GC Dental Materials Practice Questions
About a sixth of the GC exam: how impression, operative and laboratory materials behave and how to handle them.
Ten GC questions on dental materials, with an explanation after each answer. Your first attempt is free.
Or take the full 95-question GC practice exam- 40 original Dental Materials questions, each answer explained
- 16% of the GC exam, about 15 of 95 questions
- Domain IV of DANB’s GC outline, effective July 1, 2022
Utility wax is commonly used to:
What the Dental Materials domain covers
- Impression materials: alginates, elastomerics and waxes
- Operative materials: amalgams, whitening agents, cements, composites, etchants, bonding agents, glass ionomers, sealants, post-extraction dressings, temporary restorations, liners and bases, and finishing and polishing agents
- Laboratory materials: acrylics, dental waxes and gypsum products
This list is our own summary. DANB publishes the full outline, references and acronym list in its GC Exam Outline and References.
Drill dental materials, then sit the full exam
Ten GC questions on dental materials, with an explanation after each answer. Your first attempt is free.
Or take the full 95-question GC practice examIdeas the questions test most
- Alginate is an irreversible hydrocolloid; warm water speeds its set; pour it promptly to avoid distortion.
- Zinc oxide–eugenol soothes the pulp but blocks resin setting, so it is not used under composite.
- Zinc phosphate gives off heat while setting; mix it on a cool slab over a wide area.
- Glass ionomers release fluoride and bond chemically to tooth structure.
- More water makes gypsum weaker; Type IV die stone is used for dies.
Start the free Dental Materials drill · GC mixed drill · Full 95-question GC practice exam
Common questions
Which dental materials are on the GC exam?
DANB’s GC outline lists impression materials (alginates, elastomerics, waxes), operative materials (amalgams, whitening agents, cements, composites, etchants, bonding agents, glass ionomers, sealants, post-extraction dressings, temporary restorations, liners and bases, finishing agents) and laboratory materials (acrylics, waxes, gypsum).
How much of the GC exam is Dental Materials?
16%, about 15 of the 95 questions.
Why can’t ZOE go under a composite?
Eugenol inhibits the polymerization of resin, weakening the bond and the composite. A non-eugenol liner or base is used instead.
Ten GC questions on dental materials, with an explanation after each answer. Your first attempt is free.
Or take the full 95-question GC practice examOther GC domains
Domains, weights and format from DANB, checked November 2026: DANB: General Chairside Assisting (GC) exam · DANB GC Exam Outline and References (effective 07/01/2022).
Original independent practice, written from DANB’s public exam outlines. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). DANB, RHS, ICE, CDA and Certified Dental Assistant are marks of the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.