AGD Clinical Skills & Patient Care in General Dentistry 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A 65-year-old patient with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes undergoes tooth extraction. Which healing complication is MOST likely compared to a non-diabetic patient?
- Excessive hemorrhage
- Delayed wound healing and increased infection risk (Correct answer)
- Allergic reaction to local anesthetic
- Accelerated bone remodeling
Correct answer: Delayed wound healing and increased infection risk
Poorly controlled diabetes impairs neutrophil function and collagen synthesis, significantly increasing the risk of delayed healing and post-operative infection.
Question 2: The purpose of a diagnostic wax-up prior to restorative treatment is to:
- Determine the final shade of ceramic restorations
- Visualize and communicate the planned final outcome before tooth preparation (Correct answer)
- Measure the patient's vertical dimension of occlusion
- Create a definitive record for insurance purposes
Correct answer: Visualize and communicate the planned final outcome before tooth preparation
A diagnostic wax-up allows the clinician and patient to preview the proposed restorative outcome, guide preparation depth, and create provisional restorations.
Question 3: When cementing a zirconia crown, which luting agent provides the highest bond strength?
- Zinc phosphate cement
- Glass ionomer cement
- Resin-modified glass ionomer
- Resin cement with MDP-containing primer (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Resin cement with MDP-containing primer
MDP (10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate) primers chemically bond to zirconia's oxide surface, providing significantly superior adhesion compared to conventional cements.
Question 4: Which OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard requirement mandates that all clinical dental staff receive hepatitis B vaccination at no cost?
- Universal Precautions Standard
- Exposure Control Plan (Correct answer)
- Hazard Communication Standard
- Personal Protective Equipment Standard
Correct answer: Exposure Control Plan
OSHA's Exposure Control Plan requires employers to offer hepatitis B vaccination to all employees with occupational exposure at no cost to the employee.
Question 5: A patient presents with bilateral TMJ clicking that disappears when the mandible is protruded before opening. This MOST likely indicates:
- Degenerative joint disease
- Anterior disc displacement with reduction (Correct answer)
- Myofascial pain dysfunction
- Anterior disc displacement without reduction
Correct answer: Anterior disc displacement with reduction
Reciprocal clicking that resolves with protrusion is pathognomonic of anterior disc displacement with reduction, where the disc recaptures during opening.
Question 6: In the treatment of a patient with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a general dentist's role is BEST described as:
- Diagnosing OSA using in-office sleep studies
- Fabricating mandibular advancement devices after physician diagnosis (Correct answer)
- Prescribing CPAP therapy as a first-line treatment
- Performing uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
Correct answer: Fabricating mandibular advancement devices after physician diagnosis
Dentists may fabricate oral appliances (mandibular advancement devices) for mild-to-moderate OSA, but diagnosis must be made by a physician.
Question 7: Which error in radiographic technique causes the roots of teeth to appear shorter than their actual length on a periapical radiograph?
- Negative vertical angulation
- Positive vertical angulation excess (Correct answer)
- Incorrect horizontal angulation
- Underexposure of the film
Correct answer: Positive vertical angulation excess
Excessive positive vertical angulation (over-angulation) causes foreshortening, making roots appear shorter than their true length.
AGD Clinical Skills & Patient Care in General Dentistry 4
A 65-year-old patient with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes undergoes tooth extraction.
Which healing complication is MOST likely compared to a non-diabetic patient?