Free Practice Questions for NZ Dental Therapy REX
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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 review concepts for the NZ Dental Therapy REX exam. 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?
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?
3Using the FDI two-digit notation, what is the tooth number for the upper right primary central incisor?
4Which of the following is the primary mechanism by which topically applied fluoride helps prevent dental caries?
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?
6Which legislation governs the registration and regulation of dental therapists in New Zealand?
7A fissure sealant is most appropriately placed on which surface and tooth type?
8When obtaining consent to treat a 7-year-old child, who is generally able to give legally valid consent for the dental treatment?
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?
10At approximately what age do the permanent first molars (the '6-year molars') typically erupt?
About the NZ Dental Therapy REX Exam
The New Zealand Dental Therapy Registration Examination is the Dental Council of New Zealand (DCNZ) pathway for applicants who do not hold a prescribed qualification to gain registration in the dental therapy scope of practice. It has two parts: a written examination made up of two papers, and a separate clinical examination, and candidates must pass the written part before sitting the clinical part. The examination assesses the knowledge and skills required to provide oral health care to children and adolescents up to age 18, including caries prevention, fluoride and fissure sealant therapy, scaling and polishing, cavity preparation and direct restoration of primary and permanent teeth, pulpotomy and stainless steel crowns on primary teeth, and extraction of primary teeth. It also covers dental and oral anatomy, oral pathology, radiography, local anaesthesia, pharmacology, medical emergencies, infection control, ethics and the New Zealand regulatory framework under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003. Registration is governed by that Act, and some prescribed qualifications may carry scope exclusions until further training is completed.
Exam sponsor: Dental Council of New Zealand (DCNZ). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Assessment
Two parts: a written examination of two papers covering the dental therapy scope of practice, followed by a separate clinical examination. The written part must be passed before the clinical part can be attempted.
Time Limit
The two written papers are sat on the scheduled examination date set by the Dental Council; results are usually emailed about 10 to 12 weeks after the examination.
Passing Score
A pass grade of C- or better is required in each of the two written papers to pass the written examination. Candidates have a maximum of three attempts within three years to pass both the written and clinical parts.
Exam / Certification Fees
An examination fee is payable to the Dental Council of New Zealand when applying for the written examination. The fee is set per sitting and reduces as more applicants enrol; repeat candidates reapply and pay again. Check the current DCNZ fees schedule for the exact amount.
Exam sponsor websiteFees, 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.
Paediatric and Preventive Oral Health
Child and adolescent oral health for patients up to age 18: caries risk assessment and the caries process, fluoride therapy and toxicity, fissure sealants, scaling and polishing for gingivitis, plaque control, dietary and oral hygiene advice, and oral health education and promotion. Practice covers eruption patterns, early childhood caries and behaviour management.
Restorative Dentistry and Extractions
Cavity classification and preparation, direct restoration of primary and permanent teeth, dental materials such as glass ionomer, composite resin and amalgam, pulpotomy, stainless steel crowns on primary teeth, and extraction of primary teeth including indications, technique, healing and complications. Practice covers isolation, matrix use and post-operative care.
Clinical Sciences and Pharmacology
Dental and oral anatomy, tooth notation, eruption and exfoliation, oral pathology and soft-tissue lesions, dental radiography and radiation protection, local anaesthesia and its complications, pharmacology of analgesics, antibiotics and topical agents, and recognition and management of medical emergencies in the dental setting.
Regulation, Ethics and Infection Control
The DCNZ scopes of practice and practice standards, the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003, informed consent and capacity, patient records and privacy, scope exclusions, infection prevention and control including sterilisation and standard precautions, and professional ethics and conduct.
Preparing for the NZ Dental Therapy REX Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: A pass grade of C- or better is required in each of the two written papers to pass the written examination. Candidates have a maximum of three attempts within three years to pass both the written and clinical parts.
- Assessment: Two parts: a written examination of two papers covering the dental therapy scope of practice, followed by a separate clinical examination. The written part must be passed before the clinical part can be attempted.
- Time limit: The two written papers are sat on the scheduled examination date set by the Dental Council; results are usually emailed about 10 to 12 weeks after the examination.
- Exam / certification fees: An examination fee is payable to the Dental Council of New Zealand when applying for the written examination. The fee is set per sitting and reduces as more applicants enrol; repeat candidates reapply and pay again. Check the current DCNZ fees schedule for the exact amount. Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
NZ Dental Therapy REX: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the New Zealand Dental Therapy Registration Examination?
It is the Dental Council of New Zealand (DCNZ) examination that applicants without a prescribed qualification sit to register in the dental therapy scope of practice. It has a written part of two papers and a separate clinical part.
How is the written examination structured and graded?
The written examination consists of two papers covering the dental therapy scope of practice. To pass you must achieve a grade of C- or better in each of the two papers, and you must pass the written part before sitting the clinical part.
How many attempts do I get?
Candidates have a maximum of three attempts within three years of first sitting to pass both the written and clinical parts. If you repeat the examination you must reapply and pay the examination fee again.
What age group does the dental therapy scope cover?
In New Zealand the dental therapy scope of practice 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.
When will I get my written examination results?
The Dental Council normally issues written examination results by email about 10 to 12 weeks after the examination date. You must pass the written part before you can sit the clinical examination.
Are these official DCNZ examination questions?
No. These are original OpenExamPrep multiple-choice questions modelled on the dental therapy scope of practice and DCNZ standards. They are study practice for the written papers, not the official examination content.