ADEX Dental Hygiene Process of Care 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During implementation, a patient with dentinal hypersensitivity requests relief. Which in-office treatment is MOST evidence-based for immediate desensitization?
- Application of 5% sodium fluoride varnish (Correct answer)
- Polishing with coarse prophy paste
- Prescribing a chlorhexidine rinse
- Performing air-powder polishing
Correct answer: Application of 5% sodium fluoride varnish
5% sodium fluoride varnish occlude dentinal tubules and is among the most effective in-office treatments for dentinal hypersensitivity.
Question 2: A patient presents with a 3 mm attached gingiva zone in the mandibular anterior region. What is the clinical significance of this finding?
- It indicates mucogingival deficiency requiring immediate surgery
- It is within normal range and requires monitoring only (Correct answer)
- It confirms Stage III periodontitis
- It necessitates immediate referral for graft surgery
Correct answer: It is within normal range and requires monitoring only
A 3 mm zone of attached gingiva is considered adequate; the minimum for health is generally accepted as 1–2 mm.
Question 3: Which scaling instrument is MOST appropriate for removing calculus from the lingual surfaces of mandibular anterior teeth?
- Columbia 13/14 universal curette (Correct answer)
- Gracey 11/12
- Sickle scaler H6/H7
- Gracey 7/8
Correct answer: Columbia 13/14 universal curette
The Columbia 13/14 universal curette is designed for all tooth surfaces and is commonly used on lingual surfaces of anterior teeth.
Question 4: A patient's blood pressure reading is 158/96 mmHg at the start of the appointment. Per AHA guidelines, what is the MOST appropriate action?
- Proceed with treatment as normal
- Recheck in 5 minutes and consult before performing elective procedures (Correct answer)
- Immediately call emergency services
- Dismiss the patient and reschedule
Correct answer: Recheck in 5 minutes and consult before performing elective procedures
A reading in the Stage 2 hypertension range (≥140/90) warrants re-evaluation and medical consultation before elective dental hygiene treatment.
Question 5: Which of the following BEST describes the activation phase of a stroke during hand instrumentation?
- Inserting the instrument to the base of the pocket with the toe closed
- Applying lateral pressure and moving the instrument coronally against the tooth (Correct answer)
- Adapting the toe-third of the blade to the tooth surface
- Stabilizing with a fulcrum before instrument insertion
Correct answer: Applying lateral pressure and moving the instrument coronally against the tooth
The working stroke involves lateral pressure against the deposit while moving the instrument coronally to dislodge calculus.
Question 6: When educating a patient about the Bass toothbrushing technique, what is the correct angulation of the brush to the long axis of the tooth?
- 0 degrees (parallel)
- 45 degrees (Correct answer)
- 90 degrees (perpendicular)
- 30 degrees
Correct answer: 45 degrees
The Bass technique requires placing the brush at a 45-degree angle to the long axis of the tooth to direct bristles into the sulcus.
Question 7: A patient presents with white, cottage-cheese-like lesions on the tongue and buccal mucosa that wipe off, leaving an erythematous base. Which condition is MOST likely?
- Leukoplakia
- Oral candidiasis (thrush) (Correct answer)
- Lichen planus
- Aphthous ulcer
Correct answer: Oral candidiasis (thrush)
Pseudomembranous candidiasis (thrush) presents as removable white plaques leaving a red, raw surface when wiped.
ADEX Dental Hygiene Process of Care 3
During implementation, a patient with dentinal hypersensitivity requests relief.
Which in-office treatment is MOST evidence-based for immediate desensitization?