with apical abscess

C: Necrotic pulp with apical abscess

D: Necrotic pulp with chronic apical periodontitis

Item #87

The carious lesion on tooth 3 approximates the pulp. The tooth responds normally to pulpal testing. What is the
pulpal diagnosis?

A: Asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis

B: Dentin hypersensitivity

C: Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis

D: Symptomatic reversible pulpitis

Item #88

The patient desires a tooth-colored restoration for tooth 3. What is the best method to restore this tooth?

A: Closed sandwich technique with composite on the gingival floor

B: Closed sandwich technique with glass ionomer on the gingival floor

C: Open sandwich technique with composite on the gingival floor

D: Open sandwich technique with glass ionomer on the gingival floor

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #89

Clinical examination reveals mandibular incisal dentinal cupping. What is the likely cause of this finding?

A: Abfraction

B: Dietary acidic erosion

C: Enamel hypoplasia

D: Gastroesophageal reflux

Item #90

During examination, the patient complains of muscle pain, tenderness, and weakness. What is the most appropriate
response?

A: Explain to the patient that she may be allergic to naproxen.

B: Increase the dose of naproxen.

C: Refer the patient to her primary care physician for suspected myopathy.

D: Switch the patient's pain medication to ibuprofen.

Item #91

After extraction of tooth 11, the Kennedy classification is

A: Class I modification I.

B: Class II.

C: Class II modification I.

D: Class III modification I.

End Case 1

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

 CASE 2

Items 92-101

Patient
Male, 33 years old
Chief Complaint
"I want an implant to replace the lower left molar that was extracted last year."
Background and/or Patient History
No significant findings in medical history

Lost tooth 19 due to vertical fracture on the distal root following endodontic procedure one year ago

No known drug allergies

Very physically active

Works for a tech company
Lives with wife and infant daughter
Current Findings
BP: 145/60
Pulse: 75 BPM

Painful response to palpation of gingival tissue in area of tooth 19

| PB4EN D|

Radiographs

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Photographs

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #92

The patient reports an intense, unilateral, "electric" pain in his lower lip when shaving. The most likely diagnosis is

A: glossopharyngeal neuralgia.

B: migrainous neuralgia.

C: myofacial pain.

D: trigeminal neuralgia.

Item #93

What is the minimum distance required between the apex of the implant and the inferior alveolar canal when
placing an implant at site 19?

A: 1 mm

B: 2 mm

C: 4 mm

D: 6 mm

Item #94

The patient was referred to a pain specialist. What medication was likely to have been prescribed for the patient's
pain?

A: Carbamazepine (Tegretol®)

B: Diazepam (Valium®)

C: Indomethacin (Indocin®)

D: Oxycodone (Oxycontin®)

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #95

Each of the following is a possible differential diagnosis for the radiolucent lesion apical to vital tooth 30 EXCEPT
one. Which is the EXCEPTION?

A: Benign bone radiolucency

B: Breast cancer metastasis

C: Periapical abscess

D: Traumatic bone cyst

Item #96

What is the Angle's classification of malocclusion for this patient?

A: Class I malocclusion

B: Class II division 1 malocclusion

C: Class II division 2 malocclusion

D: Class III malocclusion

Item #97

What time-frame would be expected for the majority of resorption to have occurred following an uncomplicated
dental extraction in the absence of ridge preservation therapy?

A: 1 month

B: 3 months

C: 6 months

D: 12 months

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #98

Following the extraction of tooth 19, there is loss of alveolar bone. Which is true regarding the expected pattern of
bone resorption?

A: Equal buccally and lingually

B: More buccally than lingually

C: More lingually than buccally

Item #99

What is the best approach to provide adequate keratinized tissue for an implant restoration of site 19?

A: Bone graft to augment the ridge at site 19 before implant placement

B: Connective tissue graft at site 19 during implant placement

C: Extensive free gingival graft from tooth 18 to tooth 20 before implant placement

D: Lingualized crestal incision during healing abutment placement surgery

Item #100

After clinical examination, what is the correct sequence of events to plan the implant surgery?

A: Panoramic x-ray, cone beam computerized tomography, scaling and root planing

B: Scaling and root planing, cone beam computerized tomography, working cast

C: Working cast, cone beam computerized tomography, panoramic x-ray

D: Working cast, cone beam computerized tomography, surgical guide

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Item #101

Which of the following statements is correct concerning single implant restoration for the mandibular posterior
region?

A: A three-unit fixed dental prosthesis has a better long-term prognosis than an implant crown.

B: Cement-retained restoration is indicated for limited inter-arch distance.

C: The minimal mesio-distal distance is 8 mm for a regular-diameter 4 mm implant.

D: There is no benefit to platform switching.

End Case 2

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

 ADAT Practice Test Answer Key
Item # Key Item # Key
1 B 53 C
2 D 54 C
3 A 55 B
4 B 56 D
5 B 57 B
6 A 58 B
7 C 59 B
8 A 60 B
9 A 61 B
10 B 62 C
11 B 63 D
12 C 64 D
13 D 65 C
14 A 66 C
15 D 67 B
16 D 68 A
17 B 69 C
18 B 70 C
19 B 71 B
20 D 72 D
21 C 73 A
22 A 74 A
23 C 75 A
24 A 76 B
25 D 77 C
26 B 78 A
27 B 79 B
28 D 80 B
29 C 81 D
30 D 82 B
31 D 83 D
32 B 84 B
33 B 85 C
34 A 86 D
35 C 87 A
36 B 88 D
37 B 89 B
38 B 90 C
39 C 91 C
40 A 92 D
41 D 93 B
42 B 94 A
43 A 95 C
44 B 96 C
45 A 97 B
46 A 98 B
47 A 99 D
48 C 100 D
49 D 101 C
50 D
51 B
52 D

©2016. American Dental Association. All rights reserved.