100+ Free DSTC Practice Questions
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Cow horn forceps (#16/#23) are designed primarily to extract which teeth?
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Key Facts: DSTC Exam
130
Total Questions
AMCA DSTC Study Guide
2 hr 45 min
Exam Time
AMCA
70%
Passing Score
AMCA DSTC Study Guide
16%
Pharmacology + Medical Terminology
Largest blueprint domains
$119
Exam Fee
AMCA 2026
2 years
Recertification Cycle
10 CE credits required
The AMCA DSTC contains 130 multiple-choice questions over 2 hours and 45 minutes with a 70% passing score. Pharmacology and Medical Terminology are the largest blueprint domains at 16% each, followed by Chairside Assisting (15%). The $119 exam fee is among the most affordable national dental assistant credentials. Eligibility requires a high school diploma plus completion of an approved dental support training program.
Sample DSTC Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your DSTC exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Which structure of a tooth is the hardest, most mineralized substance in the human body?
2How many permanent teeth does a typical adult have, and how many primary (deciduous) teeth does a typical child have?
3In the Universal Numbering System used in the United States, which tooth is #8?
4Which surface of a posterior tooth is the chewing surface used for grinding food?
5Which salivary gland is the largest and is located in front of and below each ear?
6The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the articulation between the mandible and which bone of the skull?
7Which cranial nerve provides sensory innervation to the teeth, gingiva, and most of the face?
8What is the normal adult resting pulse range that a dental assistant should expect when taking a patient's vital signs?
9Which of the following best describes the function of leukocytes (white blood cells) in the human body?
10Which type of tooth is designed primarily for tearing food and is the longest tooth in the human dentition?
About the DSTC Exam
The DSTC (Dental Support Technician Certification) is offered by the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA) and validates entry-level clinical and administrative competencies for dental support technicians. The exam contains 130 multiple-choice questions administered over 2 hours and 45 minutes at AMCA-approved test sites or via Live Remote Proctoring. The official blueprint covers 10 domains: Anatomy and Physiology (10%), Patient Care/Administrative (5%), Medical Law and Ethics (8%), OSHA/Infection Control (7%), Chairside Assisting (15%), Pharmacology (16%), Medical Terminology (16%), Radiology (10%), Dental Medical Lab Procedures (9%), and Process and Procedure (4%). The passing score is 70%. Certification is valid for 2 years with 10 CE credits required for renewal.
Questions
130 scored questions
Time Limit
2 hours 45 minutes
Passing Score
70%
Exam Fee
$119 (may be waived through participating training programs) (American Medical Certification Association (AMCA))
DSTC Exam Content Outline
Pharmacology
Common dental medications (antibiotics like amoxicillin, analgesics including NSAIDs and opioids, local anesthetics such as lidocaine, anti-anxiety benzodiazepines, topical anesthetics like benzocaine), routes of administration, prescription abbreviations (b.i.d., t.i.d., p.r.n.), and dental side effects of systemic drugs (xerostomia, gingival hyperplasia, increased bleeding risk)
Medical Terminology
Essential terms (abscess, edema, hypertension, biopsy, benign/malignant), prefixes (dys-, peri-), suffixes (-itis, -ectomy, -pathy, -plasty, -ology), root words (cardi/o, hemat/o, my/o, oste/o, rhin/o, stasis), and prescription abbreviations
Chairside Assisting
Tool identification (mirror, explorer, periodontal probe, scalers, curettes, burnishers, carvers, forceps, handpieces), grasps (pen, palm, palm-thumb), instrument transfer (one-handed, two-handed, mirror-and-explorer), four-handed dentistry, and patient preparation
Anatomy and Physiology
Head and neck (TMJ, muscles of mastication, salivary glands), tooth anatomy (enamel, dentin, cementum, pulp), dentitions (32 permanent, 20 primary), cranial nerves (especially trigeminal V), vital signs, blood components, and basic body systems
Radiology
ALARA principle, radiation safety (lead apron, thyroid collar), film types (bitewing for interproximal caries, periapical for root anatomy, panoramic for arch overview, occlusal, CBCT for 3D planning), radiolucent vs. radiopaque, primary vs. secondary radiation
Dental Medical Lab Procedures
Restorative materials (amalgam composition, trituration, composite resin, glass ionomer, cavity liners), impression materials (alginate), dental stone and plaster casts, vacuum-formed whitening trays, articulators, face bows, and prosthodontic wax techniques
Medical Law and Ethics
HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules (PHI, minimum necessary), Patient Bill of Rights, informed consent elements, slander and libel, due care and standards, and ethical principles (autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, veracity, justice)
OSHA/Infection Control
Standard Precautions, OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, hepatitis B vaccination requirement, needlestick response, sharps disposal in puncture-resistant containers, PPE selection for aerosol-generating procedures, autoclave sterilization (saturated steam at 121°C/250°F), and Spaulding classification
Patient Care/Administrative
Dental charting (Universal Numbering System 1–32, primary A–T, Palmer notation), CDT (ADA) procedure code categories (D0xxx Diagnostic, D1xxx Preventive, D2xxx Restorative, D3xxx Endodontic), insurance plan types (HMO, PPO, fee-for-service), Medicaid/Medicare basics, and patient communication
Process and Procedure
Plaque vs. calculus formation and prevention, fluoride therapy (topical varnish, gels), pit-and-fissure sealants, coronal polishing, toothbrushing techniques (Modified Bass for adults, Charters for orthodontics, Fones for children), and basic medical emergency recognition (syncope, MI, allergic reaction)
How to Pass the DSTC Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 70%
- Exam length: 130 questions
- Time limit: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Exam fee: $119 (may be waived through participating training programs)
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
DSTC Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AMCA DSTC exam?
The DSTC (Dental Support Technician Certification) is an entry-level credential offered by the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA). It validates clinical and administrative competencies for dental support technicians who perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist, including equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, chairside assisting, and providing oral health instructions.
How many questions are on the DSTC exam?
The DSTC exam contains 130 multiple-choice questions, administered over 2 hours and 45 minutes at AMCA-approved test sites or via Live Remote Proctoring through ProctorU.
What is the passing score for the DSTC exam?
The DSTC passing score is 70%. Candidates must answer at least 70% of the questions correctly to earn the certification.
What are the eligibility requirements for the DSTC exam?
To sit for the DSTC, candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent and complete an approved dental support training program that covers the published exam topics (anatomy, infection control, chairside assisting, pharmacology, medical terminology, radiology, dental materials, law and ethics, patient care). All candidates must agree to the AMCA Code of Ethics.
What does the DSTC exam cover?
The official AMCA DSTC blueprint covers 10 domains: Pharmacology (16%), Medical Terminology (16%), Chairside Assisting (15%), Anatomy and Physiology (10%), Radiology (10%), Dental Medical Lab Procedures (9%), Medical Law and Ethics (8%), OSHA/Infection Control (7%), Patient Care/Administrative (5%), and Process and Procedure (4%).
How much does the DSTC exam cost?
The DSTC exam fee is $119. The fee may be waived for candidates who complete a participating AMCA-approved training program. Recertification renewal is $15 per certification (after earning 10 CE credits) every two years.
How long is DSTC certification valid and how do I renew it?
DSTC certification is valid for 2 years. To renew, credential holders must earn 10 continuing education (CE) credits and pay the $15 renewal fee per certification. AMCA offers Career Advancement CE packages worth 10 CEUs that can be completed online, and outside-credit pathways are also accepted.