DAANCE Dental Anesthesia Assistant Practice Test PDF (Free Printable 2026)
Pass the DAANCE Dental Anesthesia Assistant exam with confidence. Practice questions with detailed explanations and instant feedback on every answer. 🆕
DAANCE Practice Test PDF – Free Dental Anesthesia Assistant Exam Questions
The DAANCE (Dental Anesthesia Assistant National Certification Examination) is administered by AAOMS — the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons — through the DAANCE Program. It certifies dental assistants who have received training in anesthesia monitoring and patient management in oral and maxillofacial surgery settings. Several states require DAANCE certification for dental anesthesia assistant registration. Practice with the free DAANCE - Dental Anesthesia Assistant National Certification Examination practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (7 questions with answer explanations).
This free DAANCE practice test PDF contains exam-style questions drawn from all four tested domains: pharmacology, airway management, anesthesia complications, and patient preparation and documentation. Download it below to review offline or print a study copy before your certification exam.
- The DAANCE exam has 115 multiple-choice items, of which 100 are scored and 15 are unscored pretest items. (American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), with exams delivered by PSI)
- Candidates have two hours to complete the DAANCE exam. (American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), with exams delivered by PSI)
- The DAANCE minimum passing score is set by the Angoff method in a Passing Point Study and may vary slightly between exam versions. (American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), with exams delivered by PSI)
- DAANCE tuition is $405 for AAOMS member-sponsored staff, covering the digital study materials and the examination fee. (American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), with exams delivered by PSI)
- DAANCE tuition is $605 for staff sponsored by dentists who are not AAOMS members, covering the digital study materials and the examination fee. (American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), with exams delivered by PSI)
- A candidate who fails the DAANCE exam may take one retest for a $95 fee. (American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), with exams delivered by PSI)
- Candidates who fail the DAANCE exam are allowed one retest for $95 and must submit the retest registration within 30 days of failing; they then get a new six-month window. (American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), with exams delivered by PSI)
- DAANCE certification is valid for five years. (American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), with exams delivered by PSI)
- To renew DAANCE certification, assistants must retake the exam every five years and keep current BLS and/or ACLS certification; online CPR certifications are not accepted. (American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), with exams delivered by PSI)
Facts verified Oct 25, 2026 against American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), with exams delivered by PSI. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
DAANCE Exam at a Glance
Facts verified Oct 25, 2026 against American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), with exams delivered by PSI. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
Free DAANCE - Dental Anesthesia Assistant National Certification Examination Study Tools
Interactive DAANCE - Dental Anesthesia Assistant National Certification Examination resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
- DAANCE - Dental Anesthesia Assistant National Certification Examination flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
- DAANCE - Dental Anesthesia Assistant National Certification Examination study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
- DAANCE - Dental Anesthesia Assistant National Certification Examination cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review
What the DAANCE Exam Covers
The pharmacology of anesthesia agents domain is the largest section. IV induction agents each carry specific clinical profiles: propofol is short-acting and presented as a white lipid emulsion — avoid in patients with soy or egg allergies; ketamine is a dissociative agent that preserves airway reflexes but increases secretions (an anticholinergic is often co-administered); etomidate is hemodynamically stable but carries a risk of adrenocortical suppression. Opioids tested include fentanyl (rapid onset, short duration), morphine (causes histamine release), and hydromorphone. Benzodiazepines — midazolam for amnesia and anxiolysis, diazepam as an alternative — are commonly used in dental sedation. Know both reversal agents cold: flumazenil reverses benzodiazepines; naloxone reverses opioids but has a shorter duration than most opioids, meaning redosing may be required. Nitrous oxide questions frequently test its mechanism as an incomplete anesthetic, its MAC value, and diffusion hypoxia — always administer 100% oxygen for a minimum of five minutes at the end of a nitrous case. Local anesthetics are tested on the amide-vs-ester distinction and maximum doses by drug and patient weight.
Airway management and monitoring requires solid anatomy knowledge: the laryngeal structures (epiglottis, vocal cords, trachea), Mallampati classification (I–IV), and the indications for jaw thrust versus head-tilt chin-lift. Airway adjuncts covered include bag-mask ventilation, LMA placement, ET tubes, nasal airways, and oral airways. Monitoring interpretation is critical: normal SpO2 is ≥95%, normal EtCO2 is 35–45 mmHg, and you must recognize hypo- and hyperventilation patterns on the capnography waveform. ECG interpretation covers normal sinus rhythm, sinus bradycardia, and sinus tachycardia.
Anesthesia complications and emergencies tests your ability to recognize and manage life-threatening events. Laryngospasm presents with stridor, loss of reservoir bag movement, and oxygen desaturation — manage with jaw thrust and CPAP, escalating to succinylcholine in severe cases. Bronchospasm produces a wheeze and is treated with albuterol or deepening of anesthesia. Aspiration prevention depends on NPO compliance (6 hours for solids, 2 hours for clear liquids); if it occurs, Trendelenburg positioning and suctioning are first responses. Malignant hyperthermia is triggered by succinylcholine and volatile anesthetic agents — treatment is dantrolene sodium plus external cooling; stop the triggering agent immediately. Anaphylaxis in the dental office requires IM epinephrine 0.3 mg, diphenhydramine, and activation of EMS. Syncope (vasovagal) is managed with Trendelenburg positioning and oxygen.
Patient preparation and monitoring documentation covers NPO guideline enforcement, thorough medical history review, ASA physical status classification (I–VI), informed consent documentation, the pre-anesthesia checklist, intraoperative vital sign recording intervals, and the Aldrete score criteria for determining post-anesthesia discharge readiness.
- ✓Memorize IV induction agents: propofol contraindications, ketamine secretion management, etomidate adrenocortical risk
- ✓Know reversal agents: flumazenil for benzos, naloxone for opioids (shorter duration — may need redosing)
- ✓Review nitrous oxide: incomplete anesthetic, diffusion hypoxia, 5-minute 100% O2 rule at end of case
- ✓Study local anesthetic classes: amide vs. ester, maximum doses by drug and body weight
- ✓Learn Mallampati classification I–IV and airway adjunct indications
- ✓Practice interpreting SpO2 waveforms and capnography (normal EtCO2: 35–45 mmHg)
- ✓Master emergency management: laryngospasm (jaw thrust → succinylcholine), MH (dantrolene + stop trigger), anaphylaxis (epi 0.3 mg IM)
- ✓Review NPO guidelines: 6 hours for solids, 2 hours for clear liquids
- ✓Study ASA physical status classification I–VI and how it affects anesthesia planning
- ✓Know the Aldrete score criteria for post-anesthesia discharge readiness
Free DAANCE Practice Tests Online
Pair this PDF with our interactive DAANCE practice test to test yourself with immediate scoring and detailed answer explanations. The online format lets you identify weak domains — pharmacology, airway, emergencies, or documentation — so you can focus your remaining study time where it matters most.
- +Industry-recognized credential boosts your resume
- +Higher earning potential (10-20% salary increase on average)
- +Demonstrates commitment to professional development
- +Opens doors to advanced career opportunities
- −Exam preparation requires significant time investment (4-8 weeks)
- −Certification fees can be $100-$400+
- −May require continuing education to maintain
- −Some employers may not require certification
Sample DAANCE - Dental Anesthesia Assistant National Certification Examination Practice Questions
Try these questions from our free DAANCE - Dental Anesthesia Assistant National Certification Examination practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
Which action by a dental anesthesia assistant would MOST likely constitute practicing outside the scope of practice under state law?
- A. Monitoring vital signs during sedation
- B. Independently selecting and titrating IV propofol doses without dentist direction
- C. Preparing the anesthesia cart prior to the procedure
- D. Recording the patient's blood pressure every five minutes
Answer: B. Independently selecting and titrating IV propofol doses without dentist direction
Independently selecting and titrating anesthetic agents is reserved for licensed anesthesia providers; assistants may only administer under direct dentist direction as permitted by state law.
What does 'scope of practice' mean for a dental anesthesia assistant in the US?
- A. The range of equipment the assistant can operate
- B. The legally defined tasks the assistant is authorized to perform under supervision
- C. The geographic area where the assistant may work
- D. The number of patients the assistant can monitor at once
Answer: B. The legally defined tasks the assistant is authorized to perform under supervision
Scope of practice refers to the legally defined set of duties a dental anesthesia assistant is authorized to perform under appropriate supervision in their state.
A dental anesthesia assistant notices a discrepancy in the controlled substance log. What is the appropriate first action?
- A. Ignore it and move on
- B. Correct the log independently
- C. Report it immediately to the supervising dentist
- D. Dispose of the extra medication
Answer: C. Report it immediately to the supervising dentist
Any discrepancy in controlled substance records must be reported immediately to the supervising dentist for proper investigation and documentation.
A 58-year-old male patient with well-controlled type 2 diabetes and hypertension is scheduled for multiple extractions under IV sedation. His morning blood glucose reading was 150 mg/dL. Which of the following is the most appropriate action for the dental anesthesia assistant to anticipate?
- A. Scheduling the patient for the first appointment of the day.
- B. Administering a prophylactic dose of antibiotics.
- C. Withholding all morning medications, including antihypertensives.
- D. Using a local anesthetic without a vasoconstrictor.
Answer: A. Scheduling the patient for the first appointment of the day.
Patients with diabetes should be scheduled for morning appointments to minimize the disruption of their meal and medication schedules and to avoid hypoglycemia. Withholding antihypertensives could lead to dangerously high blood pressure during the procedure. Prophylactic antibiotics are not routinely indicated solely based on diabetes unless there is a specific risk of infection. A local anesthetic with a vasoconstrictor is generally safe for patients with well-controlled diabetes and hypertension, and it helps to provide profound anesthesia.
Take the full DAANCE - Dental Anesthesia Assistant National Certification Examination practice test
How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy
Sources & references
Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy
- aaoms.org — Retake fee, test delivery, eligibility, fees, exam format, passing score, renewal, retake policy, score release, time limit · verified Oct 2026