NBDHE NBDHE Patient Education and Preventive Dentistry 3

Question 1

Motivational interviewing in patient education is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A collaborative conversation that strengthens patient motivation for behavior change

Answer

Motivational interviewing is a patient-centered, collaborative counseling style that elicits and strengthens patients' own motivation and commitment to changing behavior.

Question 2

The Silness and Löe plaque index scores plaque based on:

Accepted Answer

Thickness of plaque at the gingival margin

Answer

The Silness and Löe plaque index uses a 0–3 scale based on the thickness of plaque at the gingival margin, detected by running a probe along the tooth surface.

Question 3

Chlorhexidine gluconate is the most effective antiplaque mouthrinse primarily because of its:

Accepted Answer

High substantivity allowing sustained release

Answer

Chlorhexidine's high substantivity means it binds to oral surfaces and is slowly released over hours, maintaining prolonged antimicrobial activity after rinsing.

Question 4

The single strongest predictor of a patient's future caries risk is:

Accepted Answer

Past caries experience

Answer

Past caries experience is the most reliable predictor of future caries because it reflects the patient's overall susceptibility, microbial environment, and oral hygiene habits.

Question 5

Essential oil mouthrinses such as Listerine reduce plaque and gingivitis by:

Accepted Answer

Disrupting bacterial cell walls to kill microorganisms

Answer

Essential oil rinses contain thymol, eucalyptol, menthol, and methyl salicylate, which penetrate and disrupt bacterial cell walls, reducing plaque and gingivitis.

NBDHE Test Practice Test

NBDHE Test Practice Test

NBDHE NBDHE Patient Education and Preventive Dentistry 3