Dental Assistant DANB Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (11–20)

Question 1

The soft tissue inside the tooth that contains blood vessels and nerves is the:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Pulp. The pulp occupies the pulp chamber and root canals and supplies the tooth with nutrients and sensation through blood vessels and nerves.

Question 2

Which structure attaches the tooth to the alveolar bone and acts as a shock absorber?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Periodontal ligament. The periodontal ligament suspends the tooth in its socket, absorbs occlusal forces, and supplies proprioception. It connects cementum to alveolar bone.

Question 3

The small band of tissue that connects the lip to the gingiva near the midline is called the:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Frenum. A frenum (frenulum) is a fold of mucous membrane that limits movement, such as the labial frenum between lip and gingiva or the lingual frenum under the tongue.

Question 4

The ridges of firm tissue on the anterior portion of the hard palate are the:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Rugae. Palatine rugae are irregular ridges of masticatory mucosa just behind the maxillary anterior teeth that help direct food during chewing and swallowing.

Question 5

Which permanent molar most commonly has a fifth cusp known as the cusp of Carabelli?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Maxillary first molar. The cusp of Carabelli is a nonfunctional fifth cusp found on the mesiolingual surface of the maxillary first molar in many individuals.

Question 6

The term 'apical' refers to a direction toward the:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Tip of the root. Apical means toward the apex, or tip, of the root. The opposite direction, toward the chewing surface, is coronal or occlusal.

Question 7

Which bone forms the lower jaw and is the only movable bone of the skull?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Mandible. The mandible is the largest, strongest facial bone and the only one that moves, articulating with the temporal bone at the temporomandibular joint.

Question 8

The temporomandibular joint is formed by the mandibular condyle and which bone?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Temporal bone. The TMJ is formed where the condyle of the mandible meets the glenoid (mandibular) fossa of the temporal bone, with an articular disc between them.

Question 9

Which muscle of mastication is the primary muscle responsible for closing the jaw?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Masseter. The masseter is a powerful muscle of mastication that elevates the mandible to close the jaw. The buccinator and orbicularis oris are muscles of facial expression.

Question 10

Which is the largest of the major salivary glands, located near the ear?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Parotid gland. The parotid gland is the largest salivary gland and empties through Stensen duct opposite the maxillary second molar. It is the gland affected by mumps.

Dental Assistant DANB Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (11–20)

More Dental Assistant DANB practice questions

Free practice here. Timed mocks when you are ready.