Chapter 1: The Dental Hygiene Profession
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. What is the discipline of dental hygiene?
a. The study of teeth and their supporting structures
b. Brushing and flossing one’s teeth and rinsing with an antimicrobial mouth rinse
twice a day, morning and night
c. The study of preventive oral healthcare, including the management of behavior to
prevent oral disease and promote health
d. The study of those procedures that dental hygienists provide to clients
ANS: C
The study of teeth and their supporting structures. This answer is wrong because the discipline
of dental hygiene covers much more information than the study of teeth and supporting
structures. Dental hygiene focuses on the preventive measures that the teeth and supporting
structures must receive, in addition to other oral healthcare steps that must be taken to
promote one’s health.
Brushing and flossing one’s teeth and rinsing with an antimicrobial mouth rinse twice a day,
morning and night. This answer is wrong because this statement describes only one procedure
within the discipline of dental hygiene. Dental hygiene is a much larger and general field of
study than this simple preventive action.
The study of preventive oral healthcare including the management of behavior to prevent oral
disease and promote health. This answer is correct because this is the direct definition of
dental hygiene. The definition can be broken down into smaller, specified divisions to further
develop the discipline of dental hygiene.
The study of those procedures that dental hygienists provide to clients. This answer is wrong
because dental hygienists play many interrelated roles, such as clinician, educator,
administrator or manager, advocate, and researcher. Although each of these roles is created to
assist in dental hygiene, the discipline is not centered on the actions and procedures of the
dental hygienist.
REF: What is Dental Hygiene?, page 1
Copyright © 2015 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 1
, 2. Who is the professional dental hygienist?
a. A licensed preventive oral health professional who has graduated from a
Commission on Dental Accreditation, accredited, entry level dental hygiene
program
b. A licensed person who has learned on the job via a preceptorship program, such
as the Alabama Dental Hygienists Program
c. A dentist who has graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation,
accredited, dental school program
d. A person who has graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation,
accredited, dental assisting program
ANS: A
A licensed preventive oral health professional who has graduated from a Commission on
Dental Accreditation, accredited, entry level dental hygiene program. This answer is correct
because to be eligible as a professional dental hygienist, the person must have graduated from
an accredited dental hygiene program.
A licensed person who has learned on the job via a preceptorship program, such as the
Alabama Dental Hygienists Program. This answer is wrong because a dental hygienist cannot
learn on the job to become a professional. Rather, they must pass written examinations and
graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program.
A dentist who has graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation, accredited, dental
school program. This answer is wrong because a dentist has a higher degree than a dental
hygienist and therefore, generally, works above a dental hygienist. It is not necessary for a
dental hygienist to receive an education from a dental school.
A person who has graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation, accredited, dental
assisting program. This answer is wrong because a person graduating from an accredited
dental assisting program would only be licensed as a dental assistant.
REF: Who Is the Dental Hygienist?, page 1
Copyright © 2015 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 2
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. What is the discipline of dental hygiene?
a. The study of teeth and their supporting structures
b. Brushing and flossing one’s teeth and rinsing with an antimicrobial mouth rinse
twice a day, morning and night
c. The study of preventive oral healthcare, including the management of behavior to
prevent oral disease and promote health
d. The study of those procedures that dental hygienists provide to clients
ANS: C
The study of teeth and their supporting structures. This answer is wrong because the discipline
of dental hygiene covers much more information than the study of teeth and supporting
structures. Dental hygiene focuses on the preventive measures that the teeth and supporting
structures must receive, in addition to other oral healthcare steps that must be taken to
promote one’s health.
Brushing and flossing one’s teeth and rinsing with an antimicrobial mouth rinse twice a day,
morning and night. This answer is wrong because this statement describes only one procedure
within the discipline of dental hygiene. Dental hygiene is a much larger and general field of
study than this simple preventive action.
The study of preventive oral healthcare including the management of behavior to prevent oral
disease and promote health. This answer is correct because this is the direct definition of
dental hygiene. The definition can be broken down into smaller, specified divisions to further
develop the discipline of dental hygiene.
The study of those procedures that dental hygienists provide to clients. This answer is wrong
because dental hygienists play many interrelated roles, such as clinician, educator,
administrator or manager, advocate, and researcher. Although each of these roles is created to
assist in dental hygiene, the discipline is not centered on the actions and procedures of the
dental hygienist.
REF: What is Dental Hygiene?, page 1
Copyright © 2015 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 1
, 2. Who is the professional dental hygienist?
a. A licensed preventive oral health professional who has graduated from a
Commission on Dental Accreditation, accredited, entry level dental hygiene
program
b. A licensed person who has learned on the job via a preceptorship program, such
as the Alabama Dental Hygienists Program
c. A dentist who has graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation,
accredited, dental school program
d. A person who has graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation,
accredited, dental assisting program
ANS: A
A licensed preventive oral health professional who has graduated from a Commission on
Dental Accreditation, accredited, entry level dental hygiene program. This answer is correct
because to be eligible as a professional dental hygienist, the person must have graduated from
an accredited dental hygiene program.
A licensed person who has learned on the job via a preceptorship program, such as the
Alabama Dental Hygienists Program. This answer is wrong because a dental hygienist cannot
learn on the job to become a professional. Rather, they must pass written examinations and
graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program.
A dentist who has graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation, accredited, dental
school program. This answer is wrong because a dentist has a higher degree than a dental
hygienist and therefore, generally, works above a dental hygienist. It is not necessary for a
dental hygienist to receive an education from a dental school.
A person who has graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation, accredited, dental
assisting program. This answer is wrong because a person graduating from an accredited
dental assisting program would only be licensed as a dental assistant.
REF: Who Is the Dental Hygienist?, page 1
Copyright © 2015 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 2
