DANB CDA Oral Pathology and Dental Emergencies Flashcards

Dry socket (alveolar osteitis) most commonly occurs in which situation?

Answer: After mandibular molar extractions, especially in smokers

Dry socket occurs when the blood clot is dislodged or fails to form, and it is most common after mandibular third molar extractions, particularly in tobacco users and women on oral contraceptives.

What is the dental assistant's role during an anaphylactic reaction in the office?

Answer: Activate EMS, assist with epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen), position patient supine, and monitor airway

Anaphylaxis is life-threatening; the dental assistant must call 911, retrieve the emergency kit (epinephrine), help administer the EpiPen, position the patient supine, and maintain airway until EMS arrives.

Erythroplakia is significant in oral pathology because it:

Answer: Has a higher rate of malignant transformation than leukoplakia

Erythroplakia (red mucosal lesion) carries a significantly higher risk of dysplasia and malignant transformation than leukoplakia, making biopsy and immediate evaluation essential.

A patient on warfarin (Coumadin) therapy presents for an extraction. The dental team should:

Answer: Consult with the patient's physician and assess INR levels before proceeding

Warfarin is an anticoagulant that increases bleeding risk; the dentist must consult the patient's physician and check the INR level (ideally ≤3.5) before performing extractions.

Which oral lesion is most commonly associated with HIV infection and presents as white, corrugated plaques on the lateral borders of the tongue that cannot be wiped off?

Answer: Hairy leukoplakia

Hairy leukoplakia, caused by Epstein-Barr virus, presents as white, corrugated (hairy) plaques on the lateral tongue borders and is strongly associated with immunosuppression, especially HIV.

What is the emergency management of a patient experiencing a hypoglycemic episode (low blood sugar) in the dental office?

Answer: Provide a fast-acting carbohydrate (orange juice, glucose tablets) if the patient is conscious

If the patient is conscious and can swallow, administer 15–20g of fast-acting carbohydrate (juice, glucose gel, candy); if unconscious, call 911 and administer glucagon per emergency protocol.