COM Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield COM facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which of the following disorders can affect the alignment of the teeth and jaw? → Thumb sucking and mouth breathing.
2. What is the appropriate COM response when signs of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) are identified in a patient? → Refer the patient to a dentist or oral medicine specialist experienced in TMD management
3. What is peer review in COM Infection Control & Prevention? → Quality evaluation by qualified colleagues for improvement
4. What is document version control in COM? → Tracking changes, identifying current versions, and maintaining history
5. A lip-sucking habit most commonly affects which teeth first? → Upper incisors (labioversion) and lower incisors (linguoversion)
6. In clinical orofacial myofunctional practice, the 'nasal cycle' refers to: → The alternating congestion and decongestion between the two nasal passages
7. Which orofacial habit is most directly linked to the development of a unilateral posterior crossbite? → Prolonged pacifier use
8. Compared to mouth breathing, nasal breathing during rest is associated with: → Greater activation of the parasympathetic nervous system and calming effects
9. What are the five process groups in COM project management? → Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling, Closing
10. What is the COM's primary contribution to a multidisciplinary cleft palate team? → Evaluating and treating orofacial myofunctional patterns affecting speech and feeding
11. What is the primary function of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)? → To enable chewing, speaking, and swallowing.
12. What should a COM professional do upon discovering a colleague's unethical conduct? → Report through appropriate channels with proper documentation
13. How does the dental occlusion affect the orofacial complex? → It influences jaw function and risk of TMD.
14. What is the triple constraint in COM project management? → The interdependent relationship between scope, time, and cost
15. What is the first step in COM risk assessment? → Identifying potential hazards and threats
16. How is patient progress monitored during orofacial treatment? → Through clinical assessments, follow-up visits, and functional measurements.
17. Nitric oxide (NO) produced in the nasal sinuses during nasal breathing primarily functions to: → Act as a vasodilator and bronchodilator, improving oxygen uptake
18. Why is intervention during the active craniofacial growth period significant for children with myofunctional disorders? → Functional corrections during growth may positively redirect facial development
19. What does residual risk mean in COM practice? → Risk remaining after all controls are implemented
20. Mouth breathing in children has been associated with which craniofacial change over time? → Long-face syndrome with narrow arch and high palate
21. Which condition is the most common structural cause of chronic mouth breathing in pediatric patients? → Enlarged tonsils and adenoids
22. What is 'habit reversal training' primarily designed to address? → Replacing an unwanted habit with an incompatible competing response
23. When should a COM prioritize referring a pediatric patient to an ENT physician? → When structural airway obstruction is suspected as the cause of mouth breathing
24. What is the relationship between low tongue resting posture and palatal arch morphology? → Low tongue posture is associated with narrow, high-arched palates
25. Which consonant class is most affected by inadequate tongue tip elevation and contact with the alveolar ridge? → Alveolar sounds /t/, /d/, /n/, /l/
26. The primary goal of orofacial myofunctional therapy for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is to: → Strengthen oropharyngeal and tongue muscles to reduce airway collapsibility during sleep
27. How does myofunctional therapy benefit individuals with sleep apnea? → By improving tongue function to reduce airway obstruction.
28. An orofacial myologist observes that a patient's lips do not achieve passive contact at rest. This finding is called: → Lip incompetence
29. Which condition is characterized by abnormal muscle function during swallowing? → Dysphagia.
30. What is the importance of continuing education for COM professionals in Infection Control & Prevention? → Maintaining current knowledge and adapting to industry changes