PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY TRAINING STUDY
SHEET 2026 UPDATED QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
◉Describe prescription fluoride rinses. Answer: Generally contain
0.63% stannous fluoride or 0.2% sodium fluoride. They are often
used for their antiplaque properties.
◉What is the additional benefit of stannous fluoride? Answer: It
decreases dental hypersensitivity.
◉What instructions for use should be given to the patient for
fluoride mouthrinses? Answer: Includes that they are most effective
when used after brushing and flossing, approximately 10 ml of
solution should be swished vigorously for 1 minute and then spit
out, not to swallow the mouth rinse, and to carefully supervise
children.
◉In addition to fluoride mouth rinses, what mouth rinses are on the
market for preventing and controlling periodontal disease? Answer:
Include antimicrobial properties.
, ◉What types of fluoride gels are available? Answer: A 2% sodium
fluoride that requires a prescription and a 1.1% sodium fluoride
available over the counter.
◉Describe the use of fluoride gels. Answer: High-risks patients may
use the gels at home by brushing or applying with a reusable custom
tray which is used at bedtime. A small amount of gel is placed in the
tray and it is placed over the teeth for 5 minutes.
◉Which patients may benefit from professional topical fluoride
application? Answer: Include some children soon after eruption of
the permanent teeth and for some high-risk patients.
◉Which members of the dental healthcare team may perform a
professional topical fluoride application? Answer: Include the
dentist, hygienist, or qualified dental assistant.
◉Is a coronal polishing necessary before a topical fluoride
application, why or why not? Answer: No because fluoride diffuses
easily through the acquired pellicle and bacterial plaque, but not
through calculus.
◉Define cariogenic. Answer: Caries-causing.
SHEET 2026 UPDATED QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
◉Describe prescription fluoride rinses. Answer: Generally contain
0.63% stannous fluoride or 0.2% sodium fluoride. They are often
used for their antiplaque properties.
◉What is the additional benefit of stannous fluoride? Answer: It
decreases dental hypersensitivity.
◉What instructions for use should be given to the patient for
fluoride mouthrinses? Answer: Includes that they are most effective
when used after brushing and flossing, approximately 10 ml of
solution should be swished vigorously for 1 minute and then spit
out, not to swallow the mouth rinse, and to carefully supervise
children.
◉In addition to fluoride mouth rinses, what mouth rinses are on the
market for preventing and controlling periodontal disease? Answer:
Include antimicrobial properties.
, ◉What types of fluoride gels are available? Answer: A 2% sodium
fluoride that requires a prescription and a 1.1% sodium fluoride
available over the counter.
◉Describe the use of fluoride gels. Answer: High-risks patients may
use the gels at home by brushing or applying with a reusable custom
tray which is used at bedtime. A small amount of gel is placed in the
tray and it is placed over the teeth for 5 minutes.
◉Which patients may benefit from professional topical fluoride
application? Answer: Include some children soon after eruption of
the permanent teeth and for some high-risk patients.
◉Which members of the dental healthcare team may perform a
professional topical fluoride application? Answer: Include the
dentist, hygienist, or qualified dental assistant.
◉Is a coronal polishing necessary before a topical fluoride
application, why or why not? Answer: No because fluoride diffuses
easily through the acquired pellicle and bacterial plaque, but not
through calculus.
◉Define cariogenic. Answer: Caries-causing.
