Patient Assessment Flashcards

What does a furcation involvement Class II indicate during periodontal assessment?

Answer: Probe can enter the furcation but cannot pass through

Class II furcation involvement means the probe can penetrate into the furcation area but cannot be passed through to the other side of the tooth.

During an intraoral examination, the dental hygienist observes a white patch on the lateral border of the tongue that cannot be wiped off. This finding is most consistent with:

Answer: Leukoplakia

Leukoplakia is a white patch that cannot be scraped off and is considered a potentially malignant disorder requiring biopsy to rule out dysplasia.

Which clinical parameter is considered the gold standard for diagnosing active periodontal disease progression?

Answer: Clinical attachment loss (CAL)

Clinical attachment loss (CAL) is the gold standard for diagnosing periodontal disease, as it measures the actual loss of the tooth's supporting structures from the CEJ.

A dental hygienist records a gingival recession of 2 mm and a probing depth of 4 mm. What is the clinical attachment loss (CAL)?

Answer: 6 mm

CAL is calculated by adding probing depth to recession: 4 mm + 2 mm = 6 mm, indicating 6 mm of total attachment loss.

Which of the following best defines a sinus tract (formerly called a fistula) on clinical examination?

Answer: A channel through soft or hard tissue that drains a chronic abscess

A sinus tract is a channel or pathway through tissue that provides drainage for a chronic periapical or periodontal abscess, often appearing as a small opening on the gingiva.

Which screening tool used in dental hygiene practice assesses a patient's oral health literacy?

Answer: REALD-30 or NVS (Newest Vital Sign)

The Newest Vital Sign (NVS) and REALD-30 are validated tools used to assess health literacy, which helps the clinician tailor patient education appropriately.