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Veterinary Dentistry exam questions: topics, study tips and free sample questions

Updated 20 October 2026

Veterinary Dentistry on the BCSE covers dental anatomy and formulas, periodontal and endodontic disease, tooth resorption, extractions, oral surgery and species-specific dental problems.

Topics to know in dentistry

How to study dentistry for the BCSE

Free dentistry sample questions

Try these practice questions. Open each one to see the answer and the explanation. They are for study only. These are not official exam questions.

Question 1. Which salivary gland is readily palpable in a dog’s neck?

  1. Mandibular
  2. Maxillary
  3. Superficial cervical
  4. Zygomatic
  5. Parotid
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A. The mandibular salivary gland is easily palpable subcutaneously in the neck. It is larger and softer than the nearby rostrolateral mandibular lymph nodes. The sublingual and parotid salivary glands are diffusely located. The caudal (monostomatic) portion of the sublingual salivary gland abuts the mandibular salivary gland. The zygomatic gland is too deep to be easily palpated. There are no maxillary or superficial cervical salivary glands.

Question 2. Using the Triadan system for numbering teeth, which quadrant of teeth is the 100-series?

  1. Right maxillary quadrant
  2. This system is not used in veterinary medicine
  3. Left maxillary quadrant
  4. Left mandibular quadrant
  5. Right mandibular quadrant
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A. The right maxillary quadrant is the 100-series, the left maxillary quadrant is the 200- series, the left mandibular quadrant is the 300-series, and the right mandibular quadrant is the 400-series. Each tooth has a 3-digit number that starts at -O1 increases as you move caudally. For example, the first right maxillary incisor is 101 and the left mandibular canine is 304. Here is anice summary of basic dental topics courtesy of the Royal Veterinary College of London.

Question 3. A two-month-old male mixed breed puppy is presented with a fever (104°F, 40°C [N=100.2-102.5°F; 37.9-39.2°C]), crusty oculonasal discharge, labored breathing, coughing, vomiting and diarrhea, anorexia, and lethargy. The presumptive diagnosis is canine distemper virus infection. What sequelae may be seen when permanent teeth come in?

  1. Enamel hypoplasia
  2. Retained deciduous teeth
  3. Gingival hypertrophy
  4. Epulis formation
  5. Anodontia
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A. Distemper causes enamel hypoplasia in permanent teeth if the dog is infected between two weeks and three months of age. Because distemper is a systemic disease, the entire dentition is affected. If infected between late-stage gestation and two weeks postpartum, only the deciduous teeth are affected. Dr. Brett Beckman discusses dental enamel defects in dogs.

Frequently asked questions

How many dentistry questions are on the BCSE?

The exam is built from domains with published question ranges. Check the NEB overview for the current table and prepare this subject alongside the others.

How should I study dentistry for the BCSE?

Memorise the dental formulas for dogs, cats, horses and ruminants. Practise dental radiograph images. Link every condition to its treatment steps.

Where can I practise dentistry questions?

VetQ has 98 dentistry practice questions, including 16 with images, with explanations. You can try it free for 48 hours.

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