100+ Free CRDTS Dental Practice Questions

Pass your CRDTS Dental Clinical Examination (Central Regional Dental Testing Service) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card✓ No hidden fees✓ Start practicing immediately

100+ Questions

100% Free

1 / 100

Question 1

Score: 0/0

Per the CRDTS Restorative section, which restoration types are within current scope?

Only Class V composite

Only Class I amalgam

Class II amalgam OR Class II composite, and Class III composite (per candidate choice within current manual rules)

Crown preparation on a live patient

to track

Same family resources

Explore More Dental Clinical Licensure Examinations (ADEX / CRDTS)

Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CRDTS Dental Exam

CRDTS Dental is a clinical licensure exam administered by an independent regional testing agency. Five Parts, $2,800 package, criterion-based scoring with a CRDTS-suggested 75 cut score, three examiners per procedure (two must confirm an error). Accepted by approximately 31 states. CRDTS remained independent of the 2025 ADEX/CDCA-WREB-CITA merger that formed ABDE.

Sample CRDTS Dental Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CRDTS Dental exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1The 2026 CRDTS Dental Examination is organized into five parts. Which of the following correctly lists the five parts in the published structure?

A.DCTP, Endodontic, Fixed Prosthodontic, Periodontal, Restorative

B.DCTP, Endodontic, Restorative, Fixed Prosthodontic, Removable Prosthodontic

C.OSCE, Restorative, Periodontal, Endodontic, Oral Surgery

D.Written, Restorative, Endodontic, Periodontal, Local Anesthesia

Explanation: Per the 2026 CRDTS Dental candidate documentation the exam has five parts: Part I Diagnosis and Comprehensive Treatment Planning (DCTP), Part II Endodontic (2 procedures), Part III Fixed Prosthodontic (4 procedures), Part IV Periodontal (1 procedure), and Part V Restorative (4 procedures). The full package fee is capped at $2,800 for all five parts.

2CRDTS scoring is criterion-based. CRDTS has informed state boards that what minimum score may represent acceptable demonstration of competence?

A.60

B.70

C.75

D.80

Explanation: CRDTS provides to state boards a recommended cut score of 75 (out of 100) as the level that may represent acceptable demonstration of competence. However, each state board retains authority to set its own licensure standard. Points are deducted from 100 for each scorable item confirmed as an error by at least two of three independent examiners.

3How many independent examiners evaluate each scorable item in a CRDTS clinical procedure, and how many must confirm an error before points are deducted?

A.Two examiners; one must confirm

B.Three examiners; two must confirm

C.Three examiners; all three must confirm

D.Four examiners; three must confirm

Explanation: CRDTS uses three independent examiners for each procedure. For every scorable criterion, points are deducted only when at least two of the three examiners independently confirm the error. The triple-blind structure reduces examiner bias and improves inter-rater reliability.

4Following the August 2025 ADEX/CDCA-WREB-CITA merger that formed the American Board of Dental Examiners (ABDE), what is the operational status of CRDTS in 2026?

A.CRDTS was absorbed into ABDE and no longer administers exams

B.CRDTS remained independent and continues to administer its own clinical examinations

C.CRDTS now administers the ADEX examination on behalf of ABDE

D.CRDTS converted to an all-written examination format

Explanation: CRDTS was not part of the CDCA-WREB-CITA/ADEX merger that created the American Board of Dental Examiners (ABDE). CRDTS continues to operate as an independent regional testing agency in 2026, administering its own Dental, Dental Hygiene, Local Anesthesia, Restorative Auxiliary, and Dental Therapy examinations. Approximately 31 states accept CRDTS examinations.

5Approximately how many U.S. state boards currently accept CRDTS examination results for initial dental licensure?

A.About 10

B.About 20

C.About 31

D.All 50

Explanation: Approximately 31 state boards currently accept CRDTS examinations, with 18 of those being CRDTS Member States such as Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Candidates must verify acceptance with the specific state licensing board because portability lists change.

6For 2026, what is the published CRDTS Dental Examination fee for the complete package (Parts I-V) when applied for as a single bundle?

A.$1,200

B.$1,800

C.$2,800

D.$3,500

Explanation: The 2026 CRDTS Dental Examination package fee is $2,800 for all five parts (Part I at $400 and Parts II-V at $700 each, capped at $2,800). Site fees, rental fees, and supplies are charged separately by the exam site. One on-site procedure retake is included; additional retakes cost $225 per procedure.

7Which infection control guideline is the foundational federal standard that CRDTS infection control questions reference for dental settings?

A.OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030 only

B.CDC 'Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, 2003' (with 2016 Summary update)

C.AAP 2017 Periodontal Classification

D.ADA Caries Risk Assessment 2009

Explanation: The foundational dental infection-prevention reference is the CDC 2003 'Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings,' updated by CDC's 2016 'Summary of Infection Prevention Practices in Dental Settings.' The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) publishes operational checklists derived from this CDC guidance. OSHA standards apply to bloodborne pathogens but do not by themselves constitute the dental infection control framework.

8Per the CDC 2003 guidelines, what minimum standard precaution applies to every patient regardless of known disease status?

A.Treat blood, saliva, and all body fluids as potentially infectious

B.Use double gloves only for HIV-positive patients

C.Sterilize hand instruments only after high-risk procedures

D.Wear an N95 only when a confirmed TB patient presents

Explanation: Standard Precautions assume that all blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions (except sweat), non-intact skin, and mucous membranes may contain transmissible infectious agents. They apply to every patient in every encounter. Identification of patient infection status does not change Standard Precautions; targeted Transmission-Based Precautions are added when a specific pathogen requires it.

9How are dental instruments classified per Spaulding's criteria, and what is the correct reprocessing for a periodontal scaler?

A.Non-critical, high-level disinfection

B.Semi-critical, high-level disinfection

C.Critical, heat sterilization

D.Critical, chemical sterilization only

Explanation: Spaulding classifies instruments as critical (penetrate soft tissue or contact bone, bloodstream, or other normally sterile tissue), semi-critical (contact mucous membranes or non-intact skin), or non-critical (contact intact skin only). Periodontal scalers penetrate sulcular tissue and are therefore critical; they must be heat-sterilized (steam autoclave, dry heat, or unsaturated chemical vapor) and packaged/monitored with biological indicators.

10Per CDC dental guidance, how frequently should a biological indicator (spore test) be used to monitor each sterilizer?

A.Daily

B.At least weekly

C.Monthly

D.Annually

Explanation: CDC recommends biological (spore) monitoring of each sterilizer at least weekly using indicators specific to the cycle (Geobacillus stearothermophilus for steam, Bacillus atrophaeus for dry heat and chemical vapor). Mechanical and chemical indicators are checked every load; biological indicators provide the definitive verification that the sterilization process killed the most resistant test organism.

About the CRDTS Dental Exam

The CRDTS Dental Clinical Examination is a clinical/practical licensure exam used in approximately 31 US states, with 18 CRDTS Member States. It is organized into five Parts: Part I DCTP (Diagnosis and Comprehensive Treatment Planning, computer-based), Part II Endodontic (2 typodont procedures), Part III Fixed Prosthodontic (4 typodont procedures), Part IV Periodontal (1 live-patient procedure), and Part V Restorative (4 typodont procedures). Our 100-question practice bank focuses on the knowledge underlying the practical performance: infection control, instrumentation, scoring criteria, procedure steps, materials science, treatment planning, ethics, jurisprudence, and the published CRDTS rules.

Questions

11 scored questions

Time Limit

Multi-day exam event scheduled by site; chair-side procedures and DCTP per candidate manual time allotments. Retakes have a 5-hour combined time limit.

Passing Score

Criterion-based. CRDTS communicates a recommended score of 75 (out of 100) to state boards as representing acceptable demonstration of competence; each state board sets its own standard.

Exam Fee

$2,800 complete package; Part I $400, Parts II-V $700 each (capped at $2,800). One on-site retake included; additional retakes $225 per procedure. (Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS) - an independent regional testing agency separate from the 2025 ADEX/CDCA-WREB-CITA merger that formed the American Board of Dental Examiners (ABDE).)

CRDTS Dental Exam Content Outline

Part I

DCTP (Diagnosis and Comprehensive Treatment Planning)

Computer-based OSCE-style assessment of diagnosis, differential, treatment planning, radiographic interpretation, and case-based reasoning. $400 individual-part fee.

Part II

Endodontic (2 typodont procedures)

Access cavity, canal location and instrumentation, working length verification (0.5-1.0 mm short of radiographic apex), and obturation graded for length, density, and apical seal.

Part III

Fixed Prosthodontic (4 typodont procedures)

Crown and bridge-related preparations including full-coverage crown; scoring includes margin design (e.g., heavy chamfer/rounded shoulder for ceramic), reduction adequacy, taper (6-10 degrees TOC target), and bridge factor.

Part IV

Periodontal (live patient, 1 procedure)

Live-patient subgingival calculus removal in an assigned qualifying quadrant. Scoring covers remaining deposit, tissue trauma (lacerations >=3 mm are critical), root damage, and critical errors.

Part V

Restorative (4 typodont procedures)

Class II amalgam or composite and Class III composite preparations and restorations per the current candidate manual. Adhesive protocol, matrix selection (sectional with separating ring), and finish/polish technique are key.

Cross-cutting

Infection Control, Ethics, and Jurisprudence

CDC 2003 (2016 update) infection prevention, OSAP operational checklists, OSHA bloodborne pathogens, sterilization monitoring (weekly BI), dental unit water (<=500 CFU/mL), ADA Principles of Ethics, HIPAA, AAP 2017 periodontal classification, AAE periapical diagnoses.

How to Pass the CRDTS Dental Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Criterion-based. CRDTS communicates a recommended score of 75 (out of 100) to state boards as representing acceptable demonstration of competence; each state board sets its own standard.
Exam length: 11 questions
Time limit: Multi-day exam event scheduled by site; chair-side procedures and DCTP per candidate manual time allotments. Retakes have a 5-hour combined time limit.
Exam fee: $2,800 complete package; Part I $400, Parts II-V $700 each (capped at $2,800). One on-site retake included; additional retakes $225 per procedure.

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CRDTS Dental Study Tips from Top Performers

1Read the 2026 candidate manuals for every Part (Endodontic, Fixed Prosthodontic, Periodontal, Restorative, DCTP) and the published score sheets - CRDTS publishes its grading criteria in advance.

2Practice on the same typodont/manikin system used at the exam site with realistic time constraints; familiarity with armamentarium reduces error rates.

3Master the CRDTS Periodontal patient acceptability criteria and screen multiple potential patients in advance; failure to qualify the patient forfeits the procedure.

4Drill working-length determination (0.5-1.0 mm short of radiographic apex), irrigation protocol (NaOCl 1-6%, EDTA 17%), and obturation quality endpoints for the Endodontic section.

5Review AAP 2017 periodontal classification (Stage I-IV, Grade A-C), Spaulding instrument classification, CDC 2003 infection control (2016 update), and OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030.

6Practice Class II amalgam and composite preparation with sectional matrix/separating ring; rehearse Class III composite with total-etch and incremental placement (<=2 mm increments).

7For Fixed Prosthodontic, drill TOC (6-10 degrees target), heavy chamfer/rounded shoulder finish line for ceramic, and biologic width (supracrestal tissue attachment ~2.04 mm).

8Review AAE pulpal and periapical diagnoses, the 2021 AHA antibiotic prophylaxis guidance (clindamycin removed), and dental medical-emergency protocols (syncope, chest pain, hypoglycemia).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the CRDTS Dental Examination a written or practical exam?

Primarily a clinical/practical exam delivered chair-side on typodont/manikin and one live-patient periodontal procedure. Part I DCTP is computer-based and assesses diagnostic and treatment-planning reasoning. Our practice bank covers the knowledge underlying the practical performance.

Which states accept the CRDTS Dental Examination in 2026?

Approximately 31 US states accept CRDTS, with 18 CRDTS Member States (Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and others). Several large states (FL, NY, NC, NV, NJ) do not accept CRDTS. Always verify current acceptance with the specific state board.

Did CRDTS get absorbed into the new ABDE after the CDCA-WREB-CITA/ADEX merger?

No. The August 2025 merger of CDCA-WREB-CITA and ADEX created the American Board of Dental Examiners (ABDE), but CRDTS was not part of that merger. CRDTS continues to operate as an independent regional testing agency in 2026.

How is the CRDTS Dental Examination scored?

Criterion-based scoring out of 100 points. Three independent calibrated examiners grade each procedure; an error must be confirmed by at least two of the three to be scored. CRDTS provides to state boards that a score of 75 may represent acceptable demonstration of competence; each state board sets its own standard.

What does the CRDTS Dental Examination cost in 2026?

$2,800 for the complete five-Part package (Part I $400; Parts II-V $700 each, capped at $2,800). One on-site complimentary retake is included; additional retakes are $225 per procedure. Site fees and consumables are billed separately by the testing site.

What is the difference between the CRDTS Dental and Dental Hygiene retake policies?

Dental candidates retake only the failed procedures within a Part (with a 5-hour combined time limit for retakes). Dental Hygiene candidates must retake all portions of the failed examination, not just the deficient procedures.

Does CRDTS grant a dental license?

No. CRDTS is a testing agency, not a licensure or regulatory board. CRDTS reports results to the candidate (typically by 8 pm the day of the exam) and to designated state boards; the state board grants licensure based on CRDTS results plus its own statutory requirements.

What is the format of the Periodontal section?

Part IV Periodontal is a live-patient procedure: subgingival calculus removal from an assigned qualifying quadrant. The candidate is responsible for patient screening (calculus quantity/distribution, medical screening, consent). Critical errors include lacerations >=3 mm, damage to >=3 areas of tissue, and unreported broken instrument tips.