Oral Medicine and Pathology questions for the ADC written exam.
Oral Medicine and Pathology in the Australian Dental Council written examination covers the recognition, diagnosis and management of oral mucosal disease, jaw cysts and tumours, salivary gland disorders and the oral signs of systemic disease. Overseas-qualified dentists are expected to interpret clinical and histopathological descriptions and know when to biopsy or refer.
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541
oral medicine and pathology practice questions
- 21%
- of the exam
- 8
- subtopics
- Oct 2026
- updated
Inside this topic.
The subtopics our oral medicine and pathology questions cover.
- Diagnosis
- Pathology
- Management
- Histology
- Oncology
- TMD
- Clinical Exam
- Risk Assessment
Key facts to remember.
High-yield oral medicine and pathology points to revise before the exam.
- 1
Odontogenic keratocysts have a relatively high recurrence rate, and multiple keratocysts are associated with naevoid basal cell carcinoma (Gorlin) syndrome.
- 2
Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common salivary gland tumour and most often arises in the parotid gland.
- 3
Oral lichen planus typically presents as bilateral white lace-like (Wickham's) striae on the buccal mucosa and carries a small risk of malignant transformation.
- 4
The radicular (periapical) cyst is the most common odontogenic cyst and is always associated with a non-vital tooth.
- 5
Ameloblastoma is a locally aggressive benign odontogenic tumour, most common in the posterior mandible, often seen as a multilocular soap-bubble radiolucency.
Sample questions with answers.
10 practice questions for the ADC Written Exam - General Dentistry (Official Blueprint) - Australia (Oral Medicine and Pathology). Pick an answer to see if you're right, with a full explanation.
Question 1
Which microorganism is MOST associated?
Question 2
Which condition is MOST commonly associated with oral lichen planus?
Question 3
When should definitive periodontal therapy occur?
Question 4
Which antibody is primarily involved?
Question 5
Which complication may occur if untreated?
Question 6
What is the risk of malignant transformation in oral lichen planus?
Question 7
Why is dentin hypersensitivity common in erosion?
Question 8
Which oral finding is MOST expected?
Question 9
Is long-term follow-up required?
Question 10
What is the MOST appropriate initial management?
Other topics in this exam.
Questions, answered
Organise lesions by radiographic appearance and position, for example unilocular or multilocular, pericoronal or periapical, and radiolucent, mixed or radiopaque. For each, learn the typical age, site, vitality of the related teeth and key histological feature, such as the corrugated parakeratinised lining of an odontogenic keratocyst. This pattern-based approach matches how lesions are usually described in written questions.
Learn the oral features of iron, folate and vitamin B12 deficiency (angular cheilitis, glossitis, ulceration), diabetes (periodontal disease, candidiasis), HIV (oral hairy leukoplakia, Kaposi sarcoma), Crohn's disease (cobblestone mucosa, lip swelling) and Addison's disease (mucosal pigmentation). Drug-induced changes, such as gingival enlargement with phenytoin, ciclosporin and calcium channel blockers, are also important. Recognising these links helps with both diagnosis and referral questions.
Ready to practise oral medicine and pathology?
All 541 oral medicine and pathology questions, with explanations and a readiness score for this topic.