ADEX Dental Hygiene Process of Care 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is the PRIMARY goal of the evaluation phase in the dental hygiene process of care?
- Documenting treatment rendered during the appointment
- Assessing whether goals established in the care plan were achieved (Correct answer)
- Identifying new chief complaints since the last visit
- Determining the next prophylaxis interval
Correct answer: Assessing whether goals established in the care plan were achieved
Evaluation compares outcomes to the goals set during care planning to determine treatment effectiveness and the need for modification.
Question 2: A patient has generalized 5–6 mm probing depths with bone loss on radiographs. After initial therapy, reassessment reveals probing depths of 3–4 mm. What does this indicate?
- Treatment failed and surgical referral is mandatory
- The patient has responded favorably and maintenance can be considered (Correct answer)
- Bone has regenerated completely
- The patient should remain on 3-month therapeutic maintenance indefinitely with no re-evaluation
Correct answer: The patient has responded favorably and maintenance can be considered
Reduction of probing depths to 3–4 mm following initial therapy indicates a positive clinical response, and the patient may transition to a supportive periodontal therapy schedule.
Question 3: A patient refuses radiographs citing radiation concerns. What is the MOST appropriate response?
- Proceed with treatment without radiographs
- Dismiss the patient from the practice
- Educate the patient on the low radiation dose and document the informed refusal if they still decline (Correct answer)
- Take the radiographs without the patient's consent to ensure proper care
Correct answer: Educate the patient on the low radiation dose and document the informed refusal if they still decline
Patient autonomy requires informed consent; educating the patient about minimal risk is appropriate, and informed refusal must be documented.
Question 4: Which type of debridement is indicated when residual calculus is detected at a 6-week re-evaluation following initial therapy?
- Prophylaxis
- Re-instrumentation (retreatment) (Correct answer)
- Gross debridement only
- Supragingival scaling only
Correct answer: Re-instrumentation (retreatment)
Residual calculus identified at re-evaluation requires re-instrumentation (retreatment) of the affected sites before progressing to supportive care.
Question 5: Which of the following constitutes an iatrogenic effect of overhanging restorations identified during dental hygiene assessment?
- Dentin sensitivity only
- Plaque retention leading to localized periodontitis (Correct answer)
- Increased salivary flow
- Accelerated tooth eruption
Correct answer: Plaque retention leading to localized periodontitis
Overhanging margins harbor plaque that cannot be removed by the patient, leading to localized periodontal inflammation and bone loss.
Question 6: A dental hygienist documents 'BOP: 40%' in the patient record. What does this percentage represent?
- Percentage of teeth with recession
- Percentage of probed sites that bled on probing (Correct answer)
- Percentage of teeth with calculus present
- Percentage of teeth with pockets ≥4 mm
Correct answer: Percentage of probed sites that bled on probing
Bleeding on probing (BOP) percentage is calculated by dividing the number of bleeding sites by the total sites probed, expressed as a percentage.
Question 7: When recording mobility for tooth #8, the clinician notes the tooth deflects 1–2 mm in a buccolingual direction. How is this documented?
- Class I mobility
- Class II mobility (Correct answer)
- Class III mobility
- Ankylosis
Correct answer: Class II mobility
Class II mobility is defined as movement of 1–2 mm in any horizontal direction.
ADEX Dental Hygiene Process of Care 4
Which of the following is the PRIMARY goal of the evaluation phase in the dental hygiene process of care?