What is the definition of a “focal trough”?

During periodontal debridement, the tip of the ultrasonic scaler cuts the client’s tongue resulting in a minor laceration and minimal bleeding. What should the dental hygienist do next?

How can a dental hygienist determine the success of previous dental hygiene intervention?

What is the purpose of subgingival lavage during non-surgical periodontal therapy with ultrasonic instrumentation?

What is the general appearance of an overexposed intraoral radiographic film?

Which of the following is the correct way to position a client for a dental panoramic radiograph?

Mr. Leduc, 65 years old, presents with dull, intermittent pain on the maxillary right side of his mouth. He reports sensitivity to hot beverages and to applied pressure. Radiographs reveal a radiolucency at the apex of tooth 17. Which one of the following pathologies is associated with these manifestations?

What is the ideal length of time for the periodontal dressing to remain in place following a free gingival graft surgery?

Mr. Wyett, 66 years old, presents for his 6 month continuing care appointment. He began taking isoniazid (Laniazid) for the treatment of tuberculosis last week. He also reports a weight loss of 5 kg, night sweats, and a productive cough for the last 2 months. What should the dental hygienist do next?

What is the primary objective for developing a periodic chart audit program in the dental office?

The dental hygienist is debriding quadrant 1 on a client with generalized Stage III Grade B periodontitis. The tissue is inflamed around the mesial surface of tooth 14. What anatomical feature should the dental hygienist consider when debriding this area?

Mrs. Martin, 35 years old, visits the dental hygienist for the first time in 5 years. Her gingiva is pink, firm, and resilient, and there is an absence of bleeding on probing. The only remarkable observation is that the facial and lingual aspects of interdental papillae, especially in the posterior region, have straight-line cuts that extend from the gingival margin toward the mucogingival junction. Which one of the following reasons is the most likely primary etiological factor for this observation?

Ms. Rioux, 68 years old, presents with root erosion and sensitivity on the facial surfaces of teeth 25, 26, and 27. She habitually “sucks hard candies” to relieve a dry mouth caused by her prescribed medication. The dental hygienist advises use of sugar-free candies and nightly application of topical fluoride to the sensitive areas. At the continuing care appointment, which one of the following assessment methods should the dental hygienist use to evaluate the success of these recommendations?

What is the benefit of daily oral self care around a dental implant?

Which one of the following recommendations should the dental hygienist provide to a client as she is applying a professional topical fluoride?

Mr. Halabisky, 69 years old, received an inferior alveolar nerve block injection prior to periodontal debridement. The chair is returned to the upright position while Mr. Halabisky waits for the anesthetic to take effect. He reports dizziness and a feeling of nausea. The dental hygienist notes that Mr. Halabisky’s face is pale and cold, and he has begun to sweat. What is this client most likely experiencing?

1. Mrs. Green, 43 years old, arrives for her initial dental hygiene appointment. The dental hygienist reviews her health history but is having difficulty understanding some of her responses because she uses an electronic speech device for communicating. What should the dental hygienist do to ensure that all relevant information has been obtained?

Naseep, 17 years old, has developed 4 new carious lesions since his previous 6 month continuing care appointment. What should the dental hygienist include in the care plan for Naseep?

Kara, a recently graduated dental hygienist, is uncertain about how to maintain the slow speed handpiece, which is at least 6 years old, in her new practice. How should Kara proceed?

A supervisor of a local shelter for homeless men has requested assistance in promoting oral health care. The dental hygienist determines that a team of volunteer nurses works at the shelter for a total of 6 hours per week and that a fund of $100 is available for this project. Which one of the following actions by the dental hygienist would best address the supervisor’s request?

Mr. Pelletier, 85 years old, has mild hypertension and reports dental sensitivity in sextant 1, requiring the use of local anesthesia. What should the dental hygienist do prior to periodontal debridement?

Kelly, 14 years old, presents with congenitally missing maxillary lateral incisors. What type of dental anomaly does Kelly exhibit?

In a rural school, the dental hygienist has set up portable dental equipment in a basement classroom to provide dental hygiene care for all students. James, 13 years old, has spina bifida and uses a wheelchair with a back brace. There is no wheelchair access to the basement. What should the dental hygienist do to ensure James receives dental hygiene care?

Dawn, 15 years old, inquires about pit and fissure sealants. Which one of the following factors should the dental hygienist identify as the most important criterion for determining the need for sealants?

When assessing the radiograph, what conclusion can be drawn?

Mrs. Ng, 67 years old, has been diagnosed with osteoporosis. She smokes, drinks coffee and alcohol, and wears a partial mandibular denture. What should the dental hygienist expect to find upon examining Mrs. Ng?

Mr. Carney, 66 years old, is visually impaired and has a guide dog. What should the dental hygienist do regarding the guide dog during Mr. Carney's continuing care appointment?

1. Mr. Mendon, 21 years old, presents with gingival hyperplasia and minimal dental biofilm. He has end-stage renal disease and received a kidney transplant in the last year. What information should the dental hygienist consider with respect to Mr. Mendon’s drug therapy?

1. Mr. Watson, 66 years old, presents with an upper respiratory infection and a history of emphysema. Which of the following actions should the dental hygienist take?

1. Ms. Jones, 44 years old, contacted the dental office the day after she received an inferior alveolar nerve block for periodontal debridement in quadrant 4. She reports jaw pain and cannot open her mouth without discomfort. What instructions are best to provide to Ms. Jones?

1. The dental hygienist suggests to 5 years old Yin and his mother that his teeth be brushed twice daily. The dental hygienist provides them with a colorful calendar to record Yin’s tooth brushing frequency. What learning principle is the dental hygienist using to help Yim learn a new oral self care technique?

1. Sasha, 16 years old, presents for her initial dental hygiene appointment. Radiographs reveal crestal bone between teeth 26 and 27 is 4 mm apical to the cementoenamel junction (CEJ). The crestal bone between teeth 11 and 21 is 4 mm apical to the CEJ and 2 mm between teeth 46 and 47. What should Sasha’s periodontal status?

Which one of the following parafunctional habits should be documented in this child's chart?

In keeping with infection prevention protocols, how should the dental hygienist deal with the dental unit light handles?

A client reports that he has avoided dental hygiene care for the past 10 years because he felt the previous dental hygienist was critical on his oral self care practices. The dental hygienist has completed the assessment phase of dental hygiene care. What is the best indicator that the client is satisfied with his care?

1. After locating the infraorbital foramen, what steps should the dental hygienist take to prepare for the insertion and deposition of local anesthetic for an infraorbital nerve block?

Ms. Raven, 20 years old, is a new client. She states her primary concern is, “after 3 years of wearing braces in my teens, my lower front teeth have moved and are now crowded again”. What is the most likely explanation for Ms. Raven’s current crowding?

1. Ms. Gardner, 40 years old, was recently involved in a motor vehicle collision which resulted in a severely fractured right arm, fractured ribs and paralysis on the left side of her body. Ms. Gardner is still very motivated to maintain good oral health, and requests the dental hygienist’s help in redesigning her oral self care regimen. What is the best course of action for the dental hygienist to take when developing Ms. Gardner’s oral self care plan?

1. Cara, 17 years old, has been late for five appointments. When Cara arrives, she says to the dental hygienist, “I don’t want any lectures about flossing!” The Bleeding Points Index indicates a total of 20 bleeding points. How should the dental hygienist record this information in the chart?

Diagnostic tests reveal that Mr. Lindsay, 73 years old, has a predominance of gram-negative bacteria in his periodontal pockets. What conclusion should the dental hygienist draw?

What instrumentation criterion needs to be followed when using a power driven scaler?

When requiring local anesthesia for periodontal debridement of the maxillary right posterior sextant, which of the following nerves will need to be anesthetized?

At the previous 4 month continuing care appointment, the dental hygienist recommended the use of a powered toothbrush for 66 year old Mrs. Louks. Which one of the following measures should indicate the success of this intervention?

1. Mrs. Stokich, 53 years old, presents for her 6 month continuing care appointment. She informed the dental hygienist that she resumed her smoking habit to “calm her nerves” following her husband’s recent dearth. Mrs. Stokich’s periodontal status has worsened. What is most important for the dental hygienist to discuss with Mrs. Stokich?

The dental hygienist has taken a periapical radiograph of the maxillary canine on a client presenting with a large palatine torus. Upon viewing the film, the dental hygienist notes the teeth appear shortened with blunted roots. Still using the paralleling technique, how should the dental hygienist correct this error?

Mrs. Isselhardt, 27 years old, is 4 months pregnant. The dental hygienist notes a soft, deep red, pedunculated, 4x4 mm mass with a shiny surface on the buccal gingiva between teeth 12 and 13. Which one of the following terms best describes this condition?

What landmark is located inferior to the apices of teeth 31 and 41 and shows on the following periapical radiograph as a circular radiopacity?

What is the most likely to lead to improved oral self care for the average 15 year old male client?

What part of the curet is the best indicator of appropriate blade adaptation and angulation for subgingival debridement?

Ms. Vernino, 52 years old, presents for her 6 months continuing care appointment. She states she has had a recurrence of breast cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. Which one of the following reasons would be grounds for the dental hygienist to postpone periodontal debridement?

Randy, 14 years old, participates in many sports. He has a sports mouthguard, but his mother reports that he seldom wears it. She asks the dental hygienist to convince Randy to use it. Which one of the following strategies would be most effective in this situation?

What professionally applied topical fluoride is recommended for a client with porcelain crowns?

In order to obtain informed consent, what information is the most important to provide to the client prior to proceeding with treatment?

What assessment finding could be indicative of a parafunctional habit?

Ms. Hertzel, 38 years old, reports recurring sensitivity following initial desensitizing therapy. What should the dental hygienist do next?

A dental hygienist documents a white lesion on the buccal mucosa next to tooth 46. The client states that this tooth has been very painful for the last 2 weeks. What is the most likely cause of the lesion?

Following administration of a posterior superior alveolar injection, the dental hygienist notices the formation of a hematoma at the injection site. What is the most likely cause of this complication?

A client has recently been diagnosed with hepatitis C. Which one of the following systemic functions will be compromised for this client?

1. The mother discusses her son’s favorite treats with the dental hygienist. Which one of the following items poses the greatest risk for dental caries for Hugo?

Which of the following is an appropriate strategy for encouraging a child to cooperate during a dental appointment?

1. The dental hygienist determines that Hugo could benefit from improved dental biofilm control. What strategy should the dental hygienist use?

What is the most likely cause of Brittany’s reported dental sensitivity?

What question should the dental hygienist ask Brittany about her antidepressant drug therapy?

What is the most likely cause of Brittany’s intraoral assessment findings?

Based on the epidemiology statistics, Ms. Hilroy is at highest risk for what disease?

What dental material is the best choice to treat Ms. Hilroy’s Class V carious lesions?

Twenty-four hours after the initial assessment and oral self care instruction, Ms. Hilroy presents with multiple painful oral lesions. What is the most likely cause of these oral manifestations?

What is the clinical attachment level of the facial aspect of tooth 16?

While debriding the areas of furcation involvement, what principle of positioning should take priority?

Ms. Stenn’s dental hygiene care plan included oral self care instruction, ultrasonic and hand debridement, selective coronal polish, and desensitizing treatment with fluoride varnish. She has been placed on a 3 month continuing care interval. What is missing from this dental hygiene care plan?

What is a prime example of promoting wellness through healthy public policy with this target population?

What is the major barrier when implementing a weekly fluoride mouthrinse program in school for this target group?

What must be considered when planning oral self care instruction for this target group?