Free Practice Questions for Saudi Board Pediatric Dentistry

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Sample Saudi Board Pediatric Dentistry Practice Questions

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1A 5-year-old child presents with an asymptomatic, multisurface cavitated carious lesion on the primary mandibular second molar. Radiographic evaluation shows dentin caries extending into the middle third of dentin with a clear band of sound dentin separating the lesion from the pulp, no periapical or interradicular radiolucency, and normal physiological root length. What is the most appropriate indication criteria for managing this tooth with the Hall Technique?

A.Any asymptomatic carious lesion regardless of radiographic depth or proximity to the pulp horn

B.Restricted exclusively to non-cavitated initial enamel demineralization lesions on occlusal surfaces

C.Cavitated carious lesions exhibiting spontaneous nocturnal pain provided no furcation bone loss is present

D.Asymptomatic cavitated dentin caries with no sign of pulp necrosis or irreversible pulpitis

Explanation: The Hall Technique is indicated for primary molars with cavitated or non-cavitated dentin carious lesions where there are no clinical symptoms or radiographic signs of pulpal involvement (no spontaneous pain, no abscess, no mobility, and a clear band of sound dentin radiographically). Biological sealing of the carious biomass from the oral cavity halts caries progression without local anesthesia or tooth preparation.

2A pediatric dental resident is preparing primary maxillary central incisors for preformed pediatric zirconia crowns (PZCs). Which of the following technical considerations is essential for the clinical success of prefabricated zirconia crowns compared to stainless steel crowns?

A.Aggressive crimping of the cervical margin using crimping pliers to achieve mechanical retention

B.A feather-edge subgingival margin with knife-edge preparation without supragingival reduction

C.Achieving a passive, friction-free fit with adequate circumferential reduction and complete hemostasis prior to cementation

D.Using resin-modified glass ionomer cement under active bleeding since zirconia chemically bonds to blood proteins

Explanation: Unlike stainless steel crowns, prefabricated zirconia crowns cannot be crimped, contoured, or bent because zirconia is a rigid, brittle ceramic. Clinical success requires sufficient circumferential tooth reduction (0.5-1.0 mm) and incisal reduction (1.5-2.0 mm) to achieve a passive fit without resistance, along with complete sulcular hemostasis before luting to prevent bond degradation.

3When preparing a primary mandibular second molar for a conventional stainless steel crown (SSC), which principle of tooth reduction must be strictly observed?

A.Uniform 1.0 to 1.5 mm occlusal reduction with feather-edge margins, preserving cervical bulges

B.Extensive parallel axial reduction of the buccal and lingual cervical bulges to create a 90-degree shoulder margin

C.Flat occlusal reduction of 3.0 mm to guarantee that no occlusal adjustment is required

D.Creating deep subgingival chamfers interproximally with high-speed diamond burs without breaking contact with adjacent teeth

Explanation: Standard SSC preparation requires 1.0 to 1.5 mm of uniform occlusal reduction following anatomical planes and interproximal slices that clear contact gingivally with a feather-edge margin. The prominent buccal and lingual cervical bulges must be preserved because they provide the mechanical undercut necessary for crown retention and snap-fit.

4A 3-year-old child presents with active cavitated dentin caries on the buccal surfaces of primary maxillary incisors. The clinician decides to apply 38% silver diamine fluoride (SDF). Which mechanism best explains the biological arrest of caries achieved by 38% SDF?

A.Silver ions denature salivary amylase while diamine molecules form an impermeable synthetic polymer membrane

B.Ammonia acts as a cytotoxic agent that permanently devitalizes coronal pulpal tissue to eliminate pain

C.The alkaline vehicle dissolves enamel prisms to facilitate deep mechanical penetration of composite resins

D.Silver ions are antimicrobial while fluoride forms fluorapatite and inhibits MMPs

Explanation: 38% silver diamine fluoride contains silver ions (which are bactericidal, disrupt bacterial DNA/cell walls, and inhibit bacterial growth) and high-concentration fluoride (which promotes remineralization, forms fluorapatite, and inhibits collagen degradation by matrix metalloproteinases and cathepsins in dentin).

5Which of the following physical and biological characteristics distinguishes resin-modified glass ionomer cements (RMGI) from conventional glass ionomer cements (GIC) in pediatric restorative dentistry?

A.Complete elimination of the acid-base neutralization reaction in favor of pure condensation polymerization

B.Significantly higher coefficient of thermal expansion than tooth structure, leading to frequent marginal gap formation

C.Total absence of fluoride release due to resin encapsulation of the glass filler particles

D.Photo-cured resin monomers add early strength while keeping adhesion and fluoride release

Explanation: RMGI combines an acid-base glass ionomer reaction with light-activated free-radical polymerization (typically HEMA). This dual-cure mechanism imparts immediate initial strength, lower early moisture sensitivity, and improved resistance to dissolution, while retaining chemical chelation to hydroxyapatite and significant fluoride release.

6A practitioner is utilizing bulk-fill composite resin for a deep Class I restoration on a permanent first molar in an 8-year-old child. Which compositional modification enables bulk-fill composites to achieve an effective depth of cure of 4 to 5 mm without excessive polymerization shrinkage stress?

A.Inclusion of stress-relieving monomers, optimized filler transparency matching resin refractive index, and highly reactive photoinitiators

B.Addition of 50% microfine zinc oxide powder to scatter curing light uniformly across the cavity floor

C.Elimination of Bis-GMA and replacement with low-molecular-weight methyl methacrylate monomers to increase flow

D.Utilization of opaque metal oxide colorants that absorb light and generate internal chemical heat to initiate self-curing

Explanation: Bulk-fill composites achieve depths of cure up to 4-5 mm by reducing light scattering through increased translucency (matching the refractive indices of fillers and resin matrix), incorporating novel photoinitiator systems (such as Ivocerin or Lucirin TPO), and utilizing stress-relieving or cleavage-addition-fragmentation monomers that reduce polymerization contraction stress.

7Compomer (polyacid-modified composite resin) restorations are evaluated for Class II restorations in primary molars. According to clinical trial evidence and AAPD guidelines, what is the primary limitation of compomers compared to stainless steel crowns in multi-surface primary molar restorations?

A.Compomers have significantly higher wear resistance and cause severe abrasion of opposing natural teeth

B.Compomers release higher amounts of fluoride than conventional GICs, leading to local soft-tissue fluorosis

C.Higher failure rates in multi-surface lesions in high-caries-risk children due to secondary caries and marginal breakdown

D.Compomers can only be cured with high-intensity plasma arc curing units and fail under standard LED lights

Explanation: Systematic reviews and AAPD guidelines show that for multi-surface lesions in primary molars, especially in children with moderate-to-high caries risk, stainless steel crowns are significantly superior to compomers and composites. Compomers demonstrate higher rates of marginal ditching, recurrent decay, and restorative failure over time.

8The SMART technique (Silver Modified Atraumatic Restorative Treatment) is selected for an anxious 4-year-old patient. What is the fundamental protocol of the SMART procedure?

A.Complete surgical pulpotomy followed by placement of silver amalgam alloy under general anesthesia

B.Enamel beveling under local anesthesia followed by total-etch bonding and microfill composite placement

C.Application of silver diamine fluoride to arrest carious dentin followed by restoration with glass ionomer cement

D.Root canal instrumentation using rotary nickel-titanium files followed by silver point obturation

Explanation: SMART (Silver Modified Atraumatic Restorative Treatment) involves applying 38% silver diamine fluoride to arrest active dentin caries, followed by placing a glass ionomer cement (or RMGI) restoration over the lesion, often at the same visit or subsequent visit, without requiring local anesthesia or rotary excavation.

9A clinician is restoring severely decayed primary maxillary incisors using celluloid strip crowns. Which clinical step is critical to ensure proper seating and prevent hydraulic backpressure or air bubble entrapment during crown placement?

A.Leaving the incisal edge unreduced to maximize surface area for chemical bonding

B.Light curing the composite resin inside the celluloid form completely before seating it onto the prepared tooth

C.Applying zinc phosphate cement to the internal surface of the celluloid form prior to composite resin insertion

D.Puncturing a small vent hole in the palatal/lingual surface near the incisal edge of the celluloid crown form before loading resin

Explanation: Placing a small pin-hole vent on the lingual/palatal surface of the celluloid strip crown form allows excess composite resin and trapped air to escape as the crown is seated gingivally. This prevents incomplete seating, hydraulic pressure, open margins, and internal air voids.

10During photopolymerization of composite resin in deep pediatric cavities, pulpal temperature rise is a major concern. What threshold of intrapulpal temperature elevation is historically recognized as the critical limit beyond which irreversible pulpal damage occurs?

A.5.5 degrees Celsius

B.1.2 degrees Celsius

C.12.8 degrees Celsius

D.20.0 degrees Celsius

Explanation: Zach and Cohen's classic primate study established that an intrapulpal temperature elevation of 5.5 °C caused pulpal necrosis in 15% of teeth, while an elevation of 11.1 °C caused necrosis in 60% of teeth. In primary and young permanent teeth with high pulp horns and thinner dentin, thermal safety during light-curing is critical.

About the Saudi Board Pediatric Dentistry Exam

Independent English-language MCQ study adaptation by OpenExamPrep. The Saudi Board Final Examination in Pediatric Dentistry is the final exit written examination administered by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) for pediatric dentistry residents. This resource is an independent MCQ study aid prepared by OpenExamPrep to help residents review core pediatric dentistry topics, and does not simulate or replace the mandatory clinical OSCE examination.

Exam sponsor: Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Two papers, each with 100–125 single-best-answer MCQs. Up to 10% additional unscored items may be added. Duration is not stated in the written blueprint.

Time Limit

Not published by SCFHS

Passing Score

70% (lowered to minimum 65% if pass rate under 70%)

Exam / Certification Fees

Not published by SCFHS

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not published by SCFHS. SCFHS publishes no candidate pass rate. The blueprint instead sets the passing score at 70% and, if fewer than 70% of candidates pass before final approval, lowers that score one mark at a time until a 70% pass rate is reached or the score reaches 65%, whichever comes first; it is never lowered below 65%. Exam sponsor website

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

Official sources

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.

20%

Special Healthcare Needs

Comprehensive dental care for medically compromised children, developmental disabilities, genetic syndromes, oncology protocols, and bleeding disorders.

15%

Dental Biomaterials and Restorative Dentistry

Preformed metal and aesthetic crowns, Hall technique, adhesive systems, glass ionomer cements, composites, and silver diamine fluoride.

15%

Oral Diagnosis/Oral Pathology/Oral Medicine

Developmental anomalies of teeth and jaws, oral mucosal lesions, pediatric salivary gland disorders, cysts, and odontogenic lesions.

15%

Trauma and Pulp Therapy

Primary and immature permanent tooth pulp therapies, vital pulp preservation, IADT trauma guidelines, luxation, avulsion, and splinting.

10%

Pediatric Orthodontics

Space maintenance, space regaining, interceptive orthodontics, crossbite correction, ectopic eruption, habits, and mixed dentition analysis.

10%

Pharmacology in Pediatric Dentistry

Local anesthetic dosage and toxicity, conscious sedation protocols, antibiotic stewardship, analgesics, and fluoride prescription pharmacology.

Children Development/Behavior Guidance

Child psychological stages, Frankl scale, basic and advanced non-pharmacologic behavior guidance, and protective stabilization principles.

Prevention and Anticipatory Guidance

Dental home concept, caries risk assessment, dietary counseling, topical fluorides, and pit and fissure sealant protocols.

Oral Epidemiology, Research, Biostatistics and Public Health

Caries indices (dmft/DMFT), community water fluoridation, diagnostic test sensitivity/specificity, study designs, and statistical inference.

Preparing for the Saudi Board Pediatric Dentistry Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 70% (lowered to minimum 65% if pass rate under 70%)
Assessment: Two papers, each with 100–125 single-best-answer MCQs. Up to 10% additional unscored items may be added. Duration is not stated in the written blueprint.
Time limit: Not published by SCFHS
Exam / certification fees: Not published by SCFHS Official sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the format of the Saudi Board Pediatric Dentistry Final Examination?

Two papers, each with 100–125 single-best-answer MCQs. Up to 10% additional unscored items may be added. Duration is not stated in the written blueprint.

What is the passing score for the Saudi Board Pediatric Dentistry written exam?

The official pass mark is 70%. In accordance with SCFHS assessment regulations, if fewer than 70% of candidates pass, the pass score is lowered one mark at a time toward a 70% pass rate, down to a strict floor of 65%.

Does this practice bank cover the clinical OSCE component?

This bank is an independent English-language MCQ study adaptation for the written examination. It does not simulate or replace the separate mandatory final clinical/practical assessment. Consult the specialty clinical blueprint for its station formats and any structured oral or OSCE components.

Is OpenExamPrep affiliated with or endorsed by the SCFHS?

No. OpenExamPrep is an independent educational prep platform. This study resource is not endorsed by, sponsored by, or affiliated with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS).

Free Practice Questions for Saudi Board Pediatric Dentistry

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