NBDHE Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. What class of dental product includes Listerine and Scope? → Mouthwash
2. A periapical radiograph showing a well-defined radiolucency with a sclerotic border at the apex of a vital tooth is MOST likely: → Periapical cemento-osseous dysplasia (early stage)
3. Secondary prevention in dentistry is best illustrated by: → Early detection and treatment of incipient gingivitis
4. The Bass toothbrushing technique is most effective at removing plaque from: → The gingival sulcus and margin
5. What is the PURPOSE of an external chemical indicator (Type 1 process indicator) placed on a sterilization package? → Confirms that the package was exposed to the sterilization process
6. Erythroplakia is clinically significant because it has a higher malignant transformation rate than which lesion? → Leukoplakia
7. Which oral lesion appears as a white, non-removable plaque on the oral mucosa that cannot be attributed to any other known disease? → Leukoplakia
8. Which item is classified as 'semicritical' in the Spaulding classification system? → Reusable impression tray
9. Kaposi's sarcoma in the oral cavity appears most frequently on which structure? → Hard palate and gingiva
10. 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
11. Fluoride can be found in what sources? → Water
12. OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requires employers to offer hepatitis B vaccination to: → Employees with potential occupational exposure to blood or OPIM
13. The primary purpose of the lead apron with thyroid collar in dental radiography is to: → Protect radiosensitive tissues — gonads and thyroid — from scatter radiation
14. When calculating the sensitivity of a diagnostic test for periodontitis, which value represents the percentage of people WITH the disease who test positive? → True positive / (True positive + False negative) × 100
15. Which systemic condition is associated with gingival fibromatosis and multiple odontomas? → Gardner syndrome
16. The Snyder test measures which property of saliva? → Cariogenic potential via acid production from glucose
17. Which instrument is used to condense amalgam into a prepared cavity? → Amalgam condenser (plugger)
18. The Silness and Löe plaque index scores plaque based on: → Thickness of plaque at the gingival margin
19. Professionally applied fluoride varnish provides caries protection primarily through: → A sustained topical fluoride reservoir on tooth surfaces
20. A smooth, red, painful area on the dorsal tongue caused by atrophy of filiform papillae is characteristic of which condition? → Median rhomboid glossitis
21. What is the most common oral malignancy? → Squamous cell carcinoma
22. Which sealant material is most commonly used for pit-and-fissure sealants in permanent molars? → Resin-based composite sealant
23. How frequently does the CDC recommend biological (spore) monitoring of dental sterilizers? → Weekly
24. Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune condition characterized by a positive Nikolsky sign and: → Intraepithelial flaccid bullae that rupture easily
25. Which condition is characterized by a painful, recurrent ulceration on the oral mucosa with a yellow-gray pseudomembrane and an erythematous halo? → Aphthous ulcer
26. Hairy leukoplakia, associated with Epstein-Barr virus, is most commonly found in patients with which condition? → HIV/AIDS
27. What is the drug of choice for managing dental pain in a patient who is pregnant (second trimester)? → Acetaminophen (paracetamol) at recommended doses
28. A patient taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for depression is at increased risk for which dental treatment complication? → Increased bleeding tendency due to impaired platelet serotonin uptake and aggregation
29. What is the titanium object that appears like a tooth and is used? → Dental implant
30. Which locally delivered controlled-release antibiotic device is FDA-approved for adjunctive use in periodontal pockets ≥5 mm? → Doxycycline hyclate 10% polymer gel (Atridox) and minocycline microspheres (Arestin)