PERIODONTOLOGY EXAM 3 | DENTAL
HYGIENIST | LATEST 2025-2026 QUESTION AND
CORRECT ANSWER WITH EXPLANATION
WEST COAST UNIVERSITY
1. A patient presents with CAL of 2 mm, bone loss <15%, and no tooth
loss. However, radiographs show slight horizontal bone loss. What is the
MOST appropriate stage?
A. Stage I
B. Stage II
C. Stage III
D. Gingivitis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: CAL 1–2 mm and minimal bone loss (<15%) indicate Stage I.
2. A patient presents with CAL of 3 mm and bone loss <15%, but is a
heavy smoker. What is the MOST appropriate classification?
A. Stage I, Grade A
B. Stage II, Grade B
C. Stage I, Grade C
D. Stage II, Grade C
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: CAL 3 mm = Stage II; smoking elevates grade to C.
3. A patient has 6 mm pockets but no radiographic bone loss. What is the
MOST likely explanation?
A. Severe periodontitis
B. Pseudopocketing due to gingival enlargement
C. Aggressive periodontitis
D. Measurement error
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Deep pockets without bone loss suggest pseudopockets.
,4. A patient presents with generalized inflammation, bleeding, and no
CAL, but with systemic lupus erythematosus. What is the MOST
appropriate diagnosis?
A. Periodontitis
B. Gingivitis modified by systemic condition
C. Aggressive periodontitis
D. Necrotizing disease
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Systemic disease modifies gingival response without
attachment loss.
5. A patient shows rapid attachment loss over 6 months with minimal
plaque. What is the MOST likely cause?
A. Poor hygiene
B. Host immune dysfunction
C. Fluoride deficiency
D. Saliva deficiency
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rapid progression suggests immune/systemic factors.
6. A patient presents with 7 mm pockets, vertical bone defects, and Class
II furcation. What is the MOST appropriate stage?
A. Stage II
B. Stage III
C. Stage IV
D. Stage I
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Complexity factors without tooth loss = Stage III.
7. Which condition is MOST likely to mask clinical signs of periodontal
inflammation?
, A. Diabetes
B. Smoking
C. Hypertension
D. Asthma
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Smoking reduces bleeding and inflammatory signs.
8. A patient with well-controlled diabetes presents with moderate
periodontitis. What is the MOST appropriate grade?
A. Grade A
B. Grade B
C. Grade C
D. Cannot determine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Controlled diabetes typically corresponds to Grade B.
9. A patient has generalized bone loss to the apical third and multiple
missing teeth due to periodontitis. What is the MOST appropriate stage?
A. Stage II
B. Stage III
C. Stage IV
D. Stage I
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Severe bone loss with tooth loss and functional impairment =
Stage IV.
10. A patient presents with localized deep pockets and suppuration. What
is the MOST likely diagnosis?
A. Gingivitis
B. Periodontal abscess
C. Aggressive periodontitis
D. Recession
HYGIENIST | LATEST 2025-2026 QUESTION AND
CORRECT ANSWER WITH EXPLANATION
WEST COAST UNIVERSITY
1. A patient presents with CAL of 2 mm, bone loss <15%, and no tooth
loss. However, radiographs show slight horizontal bone loss. What is the
MOST appropriate stage?
A. Stage I
B. Stage II
C. Stage III
D. Gingivitis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: CAL 1–2 mm and minimal bone loss (<15%) indicate Stage I.
2. A patient presents with CAL of 3 mm and bone loss <15%, but is a
heavy smoker. What is the MOST appropriate classification?
A. Stage I, Grade A
B. Stage II, Grade B
C. Stage I, Grade C
D. Stage II, Grade C
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: CAL 3 mm = Stage II; smoking elevates grade to C.
3. A patient has 6 mm pockets but no radiographic bone loss. What is the
MOST likely explanation?
A. Severe periodontitis
B. Pseudopocketing due to gingival enlargement
C. Aggressive periodontitis
D. Measurement error
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Deep pockets without bone loss suggest pseudopockets.
,4. A patient presents with generalized inflammation, bleeding, and no
CAL, but with systemic lupus erythematosus. What is the MOST
appropriate diagnosis?
A. Periodontitis
B. Gingivitis modified by systemic condition
C. Aggressive periodontitis
D. Necrotizing disease
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Systemic disease modifies gingival response without
attachment loss.
5. A patient shows rapid attachment loss over 6 months with minimal
plaque. What is the MOST likely cause?
A. Poor hygiene
B. Host immune dysfunction
C. Fluoride deficiency
D. Saliva deficiency
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rapid progression suggests immune/systemic factors.
6. A patient presents with 7 mm pockets, vertical bone defects, and Class
II furcation. What is the MOST appropriate stage?
A. Stage II
B. Stage III
C. Stage IV
D. Stage I
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Complexity factors without tooth loss = Stage III.
7. Which condition is MOST likely to mask clinical signs of periodontal
inflammation?
, A. Diabetes
B. Smoking
C. Hypertension
D. Asthma
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Smoking reduces bleeding and inflammatory signs.
8. A patient with well-controlled diabetes presents with moderate
periodontitis. What is the MOST appropriate grade?
A. Grade A
B. Grade B
C. Grade C
D. Cannot determine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Controlled diabetes typically corresponds to Grade B.
9. A patient has generalized bone loss to the apical third and multiple
missing teeth due to periodontitis. What is the MOST appropriate stage?
A. Stage II
B. Stage III
C. Stage IV
D. Stage I
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Severe bone loss with tooth loss and functional impairment =
Stage IV.
10. A patient presents with localized deep pockets and suppuration. What
is the MOST likely diagnosis?
A. Gingivitis
B. Periodontal abscess
C. Aggressive periodontitis
D. Recession
