ADEX Dental Hygiene Dental Hygiene Process of Care Questions and Answers

Question 1

When developing the dental hygiene care plan for a patient with generalized gingivitis, which of the following represents the MOST effectively written patient-centered goal?

Accepted Answer

By the next recall appointment in 3 months, the patient will demonstrate a 50% reduction in bleeding on probing scores.

Answer

This goal is a SMART goal: Specific (50% reduction in BOP), Measurable (BOP scores), Achievable, Relevant (to gingivitis), and Time-bound (by the next 3-month recall). [4, 7, 10] The other options are either too vague, not patient-centered, or lack a measurable clinical outcome.

Question 2

A dental hygienist reviews assessment findings that include a plaque index of 85%, generalized bleeding on probing, and the patient stating, "I don't think I need to floss." The hygienist identifies a "deficit related to conceptualization and problem-solving." This identification is an example of which component of the dental hygiene process of care?

Accepted Answer

Dental Hygiene Diagnosis

Answer

The dental hygiene diagnosis involves identifying a patient's unmet human needs or problems that can be addressed through dental hygiene interventions. [3, 13] It is based on analyzing the assessment data and is distinct from the dentist's diagnosis of a specific disease like caries or periodontitis. [6, 11]

Question 3

A patient completes non-surgical periodontal therapy. Four weeks later, the dental hygienist performs a re-assessment, comparing the initial probing depths and bleeding scores with the current findings. This action is a critical part of which phase of the process of care?

Accepted Answer

Evaluation

Answer

The evaluation phase is where the dental hygienist measures the extent to which the goals set in the care plan have been achieved. [9, 16] This involves collecting new data and comparing it to the baseline assessment data to determine the success of the implemented interventions and to plan for future care. [1]

Question 4

Which of the following is considered subjective data collected during the assessment phase of the dental hygiene process of care?

Accepted Answer

The patient's chief complaint of "my gums bleed when I brush."

Answer

Subjective data is information provided by the patient, such as their perceptions, feelings, and chief complaint. [28, 30, 34] Objective data is measurable and observable information collected by the clinician, such as probing depths, radiographic findings, and clinical indices. [26, 33]

Question 5

The implementation phase of the dental hygiene process of care primarily involves which of the following activities?

Accepted Answer

Delivering the planned dental hygiene services and education.

Answer

The implementation phase is the action-oriented stage where the dental hygiene care plan is put into action. [1, 2] This includes delivering the therapeutic services (e.g., scaling) and educational interventions that were outlined in the planning phase.

ADEX - Dental Hygiene Exam Practice Test

ADEX - Dental Hygiene Exam Practice Test

ADEX Dental Hygiene Dental Hygiene Process of Care Questions and Answers