DANB Dental Anatomy and Oral Health Assessment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does a periodontal probe measure during an oral examination?
- The length of the tooth root
- The depth of the gingival sulcus or periodontal pocket (Correct answer)
- Occlusal bite force
- Pulp vitality
Correct answer: The depth of the gingival sulcus or periodontal pocket
A periodontal probe measures sulcus or pocket depth in millimeters to assess the health of the supporting structures around each tooth.
Question 2: Which periodontal condition involves gingival inflammation WITHOUT bone loss?
- Periodontitis
- Gingivitis (Correct answer)
- Pericoronitis
- Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG)
Correct answer: Gingivitis
Gingivitis is limited to inflammation of the gingival soft tissue with no destruction of supporting bone, making it fully reversible with proper oral hygiene.
Question 3: What does 'furcation involvement' indicate in a periodontal assessment?
- Proximal caries between two adjacent teeth
- Bone loss extending into the area where root branches divide (Correct answer)
- Recession of the marginal gingiva
- Hypersensitivity of the tooth root
Correct answer: Bone loss extending into the area where root branches divide
Furcation involvement means that bone loss has progressed into the furcation area where multi-rooted teeth divide, indicating advanced periodontal disease.
Question 4: During an oral cancer screening, the dental assistant should look for:
- Occlusal wear patterns on posterior teeth
- Unexplained red or white patches, ulcers, or lumps in the oral cavity (Correct answer)
- Carious lesions on the occlusal surface
- Changes in tooth shade or color
Correct answer: Unexplained red or white patches, ulcers, or lumps in the oral cavity
Oral cancer screening involves identifying suspicious lesions such as leukoplakia (white), erythroplakia (red), persistent ulcers, and unexplained lumps or indurated areas.
Question 5: What is the primary diagnostic use of a dental explorer during an examination?
- To measure gingival pocket depth
- To detect caries, calculus deposits, and surface irregularities (Correct answer)
- To apply topical anesthetic to the gingiva
- To record the patient's blood pressure
Correct answer: To detect caries, calculus deposits, and surface irregularities
The explorer's sharp tip catches on soft decayed tooth structure and rough calculus deposits, helping detect caries and surface defects.
Question 6: Which periodontal finding is considered within NORMAL limits?
- 5 mm pocket depth with bleeding on probing
- 2 mm probing depth with no bleeding on probing (Correct answer)
- Visible subgingival calculus deposits
- Grade II tooth mobility
Correct answer: 2 mm probing depth with no bleeding on probing
A probing depth of 1–3 mm with no bleeding on probing indicates a healthy gingival sulcus and normal periodontal attachment.
DANB Dental Anatomy and Oral Health Assessment 2
What does a periodontal probe measure during an oral examination?