Dental Hygiene Trivia 1 Flashcards

Who was the first person trained by Alfred Fones as a dental hygienist, becoming the inaugural practitioner of the profession?

Answer: Irene Newman

Irene Newman was Alfred Fones's dental assistant whom he trained around 1906, making her the first person to practice dental hygiene as a defined clinical role.

Which U.S. state was the first to legally license dental hygienists, doing so in 1917?

Answer: Connecticut

Connecticut passed the first dental hygiene practice act in 1917, formally recognizing dental hygiene as a licensed profession and setting the precedent for other states.

Who served as the first president of the American Dental Hygienists' Association upon its founding?

Answer: Gillette Hayden

Gillette Hayden was elected as the first president of the ADHA when it was established, providing early leadership that shaped the organization's professional direction.

The Gracey curette, a series of area-specific periodontal instruments still widely used today, is credited to which developer?

Answer: Clayton H. Gracey

Dr. Clayton H. Gracey designed the Gracey curettes in the 1930s and 1940s; each instrument in the series is specifically angled for use on particular tooth surfaces.

Which organization is responsible for developing and administering the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE)?

Answer: Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE)

The Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE), an independent body sponsored by the ADA, constructs and administers the NBDHE as a standardized credentialing examination.

The sulcular toothbrushing method, which directs bristles at a 45-degree angle into the gingival sulcus, is named after which researcher?

Answer: Charles C. Bass

Dr. Charles C. Bass, a physician and parasitologist, developed the Bass technique emphasizing removal of plaque at and below the gingival margin, making it a cornerstone of oral hygiene instruction.