DANB GC Exam Prep: Priority Map, 30 Practice Questions and a 4-Week Plan
DANB's General Chairside Assisting (GC) exam is 95 multiple-choice questions in 75 minutes, and half of it is Chairside Dentistry. Use the priority map to split your study time, then start with Question 1.
Your GC priority map
| Domain | Official weight | About this many of 95 questions* | Starting share of your study time |
|---|---|---|---|
| III. Chairside Dentistry | 50% | 47–48 | Half |
| I. Evaluation | 17% | 16 | About a sixth |
| II. Patient Management and Administration | 17% | 16 | About a sixth |
| IV. Dental Materials | 16% | 15 | About a sixth |
*Our arithmetic: 95 × each weight, rounded. DANB gives every candidate the same percentage of questions from each domain, but it also mixes in a few unscored pretest questions you can't identify, so treat these as study guides, not scored-item counts. Weights and question total: DANB GC Exam Outline, p. 2.
The time split is our starting suggestion, not a DANB rule. Once your practice misses show a weak domain, shift time toward it while keeping all four in rotation. Study Chairside Dentistry as sequences: what goes on the tray, in what order, and why each step comes where it does.
Practice questions: 30 original GC questions with explanations
Pick an answer before you open the explanation. The set follows DANB's domain weights: Evaluation 5, Patient Management and Administration 5, Chairside Dentistry 15, Dental Materials 5.
Original, unofficial practice questions written by Castleport Test Prep, not DANB exam questions. Your score here is feedback on these 30 items only; it doesn't convert to a DANB scaled score or predict a result.
Evaluation (Questions 1–5)
Question 1 · GC-P01 · Evaluation · Medical emergencies
Seconds after seeing the anesthetic syringe, a 24-year-old patient seated upright turns pale and sweaty, says she feels lightheaded and slumps briefly. She's breathing. You've stopped and called the dentist. Which position comes first?
Show answer
Answer: B
Why: These are classic signs of vasovagal syncope, the most common medical emergency in dental offices. Lying flat with the legs slightly raised helps blood return to the heart and brain; keep her lying down until she recovers.
Why not the others: Upright positions keep blood pooled away from the brain. Face-down blocks access to her airway and face. Anything by mouth is wrong for someone who has just lost consciousness, and juice treats low blood sugar, which nothing here suggests.
Source: Colgate Oral Health Network: Management of common medical emergencies in the dental office, "Syncope"
Question 2 · GC-P02 · Evaluation · Medical emergencies
A patient with a seizure disorder has a generalized seizure in the chair; the tray is still beside her. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer: C
Why: CDC seizure first aid: clear away anything that could cause injury, don't restrain, put nothing in the mouth, time the seizure, and turn the person on their side afterward. Call 911 if it lasts longer than 5 minutes.
Why not the others: Objects in the mouth can break teeth or injure the jaw. Restraint can cause injury. Fluids during or right after a seizure risk choking.
Source: CDC: First Aid for Seizures
Question 3 · GC-P03 · Evaluation · Medical emergencies
Minutes after a latex exposure, a patient develops spreading hives, swollen lips and wheezing, and her blood pressure is falling. Which drug is first-line?
Show answer
Answer: A
Why: Skin signs plus breathing trouble and falling blood pressure point to anaphylaxis. Intramuscular epinephrine in the outer thigh is the mainstay of treatment, given promptly, with 911 called.
Why not the others: Antihistamines are add-ons: they work slowly and don't reverse airway swelling or low blood pressure. A quick-relief inhaler eases bronchospasm only. Nitroglycerin lowers blood pressure and is for angina.
Source: American Family Physician: Anaphylaxis: Rapid Recognition and Treatment (2020), Treatment
Question 4 · GC-P04 · Evaluation · Medical emergencies
In the waiting room, a 68-year-old man suddenly can't raise his right arm, one side of his face droops, and his speech is slurred. What's the right response?
Show answer
Answer: C
Why: Face droop, arm weakness and speech difficulty are the F.A.S.T. stroke signs. CDC says to call 911 immediately and note when symptoms began, because timing affects which treatments are possible.
Why not the others: Waiting wastes treatment time. Glucose gel and leg elevation treat other emergencies (low blood sugar and fainting) and delay emergency care.
Question 5 · GC-P05 · Evaluation · Head and neck anatomy
Which of these is not one of the four primary muscles of mastication?
Show answer
Answer: D
Why: The four primary muscles of mastication are the temporalis, masseter, medial pterygoid and lateral pterygoid. The buccinator is a muscle of facial expression that keeps food between the teeth, sometimes described as an accessory chewing muscle.
Why not the others: Masseter, temporalis and lateral pterygoid are all primary muscles of mastication.
Source: StatPearls: Anatomy, Head and Neck, Mastication Muscles, Structure and Function
Patient Management and Administration (Questions 6–10)
Question 6 · GC-P06 · Patient Management · Oral health education
A patient drinks one sweetened coffee a day but sips it from 8 a.m. until noon. Which education point fits best?
Show answer
Answer: B
Why: Plaque bacteria turn sugars into acid that removes minerals from enamel. Frequent intake means repeated acid exposure, so how often sugar arrives matters, not just how much.
Why not the others: Spreading one drink over hours multiplies exposures. Staining isn't decay. A rinse doesn't undo hours of repeated acid exposure.
Source: NIDCR: Tooth Decay
Question 7 · GC-P07 · Patient Management · Plaque control
A patient with gingivitis asks how to brush along the gumline. Which instruction describes the sulcular (Bass) technique?
Show answer
Answer: A
Why: The Bass (sulcular) method aims the bristles at about 45° toward the root so the tips enter the sulcus, where plaque drives gingivitis. Adding a roll toward the biting surface makes it the "modified" Bass.
Why not the others: Horizontal scrubbing misses the sulcus. Large circles with the teeth closed describes the Fones (circular) method. Sweeping away from the gums alone doesn't clean into the sulcus.
Source: Manual toothbrushing techniques for plaque removal and the prevention of gingivitis — systematic review (PMC), Table 1 (Bass technique)
Question 8 · GC-P08 · Patient Management · Legal responsibilities
Partway through a multi-visit treatment plan, a dentist decides to stop treating a patient. Under the ADA Code of Professional Conduct, what must happen?
Show answer
Answer: B
Why: ADA Code section 2.F (patient abandonment): once a course of treatment is under way, the dentist shouldn't discontinue it without adequate notice and an opportunity for the patient to get care elsewhere, and should make sure the patient's oral health isn't jeopardized in the meantime.
Why not the others: Stopping without notice is abandonment. The Code requires neither free completion nor the patient's permission.
Source: ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct, section 2.F
Question 9 · GC-P09 · Patient Management · Inventory management
Your office uses 12 boxes of exam gloves a week. Delivery takes 2 weeks after you order, and the office keeps 6 boxes as safety stock. At what count should you reorder?
Show answer
Answer: C
Why: Reorder point = usage during the lead time + safety stock = (12 × 2) + 6 = 30. Ordering at 30 means about 6 boxes remain when the shipment arrives.
Why not the others: 18 adds the weekly use to safety stock but ignores the second week of lead time. 24 covers lead time with no safety stock. 36 adds an extra week you don't need.
Source: University of Iowa, Industrial Engineering: Reorder Point lecture (formula); arithmetic ours
Question 10 · GC-P10 · Patient Management · OSHA regulations
A new etchant that OSHA classifies as hazardous arrives. Under the Hazard Communication Standard, how must its safety data sheet (SDS) be kept?
Show answer
Answer: D
Why: OSHA requires employers to keep an SDS for each hazardous chemical and make it readily accessible during each work shift to employees in their work areas. Electronic access is fine if it doesn't block immediate access.
Why not the others: A file employees can't reach doesn't meet "readily accessible." Offices don't submit SDSs to OSHA, and access can't depend on a written request.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8)
Back to the plan (session 5)
Chairside Dentistry (Questions 11–25)
Question 11 · GC-P11 · Chairside · Four-handed dentistry
In four-handed dentistry, how should the assistant's stool be adjusted relative to the operator?
Show answer
Answer: D
Why: Sitting 4–6 inches above the operator lets the assistant see into the field over the operator's hands while staying seated and stable for transfers and suction.
Why not the others: At or below the operator's level, the operator's hands and head block your view. Standing gives up stability and conserves no motion.
Source: Dentalcare CE 643: Strategies for conserving motion, item 9
Question 12 · GC-P12 · Chairside · Dental dam
After the dental dam is over the teeth, the dentist asks you to invert (tuck) the dam around each isolated tooth. What does inverting do?
Show answer
Answer: A
Why: Tucking the dam edge around the cervical margin of each tooth creates a tight seal so fluids don't leak into the isolated field.
Why not the others: The clamp holds itself on the anchor tooth. Cheek and tongue retraction comes from the dam sheet and frame, not the inversion. Inverting has no anesthetic effect.
Question 13 · GC-P13 · Chairside · Matrices
Which matrix is normally used for a Class III composite restoration on an anterior tooth?
Show answer
Answer: C
Why: A clear strip matrix recreates the proximal wall of an anterior tooth, and the composite can be light-cured through the transparent strip.
Why not the others: Tofflemire and sectional metal systems are posterior (Class II) matrices and block curing light. Without a matrix, composite flows onto the adjacent tooth and the contact can't be formed properly.
Source: Urkande et al., Anterior Matrix Systems for Composite Restorations: A Review, Cureus 2023
Question 14 · GC-P14 · Chairside · Composite restorations
For a deep preparation filled with a conventional (not bulk-fill) light-cured composite, how is the material placed?
Show answer
Answer: B
Why: Curing light loses intensity as it passes through composite, so thick layers may not cure at the bottom. About 2 mm increments improve depth of cure and help limit shrinkage stress.
Why not the others: Thick single layers risk an uncured base. Around 4 mm applies to bulk-fill products designed for it, not conventional composite.
Source: Depth of cure of flowable composites at different increment thicknesses (PMC), Introduction
Question 15 · GC-P15 · Chairside · Curing lights
What eye protection is appropriate while a dental curing light is in use?
Show answer
Answer: A
Why: Curing lights emit intense blue light (the common photoinitiator camphorquinone absorbs around 450–480 nm). Orange filters block those wavelengths and are recommended to protect the eyes.
Why not the others: Clear lenses don't filter blue light. Looking away after the light is on still exposes your eyes at the start. Gray sunglasses aren't designed to block this hazard.
Source: ADA: Dental Curing Lights
Question 16 · GC-P16 · Chairside · Temporary restorations
A provisional crown has just been cemented with temporary cement. How should floss be used at the contacts?
Show answer
Answer: D
Why: Lifting floss back up through a tight contact can catch the provisional's margin and pop it off. Pulling it out to the side cleans the contact and helps remove excess cement; set excess is also removed with a scaler.
Why not the others: Pulling back up or toward the occlusal risks dislodging it. Skipping floss leaves excess cement under the gingiva.
Source: UC Irvine Student Health: Post-op instructions for crown and bridge (source link unavailable at implementation check); Inside Dental Assisting: Provisional (temporary) cements (source link unavailable at implementation check)
Question 17 · GC-P17 · Chairside · Occlusal registration
For a routine single crown in a patient with stable pretreatment occlusion, how is the bite registration normally made?
Show answer
Answer: C
Why: When the restoration is intended to match the patient’s pretreatment bite and the dentition has stable contacts, the interocclusal record is made in maximum intercuspation so the casts can be related in that position.
Why not the others: An open mouth does not record occlusion. Protrusive and lateral records are used for other occlusal purposes, not the routine maximum-intercuspation record described here.
Source: Freilich et al., Principles for selecting interocclusal records for articulation of dentate and partially dentate casts, abstract
Question 18 · GC-P18 · Chairside · Local anesthetic armamentarium
While preparing the syringe, you notice a cartridge with a large bubble and a stopper pushed out past the rim of the glass. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer: A
Why: A large bubble with an extruded stopper suggests the cartridge was frozen, and it shouldn't be used. A small bubble alone is normal.
Why not the others: Warming or expelling the bubble doesn't make a compromised cartridge safe.
Source: Dentalcare CE 325: The cartridge
Back to the plan (session 10)
Question 19 · GC-P19 · Chairside · Suture removal
You're removing interrupted sutures. Which technique is correct?
Show answer
Answer: B
Why: Cutting just under the knot, close to the tissue, lets you remove the suture without drawing the contaminated outer portion back through the tissue.
Why not the others: Cutting both sides can leave a fragment behind. Cutting above the knot or pulling the free end drags the exposed suture through the wound.
Source: NCBI Bookshelf: Nursing Skills — Wound Care, intermittent suture removal, steps 13–15
Question 20 · GC-P20 · Chairside · Implants
What does osseointegration mean?
Show answer
Answer: D
Why: That's Brånemark's classic definition, and it's why implants need healing time before they're loaded.
Why not the others: A soft-tissue seal is a separate process. A fibrous layer between bone and implant means it did not integrate. Cementation joins restoration parts, not bone to implant.
Source: Contemporary Concepts in Osseointegration of Dental Implants: A Review (PMC), Introduction
Question 21 · GC-P21 · Chairside · Post-operative instructions
Which swelling instruction fits the first day after an extraction?
Show answer
Answer: C
Why: Intermittent cold on the outside of the face during the first day limits swelling, which typically peaks around the second day.
Why not the others: Heat isn't a first-day measure. Ice in the socket risks disturbing the clot.
Source: Harvard School of Dental Medicine: Oral surgery post-op instructions; Mass Eye and Ear: After tooth extraction care (source link unavailable at implementation check)
Question 22 · GC-P22 · Chairside · Nitrous oxide/oxygen
Which patient condition would make nitrous oxide inappropriate under current AAPD guidance?
Show answer
Answer: A
Why: Current AAPD guidance for pregnant adolescent patients states that nitrous oxide is contraindicated in the first trimester of pregnancy. Mild anxiety, a strong gag reflex and fear of needles are reasons nitrous oxide may be considered rather than contraindications.
Why not the others: Mild anxiety and a strong gag reflex are listed indications for nitrous oxide in AAPD guidance; fear of needles can also be a reason to use an anxiolytic approach rather than a contraindication.
Source: AAPD: Oral Health Care for the Pregnant Adolescent, nitrous oxide guidance
Question 23 · GC-P23 · Chairside · Desensitizing teeth
How does a potassium nitrate desensitizing toothpaste reduce sensitivity?
Show answer
Answer: B
Why: Potassium raises potassium levels around the nerve, depolarizing it so it responds less to stimuli. By contrast, agents such as fluoride varnish and oxalates work by occluding the open tubules that let fluid movement trigger the nerve.
Why not the others: Plugging tubules is the other main approach, not potassium nitrate's. It doesn't whiten or place a resin seal.
Source: Dentalcare CE 200: Potassium nitrate dentifrice and Treatments
Question 24 · GC-P24 · Chairside · Sealants
When does CDC say sealants on permanent molars do the most good?
Show answer
Answer: C
Why: CDC says sealants on permanent molars prevent 80% of cavities for 2 years and keep protecting for up to 4 years, and are best applied soon after the molars come in.
Why not the others: Sealing primary teeth doesn't protect permanent molars. Sealants prevent decay; decay into dentin needs a restoration.
Source: CDC: About Dental Sealants, Prevention steps and strategies
Question 25 · GC-P25 · Chairside · Topical fluoride
After fluoride varnish on a child's teeth, which instruction matches AAP guidance for parents?
Show answer
Answer: D
Why: The child can eat and drink right away, but only soft foods and drinks that aren't hot, and should wait at least 4–6 hours, or until the next morning, before brushing or flossing so the varnish stays in contact longer.
Why not the others: There's no 24-hour fast. Brushing right away or chewing crunchy food removes varnish early.
Back to the plan (session 13)
Dental Materials (Questions 26–30)
Question 26 · GC-P26 · Dental Materials · Glass ionomers
Which property makes glass ionomer a common choice for restorations in patients at high risk of decay?
Show answer
Answer: A
Why: Glass ionomer releases fluoride (a burst early, then slowly over time) and bonds to enamel and dentin by ion exchange with the tooth's calcium.
Why not the others: Conventional glass ionomer sets by an acid-base reaction, not light. Eugenol belongs to ZOE cements. Glass ionomer is relatively weak under heavy occlusal stress.
Source: A Review of Glass-Ionomer Cements for Clinical Dentistry (PMC), fluoride release and adhesion sections
Question 27 · GC-P27 · Dental Materials · Liners
Why has calcium hydroxide long been placed over a small pulp exposure (direct pulp capping)?
Show answer
Answer: C
Why: Calcium hydroxide has historically been used for direct pulp capping because its high pH inhibits microorganisms and supports the pulp’s reparative response and mineralized barrier formation. Newer calcium-silicate materials such as MTA and Biodentine often show better clinical performance, but that does not change why calcium hydroxide was traditionally used.
Why not the others: Eugenol is in ZOE, not calcium hydroxide. Fluoride release is a glass ionomer property.
Source: Direct pulp capping procedures — Evidence and practice (PMC), section 5.1 Calcium hydroxide
Question 28 · GC-P28 · Dental Materials · Cements
How is zinc phosphate cement mixed?
Show answer
Answer: B
Why: The setting reaction gives off heat. A cool slab and small increments spread over a wide area dissipate that heat and extend working time.
Why not the others: Heat and large additions speed the set. Changing the powder-liquid ratio weakens the cement.
Source: Zinc phosphate cement study, Biomedicines 2023 (MDPI) (source link unavailable at implementation check), Introduction; JCDA: Dental Cements: An Update (source link unavailable at implementation check)
Question 29 · GC-P29 · Dental Materials · Gypsum
How should you pour an alginate impression with dental stone?
Show answer
Answer: D
Why: Vibration and a one-side, small-increment pour push air out ahead of the stone, so tooth surfaces fill without bubbles.
Why not the others: Dumping or filling from both ends traps air. Skipping vibration leaves voids.
Source: Augusta University Dental College of Georgia: Pouring up study casts
Question 30 · GC-P30 · Dental Materials · Temporary restorations
Which statement about IRM (intermediate restorative material) is accurate?
Show answer
Answer: A
Why: IRM is reinforced ZOE, indicated for intermediate restorations of less than a year and as a base under non-resin restorations. Eugenol can interfere with resin setting, which is why it isn't used under composites.
Why not the others: It isn't a composite or a glass ionomer, and it isn't designed as a long-term permanent restoration.
Source: Dentsply Sirona IRM Directions for Use, Product Description and Indications
Back to the plan (session 15)
GC at a glance: 95 questions · 75 minutes · 4 domains · pass = scaled score of 400 on a 100–900 scale · computer adaptive · test center or online · outline effective July 1, 2022 · Last verified October 26, 2026 against DANB's GC page, GC outline, 2026 CDA Application Packet and 2026 Candidate Handbook.
Use your results: the miss log
Count misses by domain, not just your total. Then log each miss in a table like this one, on paper or in a spreadsheet:
| Question ID | Domain | What I chose | The rule or sequence I needed | Why I missed it | What I'll review | Retest on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GC-P13 | Chairside | A | Anterior composites use a clear strip; metal bands are for posterior teeth | Confused two procedures | Matrix systems by tooth and material | Day 3 |
Pick the "why" honestly. The usual causes are: didn't know the fact, wrong sequence, vocabulary, mixed up two materials or procedures, misread the question, or guessed right (log those too). Then:
- Two or more misses in one domain? Move that week of the plan earlier or give it double time.
- Missed an emergency question? Work through the medical-emergency table below until you can name the first action for every row from memory.
- Same cause showing up again and again? Fix the habit, not just the fact. Misreading means slowing down on stems; sequence misses mean writing procedures out step by step.
Retest each logged item a few days later, cold. If you can explain why the right answer is right and why your choice was wrong, it's fixed.
What's on the GC exam, domain by domain
DANB's outline lists the topics; here is what each domain asks you to be able to do (GC outline, pp. 3–6).
Chairside Dentistry (50%)
Set up the treatment room and trays; seat and position the patient and team; transfer instruments; keep the field clear with dental dam and suction. Know the armamentarium and sequence for:
- temporary and permanent restorations: crown and bridge preparation and cementation, occlusal registration, composite and amalgam restorations, matrix bands, temporaries, final impressions
- topical and local anesthetic, and suture placement and removal
- bleaching/whitening and desensitizing teeth
- oral surgery: implants, extractions, dry socket, incision and drainage, nitrous oxide/oxygen, post-op care and complications
- preventive dentistry: prophylaxis, sealants, coronal polishing, topical fluoride
For each procedure, be able to say its purpose, its sequence, the instruments and materials on the tray, and the common errors or complications. Some of these are expanded functions that only some states let assistants perform. The exam tests your knowledge of them either way.
Evaluation (17%)
Preliminary exam (general condition, vital signs, health and dental histories, diagnostic data); tooth anatomy, arches, surfaces, angles and divisions, occlusion and malocclusion; head and neck systems (circulatory, lymphatic, muscular/skeletal, nervous); charting; treatment documentation, consent and compliance; and medical conditions that cause emergencies.
Medical emergencies: what to recognize and what happens first
GC emergency questions usually turn on the first action. In every case: stop treatment, clear the patient's mouth, call for the dentist and follow your office's emergency plan.
| Pattern you see | Likely problem | First actions to know | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anxious patient turns pale and sweaty, feels lightheaded, may briefly lose consciousness | Vasovagal syncope (fainting), the most common dental-office emergency | Recline flat on the back with legs slightly raised; keep lying down until recovered | Colgate Oral Health Network CE review |
| Anxious, fast breathing, lightheaded, prickling or tingling of the face, lips or fingers | Hyperventilation | Sit upright, calm the patient, slow the breathing. Don't give oxygen | Dentalcare CE 516 |
| Patient with diabetes skipped a meal; shaky, sweaty, irritable or confused but awake and able to swallow | Low blood glucose | 15–20 g fast sugar (½ cup regular juice, glucose gel), recheck in 15 minutes. Unconscious: glucagon and 911 | NIDDK |
| Wheezing, short of breath, known asthma | Asthma attack | The patient's quick-relief inhaler (a short-acting beta₂-agonist). Daily controller inhalers don't stop an attack | NHLBI |
| Chest pain or pressure in a patient with angina | Angina, possible heart attack | Nitroglycerin as directed; call 911 if not better 5 minutes after the first dose | MedlinePlus |
| Hives, lip or throat swelling, wheezing, falling blood pressure after an exposure | Anaphylaxis | Intramuscular epinephrine (outer thigh) and 911. Antihistamines are add-ons, not first-line | American Family Physician, 2020 |
| Generalized jerking, unresponsive | Seizure | Clear instruments and hard objects away, don't restrain, put nothing in the mouth, time it; turn on the side afterward. 911 if over 5 minutes | CDC |
| Sudden face droop, one-arm weakness, slurred speech (sometimes balance or vision loss) | Stroke | Call 911 right away and note when symptoms started (F.A.S.T. / BE FAST) | CDC |
| Blood pressure above 180 and/or above 120 | Severe hypertension; a hypertensive emergency if symptoms are present | Recheck and tell the dentist before treatment begins; 911 if symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, or vision or speech changes | American Heart Association |
Who gives which drug is set by the dentist, your office protocol and your state's rules. The exam tests whether you recognize the problem and know the correct first response.
Patient Management and Administration (17%)
Manage anxious, pediatric and special-needs patients; teach oral health (nutrition, systemic disease, fluoride, home care, plaque control, appliances and prostheses, pre- and post-treatment instructions, pros and cons of restorative materials, caries development). On the administration side: legal records, OSHA regulations, CDC guidelines, HIPAA, the dentist-patient relationship, standard of care, your state dental practice act, inventory (ordering, storing, reordering), and maintenance of N₂O/O₂ tanks, rotary instruments, traps and suction lines, lab equipment and the emergency kit.
Dental Materials (16%)
Impression materials (alginates, elastomerics, waxes); operative materials (amalgam, whitening agents, cements, composites, etchants, dentin bonding agents, glass ionomers, sealants, post-extraction dressings, temporaries, liners and bases, finishing and polishing agents); and lab materials (acrylics, dental waxes, gypsum). Study them in pairs that are easy to confuse: liner vs. base, glass ionomer vs. composite, ZOE vs. resin-compatible temporaries, plaster vs. stone.
Your 4-week GC study plan
Assumptions: 20 sessions of about 60–75 minutes (five a week), one current dental assisting textbook from DANB's reference list or your program, and the free documents linked on this page. Every session uses the same loop: learn the topic, close the book and explain it out loud or write the sequence from memory, answer questions worded in new ways, and log every miss by cause.
| Week | Session | Focus (outline area) | Do this |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1: Evaluation + Patient Management and Administration | 1 | Teeth and head-and-neck anatomy (I.B) | Universal numbering (permanent 1–32, primary A–T), surfaces, angles and divisions, occlusion; muscles of mastication, TMJ, trigeminal nerve branches, major vessels and lymph nodes |
| 2 | Charting and documentation (I.C–D) | G.V. Black classes, the charting symbols your program uses, treatment notes, prescriptions, consent and compliance | |
| 3 | Preliminary exam and emergencies (I.A, I.E) | Normal vital-sign ranges, health and dental histories, and the medical-emergency table until you can name every first action | |
| 4 | Patient management and education (II.A) | Anxious, pediatric and special-needs patients; caries process, nutrition, fluoride, brushing and flossing methods, appliance care, pre- and post-op instructions | |
| 5 | Administration (II.B) + Questions 1–10 | Records, OSHA/CDC/HIPAA, standard of care, your state practice act, inventory and reorder points, equipment and emergency-kit checks | |
| 2: Chairside Dentistry, part 1 | 6 | Four-handed dentistry (III.A.1–4) | Room and tray prep, seating and positioning, operating zones, instrument transfer |
| 7 | Field of operation (III.A.5) | Dental dam (punching, clamps, placement, inverting, removal), HVE vs. saliva ejector, other moisture control | |
| 8 | Restorations (III.B.1.c, g) | Amalgam and composite sequences, Class I–V preparations, matrices and wedges, curing | |
| 9 | Crown and bridge (III.B.1.a, b, e, f) | Retraction, final impressions, provisionals, cementation and clean-up, occlusal registration | |
| 10 | Anesthesia + Questions 11–18 | Topical and local anesthetic armamentarium, cartridge and syringe handling, vasoconstrictors | |
| 3: Chairside Dentistry, part 2 + Dental Materials | 11 | Oral surgery and implants (III.B.1.d, III.B.4) | Extraction setups, sutures, incision and drainage, dry socket, implants, post-op care |
| 12 | N₂O/O₂, whitening, desensitizing (III.B.2–3, III.B.4.e) | Delivery and recovery, contraindications, sensitivity management | |
| 13 | Preventive (III.B.5) + Questions 19–25 | Prophylaxis, sealants, coronal polishing, topical fluoride and varnish instructions | |
| 14 | Impression and lab materials (IV.A, IV.C) | Alginate, elastomerics, waxes, acrylics, gypsum: handling and common errors | |
| 15 | Operative materials (IV.B) + Questions 26–30 | Cements, liners and bases, glass ionomers, bonding agents, etchants, composites, amalgam, temporaries, dressings, polishing agents | |
| 4: Mixed review | 16 | Miss log | Redo every logged question; write three procedure sequences from memory |
| 17 | Timed set 1 | The 48 GC questions in our free DANB CDA practice test, at about 47 seconds each | |
| 18 | Weakest domain | Re-study the domain with the most misses, then answer fresh questions on it | |
| 19 | Exam rehearsal | DANB's free demo exam for the screens; redo this page's 30 questions cold | |
| 20 | Logistics + light review | Final-week checklist below; review your miss log, then stop |
Only 2 weeks? Do two sessions a day in the same order, keep sessions 16 and 20, and drop nothing from the topic list. Shorten sessions, not coverage.
Have 6–8 weeks? Give each of sessions 6–15 two sessions (one to learn, one to practice) and add a cumulative review at the end of each week. DANB also posts its own GC study guide plans in 6-, 10- and 12-week versions, built around DALE Foundation courses and textbooks.
This is Castleport's editorial plan built from DANB's published outline and weights. It isn't a DANB requirement, and no plan guarantees a result.
Final-week checklist
- Reopen the GC outline and tick off anything you never practiced.
- Work from your miss log instead of rereading whole chapters.
- Say three procedure sequences and five material pairs out loud.
- Check that your ID is current, government-issued, photo- and signature-bearing, and matches your DANB account name exactly (2026 Candidate Handbook, p. 9).
- Check your CPR, BLS or ACLS card stays current through your whole 60-day window (2026 CDA Application Packet, p. 4).
- Testing online? Run the system check, clear your desk and plan a private room with the door closed (Handbook, pp. 7, 10).
- No new big topics in the last 48 hours. Sleep.
How GC is scored, and what that means on test day
GC is computer adaptive: get a question right and the next one tends to be harder. Your result depends on the difficulty of the questions you answer correctly, reported as a scaled score from 100 to 900; you need 400 to pass. A scaled score isn't a number or percent correct, and you aren't compared with other candidates. DANB says the average candidate answers around 50% of questions correctly (GC outline, pp. 2 and 9).
- A hard-feeling exam is normal. An adaptive test keeps serving questions near your ability level, so a run of tough questions isn't a sign you're failing.
- You can't go back. Once you submit an answer, you can't return to that question or change it (DANB: Prepare for Exams). Read the whole stem, rule out what you know is wrong, choose the best practice, then commit.
- No trick questions. DANB says its questions test knowledge rather than try to trick you, each has three or four options with one best answer, and most people finish with time left (DANB: 4 important details to know about DANB exams, Jan. 10, 2024).
- Answer everything. You must answer every question to get a pass/fail result, and a few unidentified pretest questions don't count, so give each one your best effort (Candidate Handbook, pp. 13–14).
- Pacing: 75 minutes ÷ 95 questions ≈ 47 seconds per question on average (our arithmetic, not a per-question limit).
GC exam facts you'll need before test day
| What | Current rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who can take GC | One of three pathways: (I) CODA-accredited dental assisting or hygiene graduate (or graduating within 90 days), or RDH license from any state except Alabama; (II) 3,500 hours of dentist-verified work over 2–4 years plus high school or equivalent; (III) former CDA, dental degree student or graduate, or DANB-accepted post-baccalaureate program. Plus current hands-on CPR, BLS or ACLS from a DANB-accepted provider | 2026 CDA Application Packet, pp. 3–4 |
| CPR timing | Current at application and through the entire 60-day testing window | Packet, p. 4 |
| Fee (2026) | $270 standard; $265 active military. Includes a $75 nonrefundable application fee. 2026 applications accepted through Dec. 31, 2026 | Packet, pp. 1, 11 |
| Testing window | 60 days from approval to schedule and take the exam | Packet, p. 6 |
| Where | Pearson VUE test center or online proctoring | DANB GC page; GC outline, p. 2 |
| Breaks | Online: none. Test center: with proctor approval, and the clock keeps running | Handbook, p. 8 |
| Online check-in | No later than 15 minutes after your start time, or the exam counts as missed | Handbook, p. 10 |
| Results | Posted to your DANB account within 1–3 business days; passed results also mailed within 2–4 weeks | Handbook, p. 14 |
| Retakes | No limit; reapply and pay the full fee. Some states require extra education after failed attempts | Handbook, p. 4 |
| Hand scoring | Request within 7 calendar days after results post; fee refunded if your pass/fail status reverses | Handbook, p. 14 |
| CDA credit | GC is one of three CDA components. Pass GC, RHS and ICE within five years to earn the CDA; they can be taken together or separately | Packet, p. 3 |
| Language | The 2026 packet offers RHS and ICE in Spanish; GC is not listed | Packet, p. 14 |
For the full application walk-through, see our DANB CDA exam requirements guide. For how GC fits with other credentials and state rules, see dental assistant certification.
A new pathway is coming. On September 23, 2026, DANB announced a new CDA pathway for graduates of DANB-approved dental assisting programs that aren't CODA-accredited but sit in schools accredited by a U.S. Department of Education–approved agency. DANB says it becomes officially available in early 2027; it isn't in the 2026 application, and DANB says it doesn't change the standard candidates must meet.
Passing GC doesn't decide what you may do at work. DANB says its exams and certification convey authority to perform duties only in states that recognize them (GC outline, p. 9). Check DANB's state requirements and your state dental board.
If you didn't pass GC last time
- Reapply when you're ready. There's no retake limit, but each attempt is a new application at the full fee, and your state may require more education after failed attempts (Handbook, p. 4).
- Think a scoring error happened? Hand scoring must be requested within 7 calendar days after results post (Handbook, p. 14).
- Change the method, not just the hours. If you prepared by memorizing a fixed question bank, switch to the loop above: explain each procedure from memory, then practice with questions you haven't seen.
- Start with Chairside Dentistry. At 50% of the exam, it's the largest lever. Then rebuild your two weakest material pairs and the emergency table.
- Recheck the outline before you retest. DANB reviews outlines annually and revises them after content validation studies (GC outline, p. 9).
Is your GC prep material current? A 60-second check
- Question count and parts. Today's GC is 95 questions in four domains. A source describing 120 questions in six parts, or saying GC has no eligibility requirements, predates the current outline.
- Score scale. DANB reports 100 to 900, with 400 to pass. A source using another scale is a red flag for everything else in it.
- Time. 75 minutes is GC alone, not the full CDA.
- Textbook edition. DANB allows earlier editions of its listed GC references if published within the past 7 years (GC outline, p. 7).
- Acronyms. DANB gives you its acronym list during the exam (GC outline, p. 8), so learn the concepts behind HVE, ZOE, IRM, MOD and the rest instead of memorizing the list.
- "Real exam questions." DANB exam content is confidential, and candidates agree not to disclose it (2026 CDA Application Packet, p. 8). A source selling recalled questions is a risk, not a shortcut.
Straight answers
How long should I study for GC? DANB says many test-takers studied at least 1–2 months (Prepare for Exams). The 4-week plan fits candidates who already work chairside or recently finished a program; stretch it to 6–8 weeks if many procedures are new to you.
Is GC harder than RHS or ICE? DANB doesn't publish a difficulty ranking by component, so there is no official basis for calling GC harder than RHS or ICE. GC does have its own eligibility requirements, while RHS and ICE do not; prepare from the GC outline rather than from a difficulty label.
What official study help does DANB offer? Start with the GC outline and reference list, DANB's downloadable study guide plans, and the free demo exam for the exam interface.
Preparing for all three CDA exams? Our DANB CDA exam prep page has an 8-week plan across GC, RHS and ICE. For more GC practice, the free DANB CDA practice test has a separate 48-question GC section; none of those questions are repeated here.
Sources
Last verified: October 26, 2026. We rechecked the consequential DANB exam facts and the source support for the practice items and emergency table against the linked materials on that date. Source verification is not professional clinical review.
Last implementation link check: October 26, 2026. Some cited pages were unavailable at that check and are marked where they are cited; the original citations are kept unchanged. Source verification does not equal clinical review.
DANB
- General Chairside Assisting exam page
- GC Exam Outline and References (effective July 1, 2022)
- 2026 CDA Application Packet
- 2026 Candidate Handbook
- Prepare for Exams and Study Guides
- DANB introduces new CDA certification pathway (September 23, 2026)
- 4 important details to know about DANB exams (Jan. 10, 2024) and Tips for taking the DANB exam (source link unavailable at implementation check)
- State requirements
Teaching sources are linked under each question and in the emergency table. Main ones: CDC (seizure, stroke, sealants), NIDDK, NHLBI, NIDCR, MedlinePlus, American Heart Association, American Family Physician, AAPD, AAP, ADA (curing lights; Code of Ethics), OSHA, StatPearls/NCBI Bookshelf, and peer-reviewed reviews on glass ionomer, osseointegration, composite depth of cure and pulp capping.
Related Castleport pages: DANB CDA exam prep · Free DANB CDA practice test · DANB CDA exam requirements · Dental assistant certification · How we check sources
Castleport Test Prep is an independent exam prep publisher. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). State dental boards decide which duties dental assistants may perform. Exam and credential names are used only to identify their subjects; trademarks belong to their respective owners. The practice questions on this page are original and unofficial, not DANB exam questions, and doing well on them does not predict your DANB result.