MEMBERSHIP OF THE FACULTY OF DENTAL SURGERY
PART 1 EXAMINATION - OCTOBER 2014 DIET
SAMPLE MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
This paper consists of 200 multiple choice questions: approximately 170 in ‘best of five’ format and
approximately 30 in ‘case cluster’ format. There are equal marks for each question. The
examination lasts 3 hours.
The candidate guidance and information on the multiple choice questions given below should be
read in conjunction with the ‘Guidance to Candidates for Part 1 and Part 2’ available on College
Websites.
Guidance to candidates
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There are equal marks for each question.
Marks are not deducted for an incorrect answer: you should attempt all questions.
You will not gain a mark if you make an entry in more than one box for the same question.
The answer sheets are scanned by machine. If you do not enter your answer clearly in
accordance with the guidelines given below, the machine may reject it.
Faint entries in the boxes on the answer sheet may be misread, resulting in no mark being
given for that question.
You may wish to enter your answers on the question paper first and then transfer them to the
answer sheet later. However, you must allow sufficient time to transfer your answers before
the end of the examination, as extra time will not be given to do this.
You should check that each page of your question paper has been correctly printed.
Instructions to Candidates
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Do not make any marks on your answer sheet other than inserting your candidate number and
indicating your answers with a bold horizontal line in the boxes provided.
Use only the pencil provided. Do not use pen or ballpoint.
If you need to change an answer, make sure that you rub it out completely so that the machine
can accept your final answer.
Do not fold or crease the sheet.
Single best answer (SBA) – best of five format
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There will normally be 170 questions in best of five format.
Each question contains five possible answers, only one of which is the single best answer.
After reading a statement, you should decide which option from the list is the single best
answer.
When you are satisfied with your decision, you should record your answer on the answer
sheet.
In the example below, the answer is A. You would record your answer by making a heavy
black mark in pencil in the box labelled A on line 76, as shown.
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Example single best answer question
76
A 58-year-old man is attending your surgery for extraction of his upper right canine and
lateral incisor and his upper left second premolar and first molar, with insertion of an
immediate partial denture. After extracting the teeth, you attempt to insert the denture but
are unable to seat it. What is the most likely cause of this problem?
A
B
C
D
E
Bony undercut not blocked out 
Distortion of tissues by local anaesthetic
Failure to use a soft lining material
Porosity introduced during processing of acrylic
Post-extraction swelling
Case cluster format
 There will be a maximum of six clinical cases, each presented with up to five questions relating
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to that case.
You should read the reference material provided before you read the questions.
Each question contains five possible answers, only one of which is the correct answer.
Once you have decided on the most appropriate option, mark it on your answer sheet by
making a heavy black mark in pencil in the box containing the letter of the option you have
chosen, following the example given below.
You should mark only the option that you believe to be correct.
In the example given, the answer is B. You would record your answer by making a heavy black
mark in pencil in the box labelled B on line 101, as shown.
Example case cluster question
Reference material for questions 101 to 105
Please read the reference material attached, adapted from a paper entitled “Title of paper”.
Authors’ names. Title of journal; year of publication; edition number: pages.
Note: The content of reference material will normally consist of information under a series of
headings, such as those listed below, and may include data or statistics in table format.
Introduction
Objective
Methods
Results
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For each question below, select the single best answer.
101.
Which of the following is a weakness of a cohort study?
A.
B.
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D.
E.
Confounding factors cannot be accounted for
It is typically retrospective in nature
The results cannot be analysed statistically
There can be no blinding
There can be no randomisation
102. Which is the single most important general health inclusion criterion that would need to be
controlled for in this study?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Asthma
Diabetes
Obesity
Pneumonia
Previous orthodontic treatment
103. Which form of bias have the researchers endeavoured to eliminate?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Assessment bias
Non-response bias
Publication bias
Recall bias
Sampling bias
104. Identify the significant difference to differentiate between a meta-analysis and a
systematic review.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Analysis of original data
Consensus group statement
Literature search
Quality assessed information
Review of randomised controlled trials
105. In this study, what results are clinically significant?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Gestational age at delivery
Neonatal death
None of the results
Pre-term birth
Still birth
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