NBDHE EXAM NATIONAL BOARD DENTAL HYGIENE
EXAM 2026 | COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES | VERIFIED
ANSWERS | NEWEST VERSION | BRAND NEW
VERSION
Which of the following is a measure of the energy needed to maintain
life while at rest and without food? ---------CORRECT ANSWER--------------
---BMR
RATIONALE: Energy for basal metabolism is referred to as the basal
metabolic rate (BMR), which is a measure of energy. The specific
dynamic energy (SDE) is a measure used during metabolism of food.
Protein energy malnutrition (PEM), a potentially fatal protein deficit,
is prominent in anorexic individuals, as well as those in later stages of
HIV infection. Coronary heart disease (CHD), is a disease state, not a
measure of energy.
During the intraoral examination, a translucent-to-whitish irregular film
on the buccal mucosa is noted. The film is not removable with gauze.
Which of the following conditions is MOST likely present? ---------
CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Hyperkeratinization
,RATIONALE: Hyperkeratinization can result from constant low-grade
irritations such as cheek biting, which causes an abnormal layer of
keratin to develop. The client needs to be questioned regarding
parafunctional oral habits. Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of
cells whereas linea alba presents as a whitish, horizontal, elevated
line on the buccal mucosa at the height of the occlusal plane. Also
whitish in appearance, leukoplakia is characterized as white patches
that sometimes appear fissured, may cause discomfort, cannot be
scraped off and are considered precancerous.
When comparing permanent and primary molars, which of the
following statements is TRUE? ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------
Primary molars have larger pulp chambers.
RATIONALE: The pulp chambers of primary molars are larger than
those of the permanent molars. Second primary molars, not first
primary molars, have anatomy similar to that of the first permanent
molars. Primary molars have the same number of roots as permanent
molars; note that neither primary molars nor permanent molars are
classified as succedaneous teeth. A succedaneous tooth is a
permanent tooth that replaces a primary tooth. Thus, permanent
incisors are succedaneous, but permanent molars are not. The root
trunks of primary molars are very short in comparison with those of
permanent molars
,John Jeffry, a 45-year-old man, calls the dental office to request an
appointment for an oral examination. After discovering that he has
cerebral palsy, the office manager tells Mr. Jeffry that he cannot be
treated in the office due to his condition. Which of the following BEST
describes the behavior being demonstrated by the office manager? -----
----CORRECT ANSWER-----------------This behavior is an example of
discrimination according to the Americans with Disabilities Act.
RATIONALE: This illegal behavior is an example of discrimination
according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Based upon
the ADA, dental practices can neither refuse treatment based on a
client's disability nor can they prescreen clients to determine whether
they will provide care. Although the Equal Rights Amendment affords
important protection to all citizens, it has no bearing on the provision
of dental treatment.
Which of the following correctly ranks the tissues in order of MOST
sensitive to LEAST sensitive to ionizing radiation? ---------CORRECT
ANSWER-----------------Reproductive, lymphatic, endocrine, digestive,
nervous
RATIONALE: In general, younger cells with a high rate of metabolism,
an increased proliferation and growth rate, and a decrease in
specialization are more susceptible to radiation-induced biologic
changes. Therefore, reproductive organs represent tissue with cells
that are most radiosensitive, whereas the nervous system is
composed of cells considered to be the most radioresistant. In
, descending order of radiosensitivity are lymphatic, endocrine, and
digestive tissues. An important concept, tissues that are less sensitive
to radiation-induced biological changes will be more specialized, have
lower rates of metabolism and decreased proliferation and growth
rates.
Which of the following describes a dental implant that is placed on the
surface of the bone beneath the periosteum? ---------CORRECT
ANSWER-----------------Subperiosteal
RATIONALE: A subperiosteal implant is placed on the surface of the
bone beneath the periosteum. Periosseous is not a term associated
with a type of dental implant. An endosseous implant is placed into
the alveolar bone whereas a transosteal implant is placed through the
alveolar bone.
Studies of the natural history of periodontal disease have shown which
of the following to be TRUE? ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------
Periodontal therapy and oral self-care will slow the rate of attachment
loss in periodontitis.
RATIONALE: In studies of Sri Lanka tea workers, comparison of
untreated groups with regular dental care attendees from Norway
documented that periodontal therapy and self-care slow the rate of
clinical attachment loss (0.3 and 0.1 mm, respectively). Because
EXAM 2026 | COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES | VERIFIED
ANSWERS | NEWEST VERSION | BRAND NEW
VERSION
Which of the following is a measure of the energy needed to maintain
life while at rest and without food? ---------CORRECT ANSWER--------------
---BMR
RATIONALE: Energy for basal metabolism is referred to as the basal
metabolic rate (BMR), which is a measure of energy. The specific
dynamic energy (SDE) is a measure used during metabolism of food.
Protein energy malnutrition (PEM), a potentially fatal protein deficit,
is prominent in anorexic individuals, as well as those in later stages of
HIV infection. Coronary heart disease (CHD), is a disease state, not a
measure of energy.
During the intraoral examination, a translucent-to-whitish irregular film
on the buccal mucosa is noted. The film is not removable with gauze.
Which of the following conditions is MOST likely present? ---------
CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Hyperkeratinization
,RATIONALE: Hyperkeratinization can result from constant low-grade
irritations such as cheek biting, which causes an abnormal layer of
keratin to develop. The client needs to be questioned regarding
parafunctional oral habits. Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of
cells whereas linea alba presents as a whitish, horizontal, elevated
line on the buccal mucosa at the height of the occlusal plane. Also
whitish in appearance, leukoplakia is characterized as white patches
that sometimes appear fissured, may cause discomfort, cannot be
scraped off and are considered precancerous.
When comparing permanent and primary molars, which of the
following statements is TRUE? ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------
Primary molars have larger pulp chambers.
RATIONALE: The pulp chambers of primary molars are larger than
those of the permanent molars. Second primary molars, not first
primary molars, have anatomy similar to that of the first permanent
molars. Primary molars have the same number of roots as permanent
molars; note that neither primary molars nor permanent molars are
classified as succedaneous teeth. A succedaneous tooth is a
permanent tooth that replaces a primary tooth. Thus, permanent
incisors are succedaneous, but permanent molars are not. The root
trunks of primary molars are very short in comparison with those of
permanent molars
,John Jeffry, a 45-year-old man, calls the dental office to request an
appointment for an oral examination. After discovering that he has
cerebral palsy, the office manager tells Mr. Jeffry that he cannot be
treated in the office due to his condition. Which of the following BEST
describes the behavior being demonstrated by the office manager? -----
----CORRECT ANSWER-----------------This behavior is an example of
discrimination according to the Americans with Disabilities Act.
RATIONALE: This illegal behavior is an example of discrimination
according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Based upon
the ADA, dental practices can neither refuse treatment based on a
client's disability nor can they prescreen clients to determine whether
they will provide care. Although the Equal Rights Amendment affords
important protection to all citizens, it has no bearing on the provision
of dental treatment.
Which of the following correctly ranks the tissues in order of MOST
sensitive to LEAST sensitive to ionizing radiation? ---------CORRECT
ANSWER-----------------Reproductive, lymphatic, endocrine, digestive,
nervous
RATIONALE: In general, younger cells with a high rate of metabolism,
an increased proliferation and growth rate, and a decrease in
specialization are more susceptible to radiation-induced biologic
changes. Therefore, reproductive organs represent tissue with cells
that are most radiosensitive, whereas the nervous system is
composed of cells considered to be the most radioresistant. In
, descending order of radiosensitivity are lymphatic, endocrine, and
digestive tissues. An important concept, tissues that are less sensitive
to radiation-induced biological changes will be more specialized, have
lower rates of metabolism and decreased proliferation and growth
rates.
Which of the following describes a dental implant that is placed on the
surface of the bone beneath the periosteum? ---------CORRECT
ANSWER-----------------Subperiosteal
RATIONALE: A subperiosteal implant is placed on the surface of the
bone beneath the periosteum. Periosseous is not a term associated
with a type of dental implant. An endosseous implant is placed into
the alveolar bone whereas a transosteal implant is placed through the
alveolar bone.
Studies of the natural history of periodontal disease have shown which
of the following to be TRUE? ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------
Periodontal therapy and oral self-care will slow the rate of attachment
loss in periodontitis.
RATIONALE: In studies of Sri Lanka tea workers, comparison of
untreated groups with regular dental care attendees from Norway
documented that periodontal therapy and self-care slow the rate of
clinical attachment loss (0.3 and 0.1 mm, respectively). Because
