Dental Hygiene MCQ Flashcards

Dental plaque is best defined as:

Answer: A structured, microbially diverse biofilm that adheres to tooth surfaces and soft tissues and resists removal by rinsing

Dental plaque is a complex, organized biofilm community embedded in an extracellular matrix that adheres firmly to tooth surfaces and cannot be removed by rinsing — only mechanical disruption.

The role of the dental hygienist during a medical emergency in the dental office is to:

Answer: Provide basic life support (BLS), assist the dentist, call emergency services (911), and manage the emergency within their training until EMS arrives

All dental team members must be trained in BLS/CPR; the DH activates EMS, assists with emergency medications, performs CPR, uses the AED, and supports the dentist throughout the emergency.

Which surface of teeth shows the highest plaque scores in patients who are not motivated to practice oral hygiene?

Answer: Interproximal (proximal) surfaces and the gingival margin on all surfaces

Interproximal surfaces and areas near the gingival margin accumulate the most plaque because toothbrush bristles have limited access — these are also the most common sites for both caries and periodontal disease initiation.

Periodontal probing should be performed at how many sites per tooth for a comprehensive periodontal assessment?

Answer: 6 sites — mesiobuccal, midbuccal, distobuccal, mesiolingual, midlingual, distolingual

A full-mouth periodontal chart records 6 sites per tooth (mesiobuccal, buccal, distobuccal, distolingual, lingual, mesiolingual), providing comprehensive assessment of pocket depth and attachment level distribution.

Which of the following is considered a modifiable risk factor for periodontal disease?

Answer: Cigarette smoking

Cigarette smoking is the strongest modifiable risk factor for periodontal disease; smokers have 2–7× higher risk and worse treatment outcomes than non-smokers, but cessation improves periodontal prognosis.

The term 'ergonomics' in dental hygiene practice refers to:

Answer: The science of designing the work environment and work practices to minimize physical stress and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries in the clinician

Ergonomics applies biomechanical principles to the clinical workspace to reduce musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) — the leading occupational health concern for dental hygienists.