ORE PART 1 Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield ORE PART 1 facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Addison's disease is characterised by insufficiency of which endocrine gland? → Adrenal cortex
2. A cone-cut error on a periapical radiograph appears as: → A clear unexposed area on part of the image
3. How many root canals does a mandibular first molar typically have? → Three
4. What radiation detector is worn by dental radiographers for personal dose monitoring? → Thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) badge or electronic personal dosimeter (EPD)
5. Which type of white blood cell is most increased in a bacterial infection? → Neutrophils
6. Which radiographic technique is most appropriate for detecting proximal caries in posterior teeth? → Horizontal bitewing radiograph
7. What is the 'contact area' of a tooth? → The area where adjacent teeth contact each other proximally in the arch
8. Which structure appears as a radiolucent band across the roots of maxillary teeth on a DPT (OPG)? → Air shadow of the oropharynx
9. What concentration of articaine is most commonly used for dental local anaesthesia? → 4% articaine with 1:100,000 adrenaline
10. What is the 'broadest' tooth mesiodistally in the permanent dentition? → Maxillary first molar
11. Rectangular collimation of the X-ray beam reduces patient radiation dose by approximately what percentage compared to round collimation? → 50–60%
12. During elevation of a lower third molar root, the root tip is displaced lingually. What is the immediate best course of action? → Take a radiograph, note the location, and refer to a specialist oral surgeon
13. Which ligament is the primary support structure of a tooth in its socket? → Periodontal ligament (PDL)
14. Interglobular dentine is found primarily in which part of the tooth? → In the crown dentine, just below the mantle dentine
15. During surgical extraction of a lower third molar, the lingual nerve is most at risk at which anatomical location? → At the lingual plate of the third molar region, just below the alveolar crest
16. A patient collapses in the dental chair and is unresponsive with no pulse. What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for adult CPR? → 30:2
17. What is the primary setting reaction of addition silicone (PVS) impression material? → Platinum-catalysed hydrosilylation of Si-H groups across vinyl groups
18. On a periapical radiograph, a well-defined radiolucency at the apex of a non-vital tooth is most likely to represent which pathology? → Periapical granuloma or cyst
19. Which radiographic technique is used to assess the alveolar crest bone level in periodontal disease? → Horizontal bitewing radiographs
20. What is the correct dose of intramuscular adrenaline for an adult experiencing anaphylaxis in a dental surgery? → 0.5ml of 1:1000 (0.5mg)
21. A patient on long-term prednisolone 10mg daily requires a dental extraction. What consideration is important regarding steroid supplementation? → The patient should double their dose for 24 hours
22. Which type of dentine is formed as a physiological response throughout life? → Secondary dentine
23. Which fascial space infection carries the highest risk of airway compromise? → Ludwig's angina (bilateral submandibular space)
24. What is the dental formula for the permanent human dentition? → I 2/2, C 1/1, P 2/2, M 3/3 = 32 teeth total
25. A patient develops numbness of the lower lip immediately following extraction of a lower premolar. Which nerve has most likely been damaged? → Mental nerve
26. What is the primary mechanism by which amoxicillin exerts its antibacterial effect? → Inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins
27. What is the recommended fluoride concentration in toothpaste for a 4-year-old child in the UK according to current guidelines? → 1350–1500 ppm
28. Which ADA/ISO type of gypsum product has the highest compressive strength? → Type V — high-strength, high-expansion stone
29. A diabetic patient becomes sweaty, confused, and tremulous during a dental appointment. What is the most appropriate immediate management? → Give oral glucose gel or a sugary drink if conscious
30. What is the annual occupational dose limit for whole body radiation exposure for a classified dental worker? → 20 mSv per year (whole body effective dose limit under IRR17)