NDHCE Mock Exam Questions 2024/2025 – 100% Verified
Actual Test Questions and Complete Solutions
Multiple-Choice Questions
Question 1: A 45-year-old patient presents with a dental hygienist complaining of bleeding gums
during brushing. Medical history includes type 2 diabetes mellitus. What is the
most likely cause of the bleeding? A. Vitamin C deficiency
B. Periodontal disease
C. Thrombocytopenia
D. Medication side effect
Correct Answer: B. Periodontal disease
Rationale: Bleeding gums are commonly associated with periodontal disease, espe-
cially gingivitis or periodontitis. Type 2 diabetes increases susceptibility to peri-
odontal disease due to impaired immune response and poor wound healing.
Question 2: Which radiograph is best for detecting interproximal caries in a 30-year-old patient
with no restorations? A. Periapical
B. Bitewing
C. Panoramic
D. Occlusal
Correct Answer: B. Bitewing
Rationale: Bitewing radiographs are ideal for detecting interproximal caries because
they show the crowns of both maxillary and mandibular teeth and the alveolar bone
in a single image.
Question 3: A patient with a history of rheumatic fever requires antibiotic prophylaxis before
scaling. Which antibiotic is recommended? A. Amoxicillin 2 g orally 1 hour before
procedure
B. Clindamycin 600 mg IV during procedure
C. Penicillin VK 500 mg every 6 hours
D. Erythromycin 1 g 2 hours before procedure
Correct Answer: A. Amoxicillin 2 g orally 1 hour before procedure
Rationale: The American Heart Association recommends amoxicillin 2 g orally 1
hour before dental procedures for patients at risk of infective endocarditis, such as
those with a history of rheumatic fever.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of the dental hygiene process of care? A. To diagnose
dental caries
B. To provide comprehensive oral health care
C. To prescribe medications
D. To perform restorative procedures
Correct Answer: B. To provide comprehensive oral health care
Rationale: The dental hygiene process of care involves assessment, diagnosis, plan-
ning, implementation, and evaluation to promote and maintain oral health.
Question 5: A 60-year-old patient presents with a white patch on the buccal mucosa that cannot
be wiped off. What is the most likely diagnosis? A. Candidiasis
B. Leukoplakia
1
, C. Lichen planus
D. Aphthous ulcer
Correct Answer: B. Leukoplakia
Rationale: Leukoplakia presents as a white patch that cannot be scraped off and
is often associated with chronic irritation or tobacco use. It requires biopsy to rule
out malignancy.
Question 6: Which of the following is a contraindication for nitrous oxide sedation? A. Mild
asthma
B. Recent myocardial infarction
C. Hypertension
D. Pregnancy in first trimester
Correct Answer: B. Recent myocardial infarction
Rationale: Nitrous oxide is contraindicated in patients with recent myocardial in-
farction due to the risk of cardiovascular instability. Mild asthma and hypertension
are not absolute contraindications.
Question 7: A dental hygienist observes generalized bone loss on a patient’s radiographs. What
is the most appropriate action? A. Refer to a periodontist
B. Perform scaling immediately
C. Prescribe antibiotics
D. Monitor for 6 months
Correct Answer: A. Refer to a periodontist
Rationale: Generalized bone loss indicates periodontitis, which requires specialized
evaluation and treatment by a periodontist.
Question 8: What is the recommended frequency for dental prophylaxis in a patient with healthy
gingiva? A. Every 3 months
B. Every 6 months
C. Every 9 months
D. Annually
Correct Answer: B. Every 6 months
Rationale: For patients with healthy gingiva, dental prophylaxis is recommended
every 6 months to maintain oral health and prevent disease progression.
Question 9: Which instrument is most appropriate for removing heavy supragingival calculus?
A. Gracey curette
B. Sickle scaler
C. Universal curette
D. Periodontal probe
Correct Answer: B. Sickle scaler
Rationale: Sickle scalers are designed to remove heavy supragingival calculus due
to their sharp, straight cutting edges.
Question 10: A patient with a history of bisphosphonate use presents for tooth extraction. What
is the primary concern? A. Excessive bleeding
B. Osteonecrosis of the jaw
C. Delayed healing
D. Infection
Correct Answer: B. Osteonecrosis of the jaw
2
Actual Test Questions and Complete Solutions
Multiple-Choice Questions
Question 1: A 45-year-old patient presents with a dental hygienist complaining of bleeding gums
during brushing. Medical history includes type 2 diabetes mellitus. What is the
most likely cause of the bleeding? A. Vitamin C deficiency
B. Periodontal disease
C. Thrombocytopenia
D. Medication side effect
Correct Answer: B. Periodontal disease
Rationale: Bleeding gums are commonly associated with periodontal disease, espe-
cially gingivitis or periodontitis. Type 2 diabetes increases susceptibility to peri-
odontal disease due to impaired immune response and poor wound healing.
Question 2: Which radiograph is best for detecting interproximal caries in a 30-year-old patient
with no restorations? A. Periapical
B. Bitewing
C. Panoramic
D. Occlusal
Correct Answer: B. Bitewing
Rationale: Bitewing radiographs are ideal for detecting interproximal caries because
they show the crowns of both maxillary and mandibular teeth and the alveolar bone
in a single image.
Question 3: A patient with a history of rheumatic fever requires antibiotic prophylaxis before
scaling. Which antibiotic is recommended? A. Amoxicillin 2 g orally 1 hour before
procedure
B. Clindamycin 600 mg IV during procedure
C. Penicillin VK 500 mg every 6 hours
D. Erythromycin 1 g 2 hours before procedure
Correct Answer: A. Amoxicillin 2 g orally 1 hour before procedure
Rationale: The American Heart Association recommends amoxicillin 2 g orally 1
hour before dental procedures for patients at risk of infective endocarditis, such as
those with a history of rheumatic fever.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of the dental hygiene process of care? A. To diagnose
dental caries
B. To provide comprehensive oral health care
C. To prescribe medications
D. To perform restorative procedures
Correct Answer: B. To provide comprehensive oral health care
Rationale: The dental hygiene process of care involves assessment, diagnosis, plan-
ning, implementation, and evaluation to promote and maintain oral health.
Question 5: A 60-year-old patient presents with a white patch on the buccal mucosa that cannot
be wiped off. What is the most likely diagnosis? A. Candidiasis
B. Leukoplakia
1
, C. Lichen planus
D. Aphthous ulcer
Correct Answer: B. Leukoplakia
Rationale: Leukoplakia presents as a white patch that cannot be scraped off and
is often associated with chronic irritation or tobacco use. It requires biopsy to rule
out malignancy.
Question 6: Which of the following is a contraindication for nitrous oxide sedation? A. Mild
asthma
B. Recent myocardial infarction
C. Hypertension
D. Pregnancy in first trimester
Correct Answer: B. Recent myocardial infarction
Rationale: Nitrous oxide is contraindicated in patients with recent myocardial in-
farction due to the risk of cardiovascular instability. Mild asthma and hypertension
are not absolute contraindications.
Question 7: A dental hygienist observes generalized bone loss on a patient’s radiographs. What
is the most appropriate action? A. Refer to a periodontist
B. Perform scaling immediately
C. Prescribe antibiotics
D. Monitor for 6 months
Correct Answer: A. Refer to a periodontist
Rationale: Generalized bone loss indicates periodontitis, which requires specialized
evaluation and treatment by a periodontist.
Question 8: What is the recommended frequency for dental prophylaxis in a patient with healthy
gingiva? A. Every 3 months
B. Every 6 months
C. Every 9 months
D. Annually
Correct Answer: B. Every 6 months
Rationale: For patients with healthy gingiva, dental prophylaxis is recommended
every 6 months to maintain oral health and prevent disease progression.
Question 9: Which instrument is most appropriate for removing heavy supragingival calculus?
A. Gracey curette
B. Sickle scaler
C. Universal curette
D. Periodontal probe
Correct Answer: B. Sickle scaler
Rationale: Sickle scalers are designed to remove heavy supragingival calculus due
to their sharp, straight cutting edges.
Question 10: A patient with a history of bisphosphonate use presents for tooth extraction. What
is the primary concern? A. Excessive bleeding
B. Osteonecrosis of the jaw
C. Delayed healing
D. Infection
Correct Answer: B. Osteonecrosis of the jaw
2
