FCPS Part 1 Dentistry MCQs by Subject: Anatomy, Pathology & Pharmacology

Sample FCPS Part 1 Dentistry MCQs from the bank's three largest subjects by question volume — Anatomy, Pathology and Pharmacology — each with the correct answer explained.

FCPS Part 1 Dentistry draws heavily on the basic sciences before it ever reaches the dental specialties. In HighYield's Dentistry question bank, Anatomy, Pathology and Pharmacology are the three largest subjects by question volume — ahead of Dentistry itself and every dental specialty subject. Below is a sample across all three.

Anatomy

1. Sensory innervation of the maxillary teeth is carried by which division of the trigeminal nerve?

A) Ophthalmic division (V1)
B) Maxillary division (V2) ✅
C) Mandibular division (V3)
D) Facial nerve (CN VII)

2. The inferior alveolar nerve, blocked during mandibular anaesthesia, is a branch of which nerve?

A) Maxillary division of trigeminal (V2)
B) Mandibular division of trigeminal (V3) ✅
C) Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
D) Facial nerve (CN VII)

Pathology

3. An immediate allergic reaction to penicillin, such as anaphylaxis, is mediated by which type of hypersensitivity?

A) Type I (IgE-mediated) ✅
B) Type II (cytotoxic)
C) Type III (immune complex)
D) Type IV (delayed/cell-mediated)

4. Granulation tissue, seen during wound healing, is characterised by proliferation of fibroblasts and which other cell/tissue element?

A) Osteoblasts
B) New capillaries (angiogenesis) ✅
C) Chondrocytes
D) Adipocytes

Pharmacology

5. Which amide local anaesthetic is most widely used for routine dental procedures?

A) Procaine
B) Lidocaine (lignocaine) ✅
C) Cocaine
D) Benzocaine

6. In a penicillin-allergic patient with a dental abscess, dental pharmacology classically favours which alternative antibiotic?

A) Clindamycin ✅
B) Ciprofloxacin
C) Gentamicin
D) Vancomycin

Why the Basic Sciences Dominate the Question Pool

It's easy to assume an FCPS Part 1 Dentistry paper is mostly about dental specialties — Prosthodontics, Orthodontics, Oral Surgery. In HighYield's own Dentistry bank, though, Anatomy, Pathology and Pharmacology alone outweigh every specialty subject combined, and they're tested at a depth that goes beyond BDS revision.

HighYield's FCPS Part 1 Dentistry question bank covers every subject in the paper, each question explained. For the full syllabus breakdown, see our FCPS Dentistry Part 1 syllabus guide, or check the most repeated FCPS Part 1 Dentistry MCQs to see which topics to prioritise. Try the first 20 questions free, no sign-in required.