NBDHE Dental Hygiene Trivia 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Who is credited with establishing dental hygiene as a distinct profession in the United States?
- Alfred C. Fones, who trained the first dental hygienist Irene Newman in Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1906 (Correct answer)
- G.V. Black, who developed cavity classification
- Pierre Fauchard, known as the father of modern dentistry
- Horace Wells, who pioneered anesthesia
Correct answer: Alfred C. Fones, who trained the first dental hygienist Irene Newman in Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1906
Alfred C. Fones trained Irene Newman as the first dental hygienist in 1906 and established the first school of dental hygiene in 1913 in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Alfred Cyriax Fones (1869–1938) was a Connecticut dentist who believed that prevention — not just treatment — was essential to oral health. He trained his cousin Irene Newman as the first dental hygienist, performing dental prophylaxis and teaching oral hygiene to patients. In 1913, Fones established the first Dental Hygienists' School in Bridgeport, Connecticut, accepting 33 women in the inaugural class. The Bridgeport school (now the Fones School of Dental Hygiene at the University of Bridgeport) remains in operation. The first legally recognized dental hygiene practice act was passed in Connecticut in 1915. Fones is considered the 'Father of Dental Hygiene.' The Fones toothbrushing technique is named after him.
Question 2: The American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) was founded in which year?
- 1923 (Correct answer)
- 1906
- 1913
- 1950
Correct answer: 1923
The ADHA was founded in 1923 at a meeting in Cleveland, Ohio, establishing a national professional organization for dental hygienists.
The American Dental Hygienists' Association was established in 1923 in Cleveland, Ohio, to advance the profession of dental hygiene through education, advocacy, and professional standards. Key milestones: 1915 — Connecticut passes the first dental hygiene practice act; 1923 — ADHA founded; 1927 — first national dental hygiene board examination; 1953 — Journal of Dental Hygiene first published; 1975 — ADHA adopts Standards of Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice. The ADHA publishes the Code of Ethics, advocates for dental hygienist scope of practice expansion, and represents approximately 185,000 dental hygiene professionals. The ADHA mission: 'to advance the art and science of dental hygiene and to ensure access to quality oral health care for all people.'
Question 3: The Wilkins Periodontal Probe, known for its unique color-coded banding, was developed by which dental hygienist?
- Esther M. Wilkins, whose landmark textbook 'Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist' has been the standard dental hygiene reference for over 60 years (Correct answer)
- Alfred Fones
- Irene Newman
- Linda Boyd
Correct answer: Esther M. Wilkins, whose landmark textbook 'Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist' has been the standard dental hygiene reference for over 60 years
Esther M. Wilkins authored the definitive dental hygiene textbook 'Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist' (first edition 1959) and contributed significantly to dental hygiene instrumentation.
Esther M. Wilkins (1916–2016) was a dental hygienist and educator who transformed dental hygiene education. Her textbook, 'Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist,' first published in 1959 (now in its 13th edition), became the standard reference for dental hygiene education worldwide. She earned her degree from the University of Washington and taught for decades at Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists and Tufts University. Wilkins' contributions to instrumentation, patient education methodology, and evidence-based practice helped define modern dental hygiene. She was recognized with the ADHA Award of Excellence, honorary doctorates, and other tributes. The Wilkins periodontal probe and instrumentation texts bear her influence.
Question 4: Which U.S. city first implemented community water fluoridation in 1945?
- Grand Rapids, Michigan (Correct answer)
- Chicago, Illinois
- New York City, New York
- Atlanta, Georgia
Correct answer: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan became the first city in the world to fluoridate its community water supply on January 25, 1945, followed soon after by Newburgh, New York.
On January 25, 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan became the first city in the world to artificially fluoridate its municipal water supply at 1.0 ppm (now recommended at 0.7 ppm). The decision followed H. Trendley Dean's epidemiological studies demonstrating that communities with naturally occurring fluoride in water had lower rates of dental caries. The 15-year Grand Rapids study compared caries rates with neighboring Muskegon, Michigan (control) and showed dramatic reductions. This led to nationwide expansion of community water fluoridation. The CDC named community water fluoridation one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. As of 2020, approximately 73% of Americans served by community water systems receive fluoridated water.
Question 5: The concept of 'evidence-based dental hygiene practice' was significantly advanced by which landmark publication approach?
- Systematic reviews and meta-analyses published by the Cochrane Collaboration and similar organizations synthesizing RCT evidence for clinical decisions (Correct answer)
- Manufacturer-sponsored clinical reports
- Expert opinion from dental school faculty only
- Historical case series from the 1800s
Correct answer: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses published by the Cochrane Collaboration and similar organizations synthesizing RCT evidence for clinical decisions
The Cochrane Collaboration (founded 1993) established the systematic review and meta-analysis methodology that synthesizes best available evidence from RCTs, forming the foundation of evidence-based practice in dentistry and dental hygiene.
Evidence-based dental hygiene practice integrates the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values to guide treatment decisions. The Cochrane Collaboration, founded in 1993 by Iain Chalmers and others, produces high-quality systematic reviews of healthcare interventions, including oral health. The Cochrane Oral Health Group reviews evidence on fluorides, scaling protocols, periodontal treatments, and preventive interventions. In dental hygiene, evidence-based practice involves: (1) Asking clinical questions in PICO format (Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome); (2) Searching reliable databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane); (3) Appraising evidence quality; (4) Applying findings with patient-specific context; (5) Evaluating outcomes. The Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice and Journal of the American Dental Association support EBP in the profession.
Question 6: What does the acronym 'ADHA Standards of Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice' include as the five components of the dental hygiene process?
- Assessment, Dental Hygiene Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation (Correct answer)
- Screening, Treatment, Education, Referral, and Documentation
- History, Examination, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Follow-up
- Intake, Assessment, Intervention, Measurement, and Outcomes
Correct answer: Assessment, Dental Hygiene Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation
The ADHA Standards define the five-step dental hygiene process of care: Assessment, Dental Hygiene Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation — the professional framework for all dental hygiene practice.
The ADHA Standards of Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice (2016) define the dental hygiene process of care as the systematic application of the following five components: (1) Assessment — comprehensive data collection including health/dental history, vital signs, intraoral/extraoral examination, risk assessment, and diagnostic data; (2) Dental Hygiene Diagnosis — identification of actual/potential oral health problems amenable to dental hygiene intervention; (3) Planning — development of an individualized patient care plan with prioritized goals; (4) Implementation — execution of the care plan; (5) Evaluation — measurement of outcomes against goals and modification of the plan. This process applies the nursing process to dental hygiene and supports the transition of dental hygiene from task-based to competency-based professional practice. It is the framework for the NBDHE and all dental hygiene curricula.
NBDHE Dental Hygiene Trivia 2
Who is credited with establishing dental hygiene as a distinct profession in the United States?