NDAEB Preventive Procedures and Nutrition Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A mother expresses concern about her 4-year-old child's cavity risk, stating the child frequently snacks on crackers and sips fruit juice throughout the day. What is the most crucial nutritional advice a dental assistant should provide?
- Recommend brushing the child's teeth immediately after every snack.
- Advise limiting snacking and juice consumption to mealtimes only. (Correct answer)
- Suggest switching from fruit juice to milk for all-day sipping.
- Tell her to replace the crackers with fresh fruit for snacking.
Correct answer: Advise limiting snacking and juice consumption to mealtimes only.
The frequency of sugar and fermentable carbohydrate intake is a more significant factor in caries development than the total amount consumed. Limiting sugary and starchy foods/drinks to mealtimes reduces the duration of acid attacks on the enamel, allowing saliva to buffer the pH and remineralize the teeth.
Question 2: Which of the following is the primary mechanism by which professionally applied topical fluoride helps to prevent dental caries?
- It kills all bacteria present in the dental plaque.
- It creates a thin, physical barrier over the enamel surface.
- It inhibits demineralization and enhances the remineralization of enamel. (Correct answer)
- It is absorbed systemically to strengthen unerupted, developing teeth.
Correct answer: It inhibits demineralization and enhances the remineralization of enamel.
Topical fluoride works primarily on the tooth surface. It integrates into the enamel's crystal structure to form fluorapatite, which is more resistant to acid. It also attracts calcium and phosphate ions to the tooth, which aids in rebuilding and strengthening areas that have begun to demineralize.
Question 3: When applying a pit and fissure sealant, what is the most critical step for ensuring successful long-term retention after the tooth has been etched and rinsed?
- Curing the etched surface with a light for 10 seconds before sealant placement.
- Applying a thin layer of fluoride varnish to the etched surface.
- Polishing the tooth with prophy paste to remove any remaining debris.
- Maintaining a completely dry, contamination-free surface until the sealant is cured. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Maintaining a completely dry, contamination-free surface until the sealant is cured.
The success of a resin-based sealant relies on creating a strong mechanical bond with the enamel. Acid etching creates microscopic pores, but if saliva contaminates the surface, the pores will be blocked, and the sealant will not bond properly. Therefore, maintaining absolute isolation and dryness is the most critical factor for retention.
Question 4: A dental assistant is providing oral hygiene instructions to an adult patient with signs of mild gingivitis. The Bass method of toothbrushing is specifically recommended because it is most effective for:
- Whitening the facial surfaces of the anterior teeth.
- Massaging the keratinized tissue of the hard palate.
- Removing plaque and debris from the gingival sulcus. (Correct answer)
- Dislodging impacted food from the occlusal pits and fissures.
Correct answer: Removing plaque and debris from the gingival sulcus.
The Bass (or sulcular) brushing technique is specifically designed to clean the area at and just below the gumline. By angling the bristles at 45 degrees into the gingival sulcus and using small vibratory motions, it effectively disrupts the plaque biofilm that is responsible for causing gingivitis.
Question 5: A patient's health history reveals a highly restrictive diet, and clinically, they present with inflamed, bleeding gums and poor tissue healing. A deficiency in which vitamin is most directly associated with these oral manifestations, which can lead to scurvy in severe cases?
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) (Correct answer)
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin K
Correct answer: Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis, which is vital for maintaining the health and integrity of connective tissues like the gums and periodontal ligament. A deficiency impairs tissue repair and can lead to inflamed, bleeding gums, and in severe cases, scurvy.
Question 6: Which of the following food items is considered the MOST cariogenic?
- A small, sticky caramel candy eaten slowly over 20 minutes. (Correct answer)
- A large glass of milk drunk quickly with a meal.
- A handful of salted peanuts eaten as a snack.
- A slice of cheddar cheese eaten after a meal.
Correct answer: A small, sticky caramel candy eaten slowly over 20 minutes.
The cariogenicity of food is determined by its sugar content, its physical form (stickiness), and the duration of oral exposure. A sticky candy provides a prolonged source of fermentable carbohydrates for bacteria, leading to a sustained acid attack on the enamel, which is highly damaging.
NDAEB Preventive Procedures and Nutrition Questions and Answers 1
A mother expresses concern about her 4-year-old child's cavity risk, stating the child frequently snacks on crackers and sips fruit juice throughout the day.
What is the most crucial nutritional advice a dental assistant should provide?