NBDHE NBDHE Dental Hygiene Care 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient has a 6 mm periodontal pocket on the mesial of tooth #14 with bleeding on probing. Which instrument is most appropriate for debridement in this area?
- Gracey 1/2 curette
- Gracey 11/12 curette (Correct answer)
- Sickle scaler
- Hoe scaler
Correct answer: Gracey 11/12 curette
The Gracey 11/12 curette is area-specific for the mesial surfaces of posterior teeth.
Question 2: Which systemic condition is most associated with gingival enlargement that mimics periodontal disease?
- Diabetes mellitus
- Phenytoin use (Correct answer)
- Hypertension
- Anemia
Correct answer: Phenytoin use
Phenytoin (Dilantin), a seizure medication, is a classic cause of drug-induced gingival overgrowth.
Question 3: A patient presents with furcation involvement on tooth #19. Using Glickman's classification, a probe can enter the furcation but not pass through. This is classified as:
- Grade I
- Grade II (Correct answer)
- Grade III
- Grade IV
Correct answer: Grade II
Glickman Grade II furcation involvement means the probe enters the furcation but does not pass through to the other side.
Question 4: When providing ultrasonic scaling, which patient condition is a relative contraindication?
- Moderate periodontal disease
- Pacemaker (non-shielded) (Correct answer)
- Pregnancy
- Hypertension
Correct answer: Pacemaker (non-shielded)
Older non-shielded pacemakers may be affected by electromagnetic interference from magnetostrictive ultrasonic scalers.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes the purpose of subgingival irrigation with antimicrobial agents during periodontal therapy?
- To replace mechanical debridement
- To reduce the subgingival microbial load as an adjunct to scaling (Correct answer)
- To eliminate the need for re-evaluation
- To cure chronic periodontitis
Correct answer: To reduce the subgingival microbial load as an adjunct to scaling
Subgingival irrigation with antimicrobials is an adjunct to, not a replacement for, mechanical debridement.
Question 6: A patient has root sensitivity following scaling and root planing. Which desensitizing agent works by occluding dentinal tubules?
- Fluoride varnish
- Potassium nitrate
- Strontium chloride
- Ferric oxalate (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Ferric oxalate
Ferric oxalate precipitates within and occludes dentinal tubules, reducing fluid movement and sensitivity.
Question 7: Which type of periodontal fiber group runs from the cementum in an apical direction and anchors the tooth against lateral forces?
- Alveolar crest fibers
- Oblique fibers
- Horizontal fibers (Correct answer)
- Apical fibers
Correct answer: Horizontal fibers
Horizontal fibers run perpendicular to the tooth and resist lateral (tipping) forces.
NBDHE NBDHE Dental Hygiene Care 2
A patient has a 6 mm periodontal pocket on the mesial of tooth #14 with bleeding on probing.
Which instrument is most appropriate for debridement in this area?