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200+ Free NBDE Part I Practice Questions

Prepare for the National Board Dental Examination Part I (Legacy) exam with instant access — no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NBDE Part I Exam

July 31, 2020

Last NBDE Part I Date

JCNDE History & Timeline

Aug 1, 2020

INBDE Launch

JCNDE History & Timeline

500

Current INBDE Questions

INBDE Candidate Guide (updated 2025-12-15)

12h

Total Appointment Time

INBDE Candidate Guide (updated 2025-12-15)

$890

Current Exam Fee

INBDE Candidate Guide (updated 2025-12-15)

4

Legacy Foundational Domains

NBDE Part I-style content structure

JCNDE's official timeline states the last NBDE Part I administration was July 31, 2020, and the INBDE launched August 1, 2020. The current candidate guide (updated December 15, 2025) lists a 12-hour appointment, 500 total questions (360 Day 1 + 140 Day 2), and an $890 exam fee. Use this page as a legacy foundational-science bridge aligned to modern integrated board expectations.

Sample NBDE Part I Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NBDE Part I exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Case 001: A mandibular anesthesia complication is being reviewed after a restorative appointment. Which branch of CN V3 provides primary sensory innervation to the lower lip and chin? (during initial chart review).
A.Mental nerve.
B.Long buccal nerve.
C.Greater palatine nerve.
D.Infraorbital nerve.
Explanation: The mental nerve is the terminal branch of the inferior alveolar nerve and supplies sensation to the lower lip and chin region.
2Case 002: A mandibular anesthesia complication is being reviewed after a restorative appointment. Which branch of CN V3 provides primary sensory innervation to the lower lip and chin? (while working through a board-style vignette).
A.Long buccal nerve.
B.Mental nerve.
C.Greater palatine nerve.
D.Infraorbital nerve.
Explanation: The mental nerve is the terminal branch of the inferior alveolar nerve and supplies sensation to the lower lip and chin region.
3Case 003: A mandibular anesthesia complication is being reviewed after a restorative appointment. Which branch of CN V3 provides primary sensory innervation to the lower lip and chin? (in a timed foundational-science set).
A.Long buccal nerve.
B.Greater palatine nerve.
C.Mental nerve.
D.Infraorbital nerve.
Explanation: The mental nerve is the terminal branch of the inferior alveolar nerve and supplies sensation to the lower lip and chin region.
4Case 004: A mandibular anesthesia complication is being reviewed after a restorative appointment. Which branch of CN V3 provides primary sensory innervation to the lower lip and chin? (during final exam-week consolidation).
A.Long buccal nerve.
B.Greater palatine nerve.
C.Infraorbital nerve.
D.Mental nerve.
Explanation: The mental nerve is the terminal branch of the inferior alveolar nerve and supplies sensation to the lower lip and chin region.
5Case 005: A mandibular anesthesia complication is being reviewed after a restorative appointment. Which branch of CN V3 provides primary sensory innervation to the lower lip and chin? (in an integrated clinical-decision scenario).
A.Mental nerve.
B.Long buccal nerve.
C.Greater palatine nerve.
D.Infraorbital nerve.
Explanation: The mental nerve is the terminal branch of the inferior alveolar nerve and supplies sensation to the lower lip and chin region.
6Case 006: A third-molar extraction consent discussion highlights lingual-side surgical risk. Which structure is most vulnerable on the lingual aspect of the mandibular third-molar area? (during initial chart review).
A.Inferior alveolar nerve inside the mandibular canal.
B.Lingual nerve.
C.Facial nerve main trunk.
D.Glossopharyngeal nerve.
Explanation: The lingual nerve courses close to the lingual cortical plate in this region and can be injured during flap reflection or instrumentation.
7Case 007: A third-molar extraction consent discussion highlights lingual-side surgical risk. Which structure is most vulnerable on the lingual aspect of the mandibular third-molar area? (while working through a board-style vignette).
A.Inferior alveolar nerve inside the mandibular canal.
B.Facial nerve main trunk.
C.Lingual nerve.
D.Glossopharyngeal nerve.
Explanation: The lingual nerve courses close to the lingual cortical plate in this region and can be injured during flap reflection or instrumentation.
8Case 008: A third-molar extraction consent discussion highlights lingual-side surgical risk. Which structure is most vulnerable on the lingual aspect of the mandibular third-molar area? (in a timed foundational-science set).
A.Inferior alveolar nerve inside the mandibular canal.
B.Facial nerve main trunk.
C.Glossopharyngeal nerve.
D.Lingual nerve.
Explanation: The lingual nerve courses close to the lingual cortical plate in this region and can be injured during flap reflection or instrumentation.
9Case 009: A third-molar extraction consent discussion highlights lingual-side surgical risk. Which structure is most vulnerable on the lingual aspect of the mandibular third-molar area? (during final exam-week consolidation).
A.Lingual nerve.
B.Inferior alveolar nerve inside the mandibular canal.
C.Facial nerve main trunk.
D.Glossopharyngeal nerve.
Explanation: The lingual nerve courses close to the lingual cortical plate in this region and can be injured during flap reflection or instrumentation.
10Case 010: A third-molar extraction consent discussion highlights lingual-side surgical risk. Which structure is most vulnerable on the lingual aspect of the mandibular third-molar area? (in an integrated clinical-decision scenario).
A.Inferior alveolar nerve inside the mandibular canal.
B.Lingual nerve.
C.Facial nerve main trunk.
D.Glossopharyngeal nerve.
Explanation: The lingual nerve courses close to the lingual cortical plate in this region and can be injured during flap reflection or instrumentation.

About the NBDE Part I Exam

NBDE Part I is a legacy exam, but its core biomedical science domains remain high-yield for modern dental board prep. This bank focuses on anatomic sciences, biochemistry/physiology, microbiology/pathology, and dental anatomy/occlusion for foundational mastery.

Questions

500 scored questions

Time Limit

12-hour total appointment (current INBDE format)

Passing Score

Legacy NBDE Part I retired; INBDE reports Pass/Fail

Exam Fee

$890 (JCNDE / ADA DTS / Pearson VUE)

NBDE Part I Exam Content Outline

Legacy Domain

Anatomic Sciences

Head and neck anatomy, neuroanatomy, embryology, and oral histology principles

Legacy Domain

Biochemistry & Physiology

Metabolism, acid-base regulation, endocrine control, and systems physiology

Legacy Domain

Microbiology & Pathology

Oral pathogens, host response, inflammation, neoplasia, and lesion triage

Legacy Domain

Dental Anatomy & Occlusion

Tooth morphology, eruption, occlusal relationships, and prosthodontic occlusal concepts

How to Pass the NBDE Part I Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Legacy NBDE Part I retired; INBDE reports Pass/Fail
  • Exam length: 500 questions
  • Time limit: 12-hour total appointment (current INBDE format)
  • Exam fee: $890

Keys to Passing

  • Work through all 200 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NBDE Part I Study Tips from Top Performers

1Treat each question as a mechanism check: identify structure, function, and clinical consequence before selecting an answer
2Rotate across all four legacy domains weekly to avoid siloed memorization
3Use timed 25-50 question blocks to build pacing and error-recognition under pressure
4For misses, write a one-line correction rule and revisit it within 48 hours
5Pair foundational science review with integrated clinical vignettes to match current board expectations
6Track recurring weak areas and deliberately over-practice those topics

Frequently Asked Questions

Is NBDE Part I still administered in 2026?

No. JCNDE's official timeline states the final NBDE Part I administration date was July 31, 2020.

What replaced NBDE Part I and NBDE Part II?

The Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) replaced NBDE Part I and Part II, with implementation on August 1, 2020.

What is the current written dental board format?

The current candidate guide (updated December 15, 2025) lists the INBDE as a 12-hour appointment with 500 total questions: 360 on Day 1 and 140 on Day 2.

What is the 2026 exam fee?

The INBDE candidate guide lists an exam fee of $890.

Why study NBDE Part I topics if the exam is retired?

Because the same foundational sciences still underpin modern integrated board reasoning. Strong anatomy, physiology, pathology, and occlusion fundamentals improve clinical item performance.

How should I use this question bank?

Use mixed timed sets, review rationales deeply, and rotate weak domains every 48-72 hours. Prioritize mechanism-level understanding rather than memorizing isolated facts.