Preventive Dental Procedures Flashcards

A patient with xerostomia (dry mouth) caused by medication asks for advice on reducing their caries risk. Which recommendation is most appropriate?

Answer: Use a prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste (5,000 ppm), sugar-free gum with xylitol, and increase water intake

Xerostomia patients are at very high caries risk due to reduced salivary buffering and clearance. Management includes high-concentration fluoride products, saliva stimulants like xylitol gum, adequate hydration, and avoiding drying agents like alcohol-based mouthwashes.

What is the correct technique for applying pit and fissure sealant to a permanent first molar?

Answer: Clean, isolate, etch for 15-30 seconds, rinse, dry to frosty appearance, apply sealant, and light cure

The sealant protocol requires meticulous surface preparation: cleaning, complete isolation from moisture, acid etching to create mechanical retention, thorough rinsing and drying, careful sealant application into all pits and fissures, and proper light curing.

Which dietary counselling point is most important for a patient who drinks multiple acidic beverages (citrus juice, sports drinks) throughout the day?

Answer: Limit acidic beverages to mealtimes, rinse with water after consumption, and wait 30 minutes before brushing

Acidic beverages cause enamel erosion. Limiting consumption to mealtimes reduces the frequency of acid attacks, rinsing with water helps neutralize the acid, and waiting 30 minutes before brushing prevents abrading softened enamel.

When providing oral hygiene instructions to a patient who has just received orthodontic brackets, which cleaning aid should the dental assistant emphasize as essential in addition to regular brushing?

Answer: An interdental brush or orthodontic floss threader for cleaning between brackets, under archwires, and between teeth

Orthodontic appliances create numerous plaque-retentive areas that cannot be reached by regular brushing alone. Interdental brushes and floss threaders are essential for cleaning between brackets, under archwires, and between teeth.

What is the purpose of using a disclosing solution or tablet during a patient education session?

Answer: To stain bacterial plaque so the patient can visualize areas they are missing during their home care routine

Disclosing agents (typically erythrosine dye) stain bacterial plaque pink or red, making it visible on tooth surfaces. This powerful visual tool shows patients exactly where their brushing and flossing is inadequate.

A parent asks at what age their child should first visit the dental office for an examination. What does the Canadian Dental Association recommend?

Answer: Within 6 months of the eruption of the first tooth or by age 1

The Canadian Dental Association recommends the first dental visit within 6 months of the eruption of the first primary tooth, or by 12 months of age, whichever comes first. This allows early caries risk assessment and parent education.