HESI Dental Hygiene Exam
Study Guide 2026 Latest
Update | Comprehensive
Review 260 Verified
Questions with 100%
Correct Answers | Graded
A+
[School]
[Course title]
,HESI Dental Hygiene Exam Study Guide
2025/2026 Latest Update | Comprehensive Review
260 Verified Questions with 100% Correct Answers | Graded
A+
PART 1: HEAD AND NECK ANATOMY
Question 1
Which cranial nerve is responsible for innervating the muscles of mastication?
A) Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
B) Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)
C) Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
D) Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
Answer: A) Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
Clinical Pearl: The trigeminal nerve (CN V) is the largest cranial nerve. Its motor branch
innervates the masseter, temporalis, medial and lateral pterygoids (muscles of
mastication). Its sensory branches provide sensation to the face, oral cavity, and anterior
two-thirds of the tongue.
Rationale: The trigeminal nerve (CN V) provides motor innervation to the muscles of
mastication. CN VII (Facial) innervates muscles of facial expression. CN IX
(Glossopharyngeal) provides sensation to the posterior tongue. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
innervates intrinsic and extrinsic tongue muscles.
,Question 2
The parotid gland's primary duct (Stensen's duct) empties into the oral cavity at which
location?
A) Opposite the maxillary second molar
B) Opposite the mandibular second molar
C) Opposite the maxillary first molar
D) Opposite the mandibular first molar
Answer: A) Opposite the maxillary second molar
Clinical Pearl: Stensen's duct (parotid duct) opens on the buccal mucosa opposite the
maxillary second molar. This is a key landmark for assessing salivary flow and for
cannulation in sialography.
Rationale: The parotid duct (Stensen's duct) traverses the buccal fat pad and opens into
the oral cavity at the parotid papilla opposite the maxillary second molar. Wharton's
duct (submandibular) opens at the sublingual caruncle. Sublingual ducts (ducts of
Rivinus) open along the sublingual fold.
Question 3
Which tooth is the most commonly impacted tooth in the permanent dentition?
A) Maxillary canine
B) Mandibular third molar
C) Maxillary third molar
D) Mandibular canine
Answer: B) Mandibular third molar
Clinical Pearl: Mandibular third molars (wisdom teeth) have the highest impaction rate
due to insufficient arch length and late eruption timing. Maxillary third molars are the
second most commonly impacted.
Rationale: Mandibular third molars have an impaction rate of approximately 90% in the
general population. Maxillary canines are the second most commonly impacted anterior
, teeth (approximately 2-3%). Maxillary third molars are also commonly impacted but less
frequently than mandibular third molars.
Question 4
The maxillary sinus is located superior to the roots of which teeth?
A) Maxillary incisors and canines
B) Maxillary premolars and first molars
C) Maxillary premolars, first, second, and third molars
D) All maxillary teeth
Answer: C) Maxillary premolars, first, second, and third molars
Clinical Pearl: The maxillary sinus extends from the canine region to the tuberosity. Its
floor is in close proximity to the apices of maxillary premolars and molars, creating risk
for oroantral communication during extractions.
Rationale: The maxillary sinus floor approximates the apices of maxillary premolars and
molars. The roots of the first, second, and third molars often project into the sinus. The
canine and incisors are typically not in close proximity to the sinus.
Question 5
Which nerve provides sensory innervation to the mandibular anterior teeth and the
associated gingiva?
A) Mental nerve
B) Incisive nerve
C) Inferior alveolar nerve
D) Lingual nerve
Answer: B) Incisive nerve
Study Guide 2026 Latest
Update | Comprehensive
Review 260 Verified
Questions with 100%
Correct Answers | Graded
A+
[School]
[Course title]
,HESI Dental Hygiene Exam Study Guide
2025/2026 Latest Update | Comprehensive Review
260 Verified Questions with 100% Correct Answers | Graded
A+
PART 1: HEAD AND NECK ANATOMY
Question 1
Which cranial nerve is responsible for innervating the muscles of mastication?
A) Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
B) Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)
C) Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
D) Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
Answer: A) Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
Clinical Pearl: The trigeminal nerve (CN V) is the largest cranial nerve. Its motor branch
innervates the masseter, temporalis, medial and lateral pterygoids (muscles of
mastication). Its sensory branches provide sensation to the face, oral cavity, and anterior
two-thirds of the tongue.
Rationale: The trigeminal nerve (CN V) provides motor innervation to the muscles of
mastication. CN VII (Facial) innervates muscles of facial expression. CN IX
(Glossopharyngeal) provides sensation to the posterior tongue. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
innervates intrinsic and extrinsic tongue muscles.
,Question 2
The parotid gland's primary duct (Stensen's duct) empties into the oral cavity at which
location?
A) Opposite the maxillary second molar
B) Opposite the mandibular second molar
C) Opposite the maxillary first molar
D) Opposite the mandibular first molar
Answer: A) Opposite the maxillary second molar
Clinical Pearl: Stensen's duct (parotid duct) opens on the buccal mucosa opposite the
maxillary second molar. This is a key landmark for assessing salivary flow and for
cannulation in sialography.
Rationale: The parotid duct (Stensen's duct) traverses the buccal fat pad and opens into
the oral cavity at the parotid papilla opposite the maxillary second molar. Wharton's
duct (submandibular) opens at the sublingual caruncle. Sublingual ducts (ducts of
Rivinus) open along the sublingual fold.
Question 3
Which tooth is the most commonly impacted tooth in the permanent dentition?
A) Maxillary canine
B) Mandibular third molar
C) Maxillary third molar
D) Mandibular canine
Answer: B) Mandibular third molar
Clinical Pearl: Mandibular third molars (wisdom teeth) have the highest impaction rate
due to insufficient arch length and late eruption timing. Maxillary third molars are the
second most commonly impacted.
Rationale: Mandibular third molars have an impaction rate of approximately 90% in the
general population. Maxillary canines are the second most commonly impacted anterior
, teeth (approximately 2-3%). Maxillary third molars are also commonly impacted but less
frequently than mandibular third molars.
Question 4
The maxillary sinus is located superior to the roots of which teeth?
A) Maxillary incisors and canines
B) Maxillary premolars and first molars
C) Maxillary premolars, first, second, and third molars
D) All maxillary teeth
Answer: C) Maxillary premolars, first, second, and third molars
Clinical Pearl: The maxillary sinus extends from the canine region to the tuberosity. Its
floor is in close proximity to the apices of maxillary premolars and molars, creating risk
for oroantral communication during extractions.
Rationale: The maxillary sinus floor approximates the apices of maxillary premolars and
molars. The roots of the first, second, and third molars often project into the sinus. The
canine and incisors are typically not in close proximity to the sinus.
Question 5
Which nerve provides sensory innervation to the mandibular anterior teeth and the
associated gingiva?
A) Mental nerve
B) Incisive nerve
C) Inferior alveolar nerve
D) Lingual nerve
Answer: B) Incisive nerve
