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100+ Free NZ Dental Therapy REX Practice Questions

New Zealand Dental Therapy Registration Examination practice questions are available now; exam metadata is being verified.

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Key Facts: NZ Dental Therapy REX Exam

2 parts

A written examination of two papers plus a separate clinical examination

Dental Council of New Zealand - Dental therapists

C- pass

You must pass each of the two written papers with a grade of C- or better

Dental Council of New Zealand - Sit written examination

Written first

You must pass the written examination before sitting the clinical examination

Dental Council of New Zealand - Dental therapists

3 attempts / 3 years

Maximum of three attempts within three years to pass both parts

Dental Council of New Zealand - Examination eligibility criteria

Up to age 18

Dental therapy scope covers children and adolescents up to age 18

Dental Council Scopes of Practice (New Zealand Gazette)

10-12 weeks

Written examination results are normally emailed 10 to 12 weeks after the exam

Dental Council of New Zealand - Dental therapists

HPCA Act 2003

Registration is governed by the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003

Dental Council of New Zealand

100

Free original written-paper practice questions provided here

OpenExamPrep

The New Zealand Dental Therapy Registration Examination is the Dental Council of New Zealand (DCNZ) route to registration in the dental therapy scope of practice for applicants without a prescribed qualification. It has a written part of two papers and a separate clinical part, and you must pass the written part (a C- or better in each paper) before sitting the clinical examination. Candidates get a maximum of three attempts within three years to pass both parts, with written results usually emailed about 10 to 12 weeks after the examination. The scope covers oral health care for children and adolescents up to age 18, including prevention, restorations of primary and permanent teeth, pulpotomy, stainless steel crowns and extraction of primary teeth. This 100-question bank provides original multiple-choice practice for the written papers across paediatric, restorative, clinical-science and regulatory topics.

Sample NZ Dental Therapy REX Practice Questions

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

1In the New Zealand dental therapy scope of practice, which patient group is a dental therapist authorised to treat without an additional scope?
A.Adults over 18 only
B.Children and adolescents up to age 18
C.Patients of any age referred by a dentist
D.Only patients under age 5
Explanation: The Dental Council of New Zealand dental therapy scope of practice covers oral health care for children and adolescents up to age 18. Treating adults requires a separate additional scope of adult care.
2A 6-year-old presents with a primary first molar showing deep caries with a small, pinpoint pulp exposure but no signs of irreversible pulpitis or abscess. The tooth is restorable. Which treatment is most appropriate?
A.Extraction of the tooth
B.Pulpotomy followed by a stainless steel crown
C.Direct composite restoration only, leaving the exposure
D.Referral for root canal therapy by a dentist
Explanation: A small pulp exposure in a restorable primary molar with no irreversible pulpitis is managed by pulpotomy, removing the coronal pulp and restoring with a stainless steel crown for durability. Both procedures are within the dental therapy scope.
3Using the FDI two-digit notation, what is the tooth number for the upper right primary central incisor?
A.11
B.51
C.61
D.81
Explanation: In FDI notation, primary teeth use quadrant digits 5 to 8. The upper right primary quadrant is 5 and the central incisor is tooth 1, giving 51.
4Which of the following is the primary mechanism by which topically applied fluoride helps prevent dental caries?
A.It kills all oral bacteria on contact
B.It promotes remineralisation and forms acid-resistant fluorapatite
C.It physically blocks the pits and fissures
D.It neutralises dietary sugars in the mouth
Explanation: Topical fluoride enhances remineralisation of early lesions and incorporates into enamel to form fluorapatite, which is more resistant to acid dissolution. It also inhibits bacterial metabolism at higher concentrations.
5A child swallows a large amount of fluoride toothpaste and develops nausea and vomiting. What is the most appropriate immediate first-aid measure for mild to moderate fluoride ingestion?
A.Give milk or calcium-containing fluid and monitor
B.Induce further vomiting repeatedly
C.Give a large dose of aspirin
D.Withhold all fluids until symptoms pass
Explanation: Milk or another calcium-containing fluid binds fluoride in the gut and soothes the stomach, reducing absorption in mild to moderate ingestion. Calcium forms insoluble calcium fluoride.
6Which legislation governs the registration and regulation of dental therapists in New Zealand?
A.Health and Disability Services Act 1993
B.Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003
C.Medicines Act 1981
D.Dental Act 1988
Explanation: The Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCA Act) provides the framework under which the Dental Council registers and regulates dental therapists and other oral health practitioners in New Zealand.
7A fissure sealant is most appropriately placed on which surface and tooth type?
A.The smooth buccal surface of an incisor
B.The deep occlusal pits and fissures of a molar
C.The interproximal surface of a premolar
D.The root surface of an exposed canine
Explanation: Fissure sealants are placed in the deep pits and fissures of posterior teeth, especially molars, where plaque accumulates and the toothbrush cannot reach. They physically seal these vulnerable sites.
8When obtaining consent to treat a 7-year-old child, who is generally able to give legally valid consent for the dental treatment?
A.The child alone
B.The parent or legal guardian
C.The school principal
D.Any accompanying adult
Explanation: For a young child who lacks the maturity to consent, consent is given by the parent or legal guardian. The practitioner should still explain the treatment to the child in age-appropriate terms.
9Which dental material is most commonly used as the restorative material for a routine pulpotomy in a primary molar before a stainless steel crown is placed, or releases fluoride and bonds chemically to tooth structure?
A.Glass ionomer cement
B.Gold inlay
C.Porcelain veneer
D.Acrylic denture base
Explanation: Glass ionomer cement bonds chemically to tooth structure, releases fluoride and is commonly used to build up or base primary teeth, including after pulpotomy before a stainless steel crown. It is well suited to paediatric restorative care.
10At approximately what age do the permanent first molars (the '6-year molars') typically erupt?
A.Around 2 to 3 years
B.Around 6 to 7 years
C.Around 11 to 12 years
D.Around 17 to 21 years
Explanation: The permanent first molars typically erupt around age 6 to 7, earning the name '6-year molars'. They erupt distal to the primary second molars without exfoliating any primary tooth.

About the NZ Dental Therapy REX Practice Questions

Verified exam format metadata for New Zealand Dental Therapy Registration Examination is pending. The practice questions above remain available while official exam length, timing, passing score, fee, and administrator details are reviewed.