Dental Hygiene MCQ Flashcards

Fones (circular) toothbrushing technique is best recommended for:

Answer: Children learning to brush due to its simplicity, using large circular strokes on buccal surfaces with teeth occluded

The Fones (circular) technique is ideal for children and those with limited dexterity due to its simple, large circular motion — it is not the most effective technique for sulcular cleaning in adults.

When a dental hygienist refers a patient for evaluation of a suspicious oral lesion, which information is MOST important to document and communicate?

Answer: Size, location, color, surface texture, borders, duration, associated symptoms, and whether the lesion has changed since first noted

A complete lesion description — size, location, color, texture, borders, duration, symptoms, and changes — is essential to communicate to the consulting specialist for proper evaluation and triage.

Extrinsic tooth staining from chlorhexidine mouthrinse occurs through which mechanism?

Answer: Chlorhexidine binds to anionic salivary proteins and reacts with dietary chromogens (tannins, polyphenols) to form insoluble brown-black pigment deposits on tooth surfaces

Chlorhexidine (cationic) binds to salivary proteins and tooth surfaces, then reacts with dietary tannins and polyphenols (coffee, tea, red wine) through condensation reactions to form brown pigments.

The principal fibers of the periodontal ligament (PDL) that are responsible for resisting intrusive forces on the tooth are:

Answer: Apical fibers, which radiate from the root apex to the surrounding alveolar bone, acting as a cushion against apical pressure

The apical fibers radiate from the apex of the root to the adjacent alveolar bone, providing a hammock-like support that protects the tooth from vertical intrusive forces and trauma to the apical neurovascular bundle.

A 16-year-old patient with bilateral gingival enlargement, delayed eruption of permanent teeth, and radiographic evidence of multiple follicular cysts should be evaluated for:

Answer: Cleidocranial dysplasia (dysostosis)

Cleidocranial dysplasia is characterized by defective clavicles (absent or hypoplastic), supernumerary teeth, delayed tooth eruption, multiple dentigerous cysts, and delayed closure of fontanelles.

Which principle of motivational interviewing (MI) is described when the dental hygienist says: 'It sounds like you're torn — you know smoking is harming your gums, but quitting feels overwhelming right now'?

Answer: Developing discrepancy — reflecting ambivalence to increase motivation for change

This statement highlights the discrepancy between the patient's current behavior (smoking) and their values or goals (healthy gums), which is a key MI strategy to increase motivation for change.