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Dental Charting Practice Quiz - Ready to Test Your Skills?

Think you can master dental assistant charting? Challenge your dental charting practice now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Illustration of dental charting quiz promotion on a sky blue background.

Ready to sharpen your dental charting practice skills and boost your confidence as a dental assistant? This free Dental Charting Practice Quiz lets you master dental assistant charting and ace the hosa dental terminology practice test. You'll gain experience spotting charting symbols, understanding tooth notation, and reinforcing practice dental charting fundamentals. Whether you're prepping for clinical rotations or an exam, our dental assistant practice quiz delivers targeted challenges with instant feedback. Want more comprehensive prep? Try our RDA practice test and power up your skills right now!

Which numbering system uses two-digit codes for each tooth based on quadrant and position?
Universal Numbering System
Palmer Notation System
FDI World Dental Federation System
Black’s Classification
The FDI system assigns a two-digit code: the first digit for quadrant (1–4 permanent, 5–8 primary) and the second for tooth position (1–8). It is used internationally for clarity in charting. This avoids confusion between right and left. Reference
In the Universal Numbering System, what number is assigned to the maxillary right central incisor?
8
9
7
1
In the Universal system, permanent teeth are numbered 1–32. The maxillary right central incisor is tooth #8. Tooth #9 is its contralateral counterpart. Reference
What symbol is commonly used in dental charting to indicate a missing tooth?
Crossed out X through the tooth
Diagonal slash through the crown
Solid circle around the tooth
Dashed outline of the root
A diagonal slash through the tooth drawing indicates it’s missing. This is standard in most charting protocols. It differentiates from extractions still pending. Reference
Which abbreviation represents an amalgam restoration on the occlusal surface?
OA
AMO
O-A
O
In many charting systems, Occlusal Amalgam is abbreviated as O-A. 'O' denotes the occlusal surface and 'A' stands for amalgam. This shorthand is taught in dental assisting programs. Reference
In periodontal charting, what measurement indicates a healthy sulcus depth?
1–3 mm
4–5 mm
6–7 mm
0 mm
Normal periodontal sulcus depth ranges from 1 to 3 mm. Depths beyond 3 mm suggest pocket formation. Consistent measurement is required at six sites per tooth. Reference
What abbreviation is used to indicate a root canal treatment?
RCT
RCS
EXT
ENDO
RCT stands for Root Canal Treatment in charting and clinical notes. It’s the accepted abbreviation among dental professionals. ENDO may refer to endodontics broadly but not the procedure abbreviation. Reference
How is dental caries usually marked on a chart?
Blue shading
Red outline or dot
Green X
Yellow circle
Active caries are typically marked in red to highlight pathology. A red outline or dot indicates decay on surfaces. Restorations are shaded differently, often blue or black. Reference
Which abbreviation stands for extraction in dental charting?
EXT
EXO
EXTRACT
XT
EXT is the common shorthand for extraction in dental records. It quickly identifies a tooth removal procedure. Clear abbreviations improve chart readability. Reference
In the FDI system, what code represents the mandibular left first premolar?
34
35
24
25
In FDI, quadrant 3 is lower left permanent. The first premolar is position 5, so tooth 35. This system is symmetrical across quadrants. Reference
What letter identifies a primary maxillary right canine in the Palmer notation?
C
H
D
M
Primary canines are lettered A–E in each quadrant in Palmer notation. The maxillary right primary canine is 'C'. Letters advance from central incisor (A) to second molar (E). Reference
Which abbreviation denotes the buccal surface of a tooth?
L
B
O
M
In charting, 'B' stands for buccal, the cheek-side surface of posterior teeth. 'L' indicates lingual or palatal. Surfaces are abbreviated to streamline notation. Reference
What symbol is used to chart a completed root canal in many dental software systems?
Solid red line on root
Solid black line on root
Dashed blue line along canal
Cross-hatching of root
A solid black line drawn through the root canal indicates completion. This visually distinguishes treated canals from untreated. It follows common charting conventions. Reference
Which notation indicates a dental implant in a chart?
Yellow shading of socket
Blue circle around root area
Red X through crown
Green dot at apex
A blue circle at the implant site shows the fixture placement. This differentiates it from natural roots. Color coding helps team members interpret charting quickly. Reference
How is a Class II caries restoration commonly charted?
Shading proximal surface
Shading occlusal only
Shading facial surface
Outline only on root
Class II involves proximal surfaces of posterior teeth. Charting shows shading on the mesial or distal surface. It distinguishes from Class I which is occlusal only. Reference
What does furcation involvement Grade II signify on a molar?
Horizontal loss >3 mm
Complete communication
Mild bone loss
No furcation detected
Grade II furcation is a cul-de-sac with horizontal bone loss >3 mm but not through-and-through. Grade III is complete communication. Accurate charting guides treatment. Reference
Which symbol denotes a planned crown preparation?
Dashed outline around crown
Solid black shading of crown
Red dot at margin
Blue cross-hatch inside crown
A dashed outline around the tooth crown shows a proposed restoration like a crown. This indicates treatment is planned but not completed. It differs from solid shading of existing work. Reference
In charting, how is a vertical root fracture usually indicated?
Jagged red line along root length
Green circle around apex
Blue shading of crown
Dashed line across crown
A jagged red line along the root denotes a fracture extending vertically. This highlights urgency of management. Other fractures use different markings. Reference
What classification measures tooth mobility when movement exceeds 1 mm horizontally but no vertical displacement?
Class I
Class II
Class III
Class 0
Mobility Class II is movement >1 mm in a horizontal direction only. Class I is <1 mm and Class III includes vertical displacement. Accurate mobility recording affects periodontal prognosis. Reference
How is a 6 mm periodontal pocket marked in a chart?
Red number 6 at site
Blue triangle at site
Green shading around root
Dashed circle around tooth
Deep pockets ?5 mm are recorded in red to indicate severity. The number is placed at each probing site. This helps track periodontal disease progression. Reference
Which abbreviation indicates the palatal surface of a maxillary tooth?
B
P
L
M
On maxillary teeth, the lingual surface is often termed palatal and abbreviated 'P'. On mandibular arches it’s still 'L' for lingual. Accurate surfaces guide diagnosis and treatment. Reference
What does the code 'D1110' represent in dental charting?
Adult prophylaxis
Composite restoration
Extraction
Endodontic therapy
ADA code D1110 stands for adult prophylaxis (cleaning). Charting codes align clinical notes with insurance claims. This standardization ensures accurate billing. Reference
How is an open contact between teeth indicated in charting?
Solid X between teeth
Arrow pointing to gap
Dashed line connecting teeth
Red shading of interproximal
An arrow pointing to the contact area denotes an open contact needing correction. It differentiates from tight contacts. This symbol alerts clinicians during restoration. Reference
Which marking indicates a furcation involvement Grade III in charting protocols?
Filled triangle at furcation
Open triangle at furcation
Red circle around root
Diagonal slash through root
An open triangle at furcation indicates Grade III (through-and-through). A filled triangle is Grade II. Clear symbols help periodontal treatment planning. Reference
What symbol is used to denote ankylosed teeth in advanced charting?
Solid black triangle at apex
Dashed outline of crown
Red X over root
Blue shading of root
A solid black triangle at the apex signals ankylosis. It denotes fusion of tooth to bone with no periodontal ligament. Identification prevents failed orthodontic movement. Reference
In periodontal charting, what does a ‘Miller Class II’ gingival recession indicate?
Recession reaching mucogingival line without interdental loss
Recession beyond mucogingival line with interdental bone loss
Complete root coverage possible
No recession but papilla loss
Miller Class II recession extends to or beyond the mucogingival junction without interdental bone or soft tissue loss. Full root coverage is still achievable. Class III and IV have interdental loss. Reference
Which notation designates a sinus lift procedure in charting?
SL+ on maxillary posterior
Shaded triangle at apex
Red circle around sinus
Blue cross at root
SL+ next to maxillary molar indicates sinus lift augmentation. This shorthand is used in surgical planning notes. It guides implant placement decisions. Reference
What symbol indicates non-vital pulp testing with cold sensitivity?
Snowflake icon near tooth
Lightning bolt at crown
Thermometer icon
Red circle at apex
A snowflake symbol denotes cold pulp testing. It shows where sensitivity was assessed. Other symbols represent heat or electric pulp tests. Reference
How is primary tooth supernumerary presence charted in pediatric notation?
Letter S above chart
Star symbol at tooth
Red X through primary
Dashed circle around area
A star symbol marks supernumerary teeth, both primary and permanent. It alerts for potential crowding. Pediatric charts use distinct symbols for anomalies. Reference
What does a Periotest value greater than +9 indicate?
Normal healthy ligament
Increased mobility or implant failure risk
High bone density
No periodontal ligament present
Periotest values between +9 and +50 indicate high mobility or poor implant stability. Normal teeth and stable implants range between -8 and +9. This measurement aids prognosis.
Which chart symbol records palatal tori in the maxilla?
Cloud-like outline on palate
Star at midline
Dashed line under arch
Green circle at gingiva
A cloud-like outline on the palatal area depicts torus palatinus. It distinguishes exostoses from normal anatomy. This is important for appliance fabrication. Reference
How is concrescence of adjacent teeth indicated in dental charting?
Two roots circled together
Red line between roots
Blue shading of crowns
Dashed cross-hatch at CEJ
Concrescence is shown by encircling the roots of adjacent teeth to indicate union by cementum. It alerts clinicians to extraction complexity. Accurate symbol prevents surgical surprises. Reference
Which notation is used to document grafting of an extraction socket with autogenous bone?
GBR-autog on chart
XBG in socket
ABG+
Graft A
GBR-autog indicates guided bone regeneration using autogenous graft material. This notation is specific for surgical records. It distinguishes from allografts and xenografts. Reference
What symbol is used for a corrective alveoloplasty after extraction?
Slash and M over alveolar crest
Dashed U under jaw
Red arrow at crest
Blue triangle over bone
A slash with 'M' over the alveolar crest denotes alveoloplasty (marginal recontouring). It marks bone modification post-extraction. Surgeons review this for healing expectations. Reference
How is an apicoectomy recorded in a dental chart?
APT at root apex
APX with a circle at apex
Apex resection line
Red shading of apex
APX with a circle around the root apex denotes an apicoectomy procedure. It clarifies surgical endodontic treatment. This symbol is used in advanced charting protocols. Reference
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Study Outcomes

  1. Interpret Charting Symbols -

    After completing this dental charting practice quiz, you will accurately interpret common charting symbols and notations used in clinical dental records.

  2. Apply Assistant Charting Protocols -

    You'll be able to apply standardized dental assistant charting procedures to record periodontal, restorative, and prosthetic findings with confidence.

  3. Recall Dental Terminology -

    You'll reinforce your knowledge of HOSA dental terminology practice test items, enabling you to recall correct terms under exam and clinical conditions.

  4. Simulate Real-World Scenarios -

    This interactive quiz will help you simulate practice dental charting scenarios, preparing you for real patient assessments and clinical applications.

  5. Evaluate Your Proficiency -

    You can assess your mastery of dental charting practice concepts and identify areas for improvement to further refine your skills.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Understanding Tooth Numbering Systems -

    Master the Universal, Palmer, and FDI tooth numbering methods to ace your dental charting practice. For example, the Universal system labels the upper right third molar as #1 and the lower left third molar as #17. A simple mnemonic for FDI quadrants is "1-upper right, 2-upper left, 3-lower left, 4-lower right."

  2. Charting Restorations and Pathology -

    Learn the standard symbols for amalgam (solid black) and composite (outlined) restorations in your practice dental charting. Use a red "X" for extracted teeth and blue shading for active caries to maintain consistency. Consistent symbol use is critical for safety and clarity, as recommended by the American Dental Association.

  3. Recording Periodontal Measurements -

    Accurately chart probing depths, recession, and clinical attachment levels during dental assistant charting sessions. Use a color-coded periodontal probe (e.g., Michigan O) to quickly distinguish 1 - 3mm in black, 4 - 5mm in red, and ≥6mm in blue. The "PSR" (Periodontal Screening Record) code simplifies assessments: 0 (healthy) to 4 (severe).

  4. Key Dental Abbreviations and Terminology -

    Familiarize yourself with HOSA dental terminology practice test - style acronyms like CEJ (Cementoenamel Junction), PDL (Periodontal Ligament), and FMX (Full Mouth X-rays). Create flashcards pairing terms with definitions to streamline memorization. Official ADA and FDI glossaries are top-tier resources for accurate definitions.

  5. Legal and Ethical Documentation -

    Adopt the "If it's not charted, it's not done" mantra to ensure legally sound records during dental charting practice. Always date, time, and initial entries, and avoid ambiguous shorthand. The Dental Board of California's guidelines recommend consistent, legible notes to protect patient care and legal compliance.

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