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Exam Review

Key Facts: DANB RHS Exam

75

Total Questions

DANB RHS outline

60 min

Exam Time

DANB RHS outline

50/25/25

Domain Weights

DANB RHS outline (2025)

Digital only

Imaging Scope

DANB RHS outline

$270 / $265

Exam Fee

DANB RHS 2026 application packet

381,900

Dental Assistant Jobs (2024)

BLS OOH

DANB's RHS outline (effective March 2025) lists 75 questions in 60 minutes: Purpose and Technique (50%), Radiation Characteristics/Protection (25%), and Infection Prevention/Control (25%). RHS is digital-radiography only since July 2022. Exam fee is $270 ($265 active military).

Sample DANB RHS Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the DANB RHS exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 97+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1On a bitewing radiograph, the proximal contacts of adjacent teeth overlap. Which error in technique is the MOST likely cause?
A.Incorrect horizontal angulation of the central ray
B.Excessive vertical angulation of the PID
C.Underexposure of the receptor
D.Reversed placement of the receptor in the mouth
Explanation: Overlapped contacts result from incorrect horizontal angulation, so the central ray does not pass directly through the interproximal spaces. The fix is to redirect the beam through the contact areas.
2A periapical image shows teeth that appear longer than the actual teeth (elongation). What adjustment corrects this?
A.Increase the vertical angulation of the PID
B.Decrease the vertical angulation of the PID
C.Increase the milliamperage
D.Move the receptor closer to the tooth
Explanation: Elongation is caused by insufficient (too little) vertical angulation. Increasing vertical angulation shortens the projected image to match the true tooth length.
3A periapical image shows teeth that appear shorter than the actual teeth (foreshortening). What is the cause?
A.Excessive vertical angulation of the PID
B.Insufficient vertical angulation of the PID
C.Incorrect horizontal angulation
D.Too long an exposure time
Explanation: Foreshortening (a too-short image) results from excessive vertical angulation. Reducing the vertical angulation corrects it.
4A clear, unexposed curved area appears at the edge of an intraoral image. This 'cone cut' is corrected by:
A.Re-centering the PID so the beam fully covers the receptor
B.Increasing the exposure time
C.Using a larger receptor
D.Decreasing the vertical angulation
Explanation: A cone cut is the clear area where the round beam did not cover the rectangular receptor. Aligning/centering the PID over the receptor and beam-alignment ring eliminates it.
5Which intraoral technique places the receptor parallel to the long axis of the tooth and directs the central ray perpendicular to both, producing the most dimensionally accurate image?
A.Paralleling technique
B.Bisecting-angle technique
C.Occlusal technique
D.Localization (SLOB) technique
Explanation: The paralleling technique keeps the receptor parallel to the long axis of the tooth with the central ray perpendicular, minimizing dimensional distortion. It is the preferred intraoral technique.
6The SLOB rule (Same Lingual, Opposite Buccal) is used to:
A.Determine the buccal or lingual position of an object using two images taken at different angles
B.Set the correct exposure time for a patient's size
C.Decide between a panoramic and a full-mouth series
D.Confirm the receptor is not placed backward
Explanation: SLOB (Same Lingual, Opposite Buccal) is a tube-shift localization rule: if the object moves the same direction as the tube head it is lingual; if it moves opposite, it is buccal.
7Which radiographic series is the standard choice to detect interproximal (between-the-teeth) caries in posterior teeth?
A.Bitewing radiographs
B.Periapical radiographs
C.Panoramic radiograph
D.Cephalometric radiograph
Explanation: Bitewing radiographs show the crowns and interproximal areas of both arches and are the standard view for detecting interproximal caries and evaluating crestal bone.
8According to FDA/ADA selection criteria, radiographs should be prescribed:
A.Based on the individual patient's clinical needs after an examination
B.On a fixed routine schedule for every patient regardless of findings
C.Only when the patient specifically requests them
D.At every recall visit to maintain a complete record
Explanation: Selection criteria require that radiographs be ordered based on the individual patient's history and clinical examination, not on a predetermined routine, to keep exposure justified.
9The embossed (raised) dot on an intraoral receptor should be positioned:
A.Toward the occlusal or incisal surface and facing the X-ray source
B.Toward the apex of the tooth
C.Facing away from the X-ray source against the tongue
D.In any orientation because it does not affect the image
Explanation: The raised dot is placed toward the occlusal/incisal edge and faces the beam so it does not obscure apical anatomy and so the image can be correctly mounted (dot convex = facing operator).
10An intraoral image is light and shows a faint herringbone or 'tire-track' pattern. The MOST likely cause is:
A.The receptor was placed backward, with the back facing the beam
B.The exposure time was too long
C.The kVp was set too high
D.The patient moved during exposure
Explanation: A reversed receptor places the lead foil (film) or sensor backing toward the beam, attenuating the X-rays and imprinting the embossed/foil pattern, producing a light image with a herringbone effect.

About the DANB RHS Exam

The DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam is a national dental-radiography component exam used in DANB certification pathways and recognized by many state dental boards.

Exam sponsor: DANB / Pearson VUE. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

75 questions

Time Limit

60 minutes

Passing Score

Pass/Fail (DANB criterion standard)

Exam / Certification Fees

$270 traditional / $265 active military

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: 66%. overall (DANB 2024, 13,726 exams) This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

50%

Purpose and Technique

Image purpose and selection, positioning, receptor/beam alignment, digital quality standards, and error correction

25%

Radiation Characteristics and Protection

X-ray production factors, biology/measurement units, ALARA, shielding/collimation, and exposure reduction

25%

Infection Prevention and Control

CDC/OSHA-aligned standard precautions, PPE workflow, barrier use, and radiography operatory disinfection

Preparing for the DANB RHS Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Pass/Fail (DANB criterion standard)
  • Exam length: 75 questions
  • Time limit: 60 minutes
  • Exam / certification fees: $270 traditional / $265 active military Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 97 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

DANB RHS: Suggested Study Strategy

1Prioritize Purpose/Technique first since it is half of the exam blueprint
2Practice retake-reduction logic: receptor placement, angulation, beam alignment, and patient stabilization
3Memorize ALARA applications and when shielding/collimation/position-distance controls are used
4Use digital-image troubleshooting drills (overlap, cone cuts, foreshortening, elongation, motion artifact)
5Run timed 25-question blocks to build 60-minute pacing confidence

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the DANB RHS exam?

DANB's RHS exam outline lists 75 multiple-choice questions with a 60-minute testing window.

What domains are tested on DANB RHS?

DANB lists 3 weighted domains: Purpose and Technique (50%), Radiation Characteristics and Protection (25%), and Infection Prevention and Control (25%).

Is DANB RHS still testing film radiography?

No. DANB states RHS has tested digital radiography only since July 7, 2022; film-based concepts are no longer tested.

Can I take DANB RHS online?

Yes. DANB indicates RHS can be taken in person through Pearson VUE and is also available through remote online proctoring.

How much is the DANB RHS exam fee in 2026?

The 2026 RHS application packet lists $270 for traditional applicants and $265 for active military personnel.

Do I need prerequisites to sit for RHS?

DANB's RHS exam outline states there are no eligibility requirements to take the RHS exam.