1. Caries & restorative viva questions
• “How do you diagnose reversible vs irreversible pulpitis?”
Reversible: short cold pain, no lingering. Irreversible: lingering pain, spontaneous pain, or night pain.
• “When do you replace a restoration?”
When there is recurrent decay, marginal breakdown, open contact, or functional failure.
• “What is your first step when planning a class II composite?”
Check contacts, place matrix/wedge, isolate, then remove decay conservatively.
2. Periodontal viva questions
• “What defines periodontitis?”
Clinical attachment loss, pocketing, and radiographic bone loss.
• “What is the first-line treatment for periodontitis?”
Oral hygiene instruction and scaling/root planing.
• “When do you refer for surgery?”
Persistent deep pockets after non-surgical therapy and re-evaluation.
3. Endodontic viva questions
• “How do you confirm necrotic pulp?”
No response to vitality tests + radiographic periapical changes.
• “What does a widening PDL space indicate?”
Possible early apical periodontitis or occlusal trauma.
• “When do you extract instead of RCT?”
Non-restorable tooth, vertical root fracture, or severe periodontal loss.
4. Local anesthesia viva questions
• “What is the most important safety step before injection?”
Aspiration to avoid intravascular injection.
• “What anesthetic for cardiac-risk patients?”
Use minimal-epi or plain mepivacaine depending on stability.
• “What causes failed IAN block?”
Poor landmarking, shallow depth, or accessory innervation.
5. Medical emergency viva questions
• “What is first-line treatment for anaphylaxis?”
IM epinephrine + oxygen + activate EMS.
• “How do you manage hypoglycemia?”
Give oral glucose if conscious; if unconscious, no oral intake and call EMS.
• “How do you treat angina in the chair?”
Nitroglycerin, oxygen, rest; EMS if unresolved.
6. Infection control viva questions
• “What is the correct PPE sequence?”
On: gown → mask → eye protection → gloves. Off: gloves → hand hygiene → eye protection → gown → mask.
• “What breaks cross-contamination control?”
Touching charts or surfaces with contaminated gloves.
• “When do you avoid oxygen?”
Hyperventilation—provide reassurance, slow breathing.
7. High-yield ADEX communication viva questions
• “How do you explain risks to a patient?”
Use simple language: describe risk → likelihood → how you minimize it.
• “What makes consent valid?”
Understanding, voluntariness, discussion of risks/benefits/alternatives.
• “How do you handle an anxious patient?”
Slow pace, reassure, explain steps, check comfort throughout.
8. Fast memory points
- Short, structured answers score highest.
- Always choose safe, conservative treatment.
- Use diagnosis → plan → re-evaluation.
- Do not over-treat or skip medical safety steps.
- Clarity and confidence = higher viva scores.
How DentAIstudy helps
Study Builder can generate:
- Viva question sets with model answers.
- Flashcards for quick ADEX recall.
- Scenario-based prompts for OSCE reasoning.
- Short structured explanations to memorize safely.
References
- ADEX Candidate Manual – Viva and OSCE expectations.
- Common OSCE viva frameworks used in dental schools.