100+ Free Japan Dental National Exam Practice Questions

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Question 1

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A primary molar is lost prematurely before eruption of its permanent successor. What is the usual purpose of a space maintainer?

To whiten adjacent permanent teeth

To treat irreversible pulpitis in the successor tooth

To preserve arch length for the successor tooth

To accelerate root resorption of all primary teeth

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Japan Dental National Exam Exam

360

Released 119th numbered items across A-D question books

MHLW 119th answer table

9 hours

Total scheduled testing time in four 135-minute sessions

MHLW 119th candidate instructions

JPY 18,900

119th examination fee

MHLW implementation notice

61.9%

119th overall pass rate

MHLW pass announcement PDF

Reiwa 5

Current blueprint cycle before Reiwa 9 adoption from the 120th exam

MHLW Reiwa 5 and Reiwa 9 standards

The MHLW Japan Dental National Exam is a two-day paper-based licensure examination. For the 119th exam, MHLW released 360 numbered items across A-D question books, scheduled four 135-minute sessions, charged JPY 18,900, and announced a 61.9% overall pass rate. The current blueprint uses Reiwa 5 standards: essential basic items about 22%, general dental medicine about 28%, and specific dental medicine about 50%. Reiwa 9 standards are published but MHLW states they apply from the 120th exam in 2027.

Sample Japan Dental National Exam Practice Questions

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

1Which dental hard tissue is normally the most highly mineralized?

A.Enamel

B.Dentin

C.Cementum

D.Alveolar bone

Explanation: Enamel is the most highly mineralized tissue in the tooth and contains mostly hydroxyapatite by weight. Its high mineral content explains its hardness but also why it cannot repair itself once the enamel matrix has been lost.

2Which permanent tooth usually erupts first and is especially important for establishing the dental arch?

A.Maxillary central incisor

B.Permanent first molar

C.Permanent canine

D.Permanent second premolar

Explanation: The permanent first molar commonly erupts around age 6 and does not replace a primary tooth. It is important for occlusal development, arch length, and caries prevention because it erupts early while the child is still developing brushing skills.

3Sensory innervation to most mandibular teeth is carried primarily by which nerve?

A.Infraorbital nerve

B.Inferior alveolar nerve

C.Greater palatine nerve

D.Facial nerve

Explanation: The inferior alveolar nerve, a branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve, supplies sensory innervation to mandibular teeth. This is why an inferior alveolar nerve block is used for many mandibular restorative and surgical procedures.

4Which organism is classically associated with initiation of enamel caries because it adheres to tooth surfaces and produces acid from fermentable carbohydrate?

A.Streptococcus mutans

B.Porphyromonas gingivalis

C.Candida albicans

D.Actinomyces israelii

Explanation: Streptococcus mutans is strongly associated with caries initiation because it adheres to enamel, produces extracellular polysaccharide, and generates acid in dental biofilm. Caries risk still depends on the whole biofilm, diet, host factors, saliva, and fluoride exposure.

5What is the main anticaries effect of topical fluoride?

A.It makes plaque impossible to form.

B.It promotes remineralization and makes enamel more resistant to acid dissolution.

C.It eliminates all oral bacteria for several months.

D.It replaces the need for mechanical plaque control.

Explanation: Topical fluoride supports remineralization and forms a more acid-resistant mineral phase at the tooth surface. It also can inhibit bacterial metabolism at sufficient local concentration, but it does not replace brushing, diet control, or risk-based recall.

6Which finding is most consistent with simple plaque-induced gingivitis rather than periodontitis?

A.Bleeding on probing without clinical attachment loss

B.Grade III furcation involvement

C.Generalized vertical bone defects

D.Tooth mobility caused by attachment loss

Explanation: Gingivitis is inflammation of gingival tissues without loss of periodontal attachment. Bleeding on probing can occur, but the key distinction from periodontitis is the absence of clinical attachment loss and supporting bone destruction.

7Which periodontal instrument is used to measure pocket depth and bleeding on probing?

A.Periodontal probe

B.High-speed handpiece

C.Rubber dam clamp

D.Articulating paper

Explanation: A periodontal probe is calibrated to measure sulcus or pocket depth, clinical attachment level, recession, and bleeding response. These measurements are essential for diagnosis, staging, and monitoring periodontal therapy.

8During root canal treatment, what is the main purpose of sodium hypochlorite irrigation?

A.To bond gutta-percha to dentin

B.To dissolve organic tissue and disinfect the canal system

C.To permanently widen the apical foramen

D.To measure working length electronically

Explanation: Sodium hypochlorite is used because it dissolves organic tissue and has broad antimicrobial activity. Mechanical shaping alone cannot clean fins, isthmuses, and irregularities in the root canal system.

9What is the primary purpose of a rubber dam during endodontic treatment?

A.To increase occlusal vertical dimension

B.To isolate the tooth and prevent salivary contamination or instrument aspiration

C.To replace radiographic working length determination

D.To disinfect the root canal by itself

Explanation: Rubber dam isolation protects the patient from irrigants and small instruments while reducing salivary contamination of the canal. It is a basic safety and infection-control measure for endodontic care.

10Which step is most directly responsible for polymerizing a light-cured resin composite restoration?

A.Applying articulating paper

B.Using a curing light with adequate output and exposure time

C.Rinsing with saline only

D.Placing calcium hydroxide over the occlusal surface

Explanation: Light-cured composites polymerize when photoinitiators are activated by visible light of appropriate wavelength and intensity. Inadequate curing can reduce strength, increase wear, and leave residual monomer.

About the Japan Dental National Exam Exam

Japan's National Dental Practitioners Examination is the MHLW-administered licensure examination for dentists. The 119th examination was held over two days on January 31 and February 1, 2026, and tested clinically necessary dental medicine and oral hygiene knowledge and skills. Current preparation should follow the Reiwa 5 MHLW examination standards until the Reiwa 9 standards begin with the 120th examination in 2027.

Assessment

Paper-based A, B, C, and D question books with separate image booklets where applicable. MHLW's 119th scoring announcement weighted general questions, including essential questions, at 1 point each and clinical practical questions at 3 points each.

Time Limit

Four 135-minute sessions over two days; 9 hours total scheduled testing time.

Passing Score

119th examination: Area A 67/99, Area B 235/352, and essential questions 62/77; when some essential questions are excluded, the essential-question requirement is 80% of the adjusted total.

Exam Fee

JPY 18,900 for the 119th examination (Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW))

Japan Dental National Exam Exam Content Outline

About 22%

Essential Basic Items

Ethics and professionalism, society and dental care, prevention, normal structure and function, development and aging, disease mechanisms, symptoms, examination basics, emergency care, basic treatment, and general knowledge.

About 28%

General Dental Medicine

Health promotion, oral and systemic normal structure and function, development and aging, pathology, symptoms, diagnosis, testing, treatment, dental materials, and dental devices.

About 50%

Specific Dental Medicine

Growth and development disorders, tooth, pulp and periodontal diseases, oral and maxillofacial disease, tooth and jaw defects, functional disorders, and care for older, medically compromised, or disabled patients.

100 local questions

Practice Bank Coverage

Original practice questions across oral anatomy and pathology, dental materials, restorative dentistry, endodontics, prosthodontics, periodontology, oral surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, prevention, community dentistry, radiology, infection control, ethics, and Japan practice context.

How to Pass the Japan Dental National Exam Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 119th examination: Area A 67/99, Area B 235/352, and essential questions 62/77; when some essential questions are excluded, the essential-question requirement is 80% of the adjusted total.
Assessment: Paper-based A, B, C, and D question books with separate image booklets where applicable. MHLW's 119th scoring announcement weighted general questions, including essential questions, at 1 point each and clinical practical questions at 3 points each.
Time limit: Four 135-minute sessions over two days; 9 hours total scheduled testing time.
Exam fee: JPY 18,900 for the 119th examination

Keys to Passing

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

Japan Dental National Exam Study Tips from Top Performers

1Start with the MHLW Reiwa 5 blueprint and label weak areas by essential basics, general dental medicine, and specific dental medicine.

2Do not memorize released questions only; use them to identify clinical patterns, image interpretation needs, and common distractor logic.

3Review oral pathology and radiology together because many clinical questions depend on matching history, vitality, imaging, and lesion behavior.

4For restorative, endodontic, periodontal, and prosthodontic topics, connect procedure steps to the biologic reason behind each step.

5Practice medically compromised patient scenarios, emergency response, infection control, informed consent, and older-adult care because they cut across the blueprint.

6Track MHLW announcements each cycle, especially when the Reiwa 9 standard begins with the 120th examination.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who administers the Japan dental national examination?

The Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare administers the National Dental Practitioners Examination under the dental practitioner licensing framework.

How many questions were released for the 119th dental national examination?

MHLW's 119th answer table lists four question books, A through D, with 90 numbered items each, for 360 released numbered items. Final scoring denominators differed because MHLW excluded or specially handled some questions.

What is the time limit for the official exam?

The 119th candidate instructions scheduled four testing sessions from 9:45 to 12:00 and 13:45 to 16:00 on each of two days, which is four 135-minute sessions and 9 hours total testing time.

What did the 119th examination cost?

The MHLW implementation notice set the 119th examination fee at JPY 18,900, paid by attaching revenue stamps to the application form.

Which MHLW blueprint should current candidates use?

The 119th exam belongs to the Reiwa 5 standard cycle. MHLW has published Reiwa 9 standards, but the Reiwa 9 PDF states they are adopted from the 120th examination in 2027.

Can foreign-trained dentists take the Japan dental national examination automatically?

No. MHLW publishes a recognition process for foreign dental school graduates or foreign-licensed dentists. Recognition is required before using that route to national examination eligibility.