VTNE Dentistry Practice Questions
Dentistry makes up 3 of every 50 questions on a Tigertest VTNE practice test. Here are 10 of the 12 questions on it, each with the answer and the reason.
Updated by the Tigertest team. Based on the AAVSB VTNE content outline approved March 2023. The real exam passes on a scaled score of 425; 70% here is a practice target.
1. How many permanent teeth does an adult dog have?
- A.44
- B.42
- C.30
- D.28
Answer: B. The canine dental formula 2 x (I 3/3, C 1/1, P 4/4, M 2/3) gives 42 teeth. Puppies have 28 deciduous teeth, and adult cats have 30.
2. How many permanent teeth does an adult cat have?
- A.26
- B.32
- C.42
- D.30
Answer: D. The feline formula 2 x (I 3/3, C 1/1, P 3/2, M 1/1) gives 30 teeth. Kittens have 26 deciduous teeth and dogs have 42 permanent teeth.
3. In the modified Triadan system, which quadrant is numbered in the 400s?
- A.Right mandibular (lower right)
- B.Left mandibular (lower left)
- C.Right maxillary (upper right)
- D.Left maxillary (upper left)
Answer: A. Permanent quadrants run 100 upper right, 200 upper left, 300 lower left and 400 lower right, with deciduous teeth in the 500 to 800 series. Within each quadrant the canine is always 04 and the first molar 09.
4. The left maxillary canine tooth of a dog is tooth number:
- A.304
- B.203
- C.204
- D.104
Answer: C. The left maxillary quadrant is the 200 series and the canine is always position 04. Tooth 104 is the right maxillary canine and 304 the left mandibular canine.
5. In a cat, tooth 309 is the:
- A.Right mandibular first molar
- B.Left mandibular third premolar
- C.Left mandibular first molar
- D.Left maxillary fourth premolar
Answer: C. The first molar is always 09, and the 300 series is the left mandible. Cats lack teeth 305 and 306, so the mandibular premolars are 307 and 308 and the carnassial is 309.
6. The maxillary carnassial tooth of the dog is the:
- A.Fourth premolar (108 or 208)
- B.Third premolar (107 or 207)
- C.Canine tooth (104 or 204)
- D.First molar (109 or 209)
Answer: A. The upper carnassial is the fourth premolar and the lower carnassial is the first molar (309 or 409). Slab fractures of 108 and 208 are a common finding in dogs that chew hard objects.
7. Periodontal disease with more than 50% attachment loss is classified as:
- A.Stage 3
- B.Stage 1
- C.Stage 2
- D.Stage 4
Answer: D. Stage 1 is gingivitis with no attachment loss, stage 2 is less than 25% loss, stage 3 is 25 to 50% and stage 4 is more than 50%. Attachment loss is judged by probing depth, recession and dental radiographs.
8. When using an ultrasonic scaler, which technique prevents heat damage to the tooth?
- A.Hold the tip on each tooth for 30 seconds
- B.Keep the tip moving with light pressure
- C.Use the point of the tip on calculus
- D.Turn the water spray off for visibility
Answer: B. The side of a water-cooled tip is swept across the tooth in light strokes and is not left on one tooth for more than a few seconds, or the pulp overheats. Pointing the tip at the enamel gouges it.
9. The parallel technique for intraoral dental radiographs is usually possible only for the:
- A.Mandibular canines and incisors
- B.Mandibular premolars and molars
- C.Maxillary premolars and molars
- D.Maxillary canines and incisors
Answer: B. Only the caudal mandible lets the sensor sit flat and parallel to the tooth roots. Everywhere else the palate or symphysis is in the way, so the bisecting angle technique is used.
10. Why should human toothpaste not be used on pets?
- A.It is too abrasive for enamel
- B.It tastes unpleasant to animals
- C.It foams too much to rinse away
- D.It may contain fluoride or xylitol
Answer: D. Pets swallow toothpaste rather than spitting, and fluoride and the sweetener xylitol are toxic when swallowed. Enzymatic veterinary pastes are safe to swallow, and daily brushing is the most effective home care.
Practice all 12 dentistry questions, and the rest of the 200-question bank, in the free VTNE training sets. Questions you miss come back until you have mastered them.
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