DENTAL HYGIENE BOARD REVIEW EXAM 1 |
DENTAL HYGIENIST| DENTAL HYGIENIST |
LATEST 2025-2026 QUESTION AND CORRECT
ANSWER WITH EXPLANATION WEST COAST
UNIVERSITY
1. Question
A 45-year-old patient presents with bleeding gums, 6 mm periodontal
pockets, and radiographic bone loss. What is the MOST likely diagnosis?
A. Gingivitis
B. Chronic periodontitis
C. Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis
D. Periapical abscess
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Attachment loss and bone loss indicate periodontitis, not
reversible gingivitis.
2. Question
Which organism is MOST associated with aggressive periodontitis?
A. Streptococcus mutans
B. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
C. Candida albicans
D. Lactobacillus acidophilus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A. actinomycetemcomitans is strongly linked to aggressive
periodontal disease.
3. Question
What is the PRIMARY purpose of scaling and root planing?
A. Whitening teeth
B. Removal of calculus and biofilm below the gingival margin
,C. Polishing enamel only
D. Restoring enamel structure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SRP targets subgingival deposits and bacterial biofilm.
4. Question
Which condition is an absolute contraindication for elective dental
hygiene treatment?
A. Controlled diabetes
B. Acute myocardial infarction within 2 weeks
C. Gingivitis
D. Mild hypertension
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Recent MI patients are medically unstable for elective care.
5. Question
Which instrument is BEST for detecting subgingival calculus?
A. Explorer
B. Mouth mirror
C. Periodontal probe
D. Cotton pliers
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Explorer is used for tactile detection of calculus.
6. Question
A patient presents with painful ulcerated gingiva and punched-out
papillae. What is the MOST likely diagnosis?
A. Chronic periodontitis
B. Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis
, C. Aphthous ulcers
D. Herpetic stomatitis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Classic signs of ANUG include necrosis and pain.
7. Question
Which radiographic technique is BEST for detecting interproximal caries?
A. Panoramic radiograph
B. Bitewing radiograph
C. Occlusal radiograph
D. Cephalometric radiograph
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bitewings are ideal for detecting interproximal decay.
8. Question
Which is the PRIMARY cause of dental plaque formation?
A. Viral infection
B. Bacterial biofilm accumulation
C. Enamel erosion
D. Salivary deficiency alone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Plaque is a structured bacterial biofilm.
9. Question
What is the MOST appropriate oral hygiene instruction for a patient with
gingivitis?
A. Avoid brushing inflamed areas
B. Improve plaque control with proper brushing and flossing
C. Use antibiotics only
D. Stop flossing completely
DENTAL HYGIENIST| DENTAL HYGIENIST |
LATEST 2025-2026 QUESTION AND CORRECT
ANSWER WITH EXPLANATION WEST COAST
UNIVERSITY
1. Question
A 45-year-old patient presents with bleeding gums, 6 mm periodontal
pockets, and radiographic bone loss. What is the MOST likely diagnosis?
A. Gingivitis
B. Chronic periodontitis
C. Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis
D. Periapical abscess
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Attachment loss and bone loss indicate periodontitis, not
reversible gingivitis.
2. Question
Which organism is MOST associated with aggressive periodontitis?
A. Streptococcus mutans
B. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
C. Candida albicans
D. Lactobacillus acidophilus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A. actinomycetemcomitans is strongly linked to aggressive
periodontal disease.
3. Question
What is the PRIMARY purpose of scaling and root planing?
A. Whitening teeth
B. Removal of calculus and biofilm below the gingival margin
,C. Polishing enamel only
D. Restoring enamel structure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SRP targets subgingival deposits and bacterial biofilm.
4. Question
Which condition is an absolute contraindication for elective dental
hygiene treatment?
A. Controlled diabetes
B. Acute myocardial infarction within 2 weeks
C. Gingivitis
D. Mild hypertension
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Recent MI patients are medically unstable for elective care.
5. Question
Which instrument is BEST for detecting subgingival calculus?
A. Explorer
B. Mouth mirror
C. Periodontal probe
D. Cotton pliers
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Explorer is used for tactile detection of calculus.
6. Question
A patient presents with painful ulcerated gingiva and punched-out
papillae. What is the MOST likely diagnosis?
A. Chronic periodontitis
B. Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis
, C. Aphthous ulcers
D. Herpetic stomatitis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Classic signs of ANUG include necrosis and pain.
7. Question
Which radiographic technique is BEST for detecting interproximal caries?
A. Panoramic radiograph
B. Bitewing radiograph
C. Occlusal radiograph
D. Cephalometric radiograph
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bitewings are ideal for detecting interproximal decay.
8. Question
Which is the PRIMARY cause of dental plaque formation?
A. Viral infection
B. Bacterial biofilm accumulation
C. Enamel erosion
D. Salivary deficiency alone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Plaque is a structured bacterial biofilm.
9. Question
What is the MOST appropriate oral hygiene instruction for a patient with
gingivitis?
A. Avoid brushing inflamed areas
B. Improve plaque control with proper brushing and flossing
C. Use antibiotics only
D. Stop flossing completely
