ADC Written Examination (dental hygiene, dental therapy, oral health therapy)

Exam at a glance

Questions

100

Duration

180 minutes

Pass mark

not published

Sections

Hygiene or therapy: 100 scenario-based items in 2 × 90 min; combined: 130 items in 2 × 120 min; paper-based

Exam type

Written

Language

English

Authority

ADC

Curriculum

Built from the question bank and updated automatically when new questions are added. 15 modules · 368 questions · Last updated: 30 October 2026

1. 01Local anaesthesia and pharmacology26 questions · 7.1 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: tooth types, primary and permanent teeth
   • Foundations: nerve supply of the teeth and the inferior alveolar nerve block
   • Foundations: intraoral radiographs and the panoramic view

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   An oral health therapist has given an adult four 1.8 mL cartridges of lidocaine 2% with adrenaline during a restorative visit. What total dose of lidocaine has the patient received?

   A14.4 mgB144 mgC72 mgD288 mg

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
2. 02Assessment, medical history and treatment planning for complex patients26 questions · 7.1 % of the bank

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A 74-year-old man takes warfarin for atrial fibrillation and is booked for subgingival scaling that is expected to cause some bleeding. Which action is most appropriate at the assessment?

   AAsk him to stop warfarin for 5 days before the appointmentBCheck that an INR result taken within the previous 24 hours is available and acceptableCCheck only his platelet count, since warfarin does not affect bleedingDAsk his GP to give vitamin K before every scaling visit

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
3. 03Biomedical sciences and head and neck anatomy18 questions · 4.9 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: tooth types, primary and permanent teeth
   • Foundations: nerve supply of the teeth and the inferior alveolar nerve block
   • Foundations: intraoral radiographs and the panoramic view

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   Which nerve provides the motor supply to the masseter and temporalis muscles?

   AThe facial nerveBThe mandibular division of the trigeminal nerveCThe glossopharyngeal nerveDThe hypoglossal nerve

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
4. 04Caries management, fluoride and dietary advice27 questions · 7.3 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: tooth surfaces, cavity classes and minimal intervention
   • Foundations: direct restorative materials

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   Which toothpaste recommendation is appropriate for a healthy 4-year-old child in Australia?

   ABrush with water only until the age of 6 yearsBA full strip of standard 1,000-1,500 ppm fluoride toothpasteCA pea-sized amount of 5,000 ppm fluoride toothpasteDA pea-sized amount of low-fluoride toothpaste (400-550 ppm)

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
5. 05Complete dentures: clinical and laboratory stages28 questions · 7.6 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: bridges and post-retained crowns
   • Foundations: complete and partial dentures and implant components

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A dental prosthetist is border moulding a custom tray for a mandibular final impression, using low-fusing impression compound. What is the main purpose of this step?

   ATo thin the tray so that less impression material is neededBTo record the functional depth and width of the sulcus shaped by muscle actionCTo lock the tray in place so material cannot flow into undercutsDTo harden the tray periphery so that it can be autoclaved

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
6. 06Medical emergencies in the dental chair18 questions · 4.9 % of the bank
7. 07Infection prevention and control26 questions · 7.1 % of the bank
8. 08Child and adolescent oral health28 questions · 7.6 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: dental trauma and pulp therapy in children
   • Foundations: space maintainers and fissure sealants
9. 09Partial dentures, repairs and implant-retained prostheses27 questions · 7.3 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: bridges and post-retained crowns
   • Foundations: complete and partial dentures and implant components
10. 10Oral pathology, mucosal disease and oral cancer screening28 questions · 7.6 % of the bank

    Chapters

    • Foundations: extraction forceps and impacted third molars
    • Foundations: spread of odontogenic infection and dry socket
    • Foundations: mandibular fractures, the TMJ and oral mucosal lesions
11. 11Periodontology and periodontal therapy34 questions · 9.2 % of the bank

    Chapters

    • Foundations: anatomy of the tooth and periodontium
    • Foundations: periodontal health and periodontitis
    • Foundations: patterns of bone loss around teeth and implants
    • Foundations: subgingival instrumentation and access flap surgery
12. 12Population oral health and cultural safety18 questions · 4.9 % of the bank
13. 13Professional practice, ethics, consent and records18 questions · 4.9 % of the bank
14. 14Dental radiography and radiation safety28 questions · 7.6 % of the bank

    Chapters

    • Foundations: tooth types, primary and permanent teeth
    • Foundations: nerve supply of the teeth and the inferior alveolar nerve block
    • Foundations: intraoral radiographs and the panoramic view
15. 15Direct restorations and paediatric pulp therapy18 questions · 4.9 % of the bank

    Chapters

    • Foundations: tooth surfaces, cavity classes and minimal intervention
    • Foundations: direct restorative materials
    • Foundations: dental trauma and pulp therapy in children
    • Foundations: space maintainers and fissure sealants

What you get

• Question bank with a detailed explanation for every answer
• Timed mock exams in the real exam format, with score report by topic
• Personal study plan up to your exam date and review of weak topics
• AI tutor that explains any question in plain words
• One account for the app (iPhone, iPad) and the browser

From registration to licence

The usual steps with ADC. Details can change; check the current rules with ADC before you register.

1. Check eligibility and collect your documents (degree, experience, good standing).
2. Create an account with ADC and submit the application.
3. Receive the exam eligibility and book a date with the test centre.
4. Sit the exam. Results usually come within days.
5. After passing: complete licensing (for example primary source verification) and receive your licence.

Frequently asked questions