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.
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 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.
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.