PERIODONTOLOGY EXAM 5 | DENTAL
HYGIENIST | LATEST 2025-2026 QUESTION AND
CORRECT ANSWER WITH EXPLANATION
WEST COAST UNIVERSITY
1. A 62-year-old patient presents with CAL of 5 mm, bone loss to the
middle third, and 3 teeth lost due to periodontitis. What is the MOST
appropriate stage?
A. Stage II
B. Stage III
C. Stage IV
D. Stage I
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ≤4 teeth lost due to periodontitis = Stage III.
2. A patient with Stage III periodontitis is a smoker of 25 cigarettes/day.
What is the MOST appropriate grade?
A. Grade A
B. Grade B
C. Grade C
D. Cannot determine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Heavy smoking automatically classifies as Grade C.
3. A patient presents with severe bone loss but minimal plaque
accumulation. What is the MOST likely explanation?
A. Poor hygiene
B. Host immune/genetic susceptibility
C. Fluoride deficiency
D. Excess saliva
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Disproportionate destruction suggests host factors.
,4. A diabetic patient (HbA1c 9.5%) presents with generalized
periodontitis. What is the MOST appropriate grade?
A. Grade A
B. Grade B
C. Grade C
D. Cannot determine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Poor glycemic control increases progression risk.
5. A patient presents with 7 mm pockets, vertical defects, but no tooth
loss. What is the MOST appropriate stage?
A. Stage II
B. Stage III
C. Stage IV
D. Stage I
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Complexity without major tooth loss = Stage III.
6. A patient presents with deep pockets and furcation involvement. What
does this MOST indicate?
A. Gingivitis
B. Advanced periodontitis
C. Fluorosis
D. Caries
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Furcation involvement indicates advanced destruction.
7. A smoker presents with deep pockets but minimal bleeding. What is
the MOST likely interpretation?
, A. Healthy tissue
B. Masked inflammation
C. Measurement error
D. Gingivitis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Smoking suppresses clinical signs.
8. A patient presents with drug-induced gingival enlargement. Which
medication class is MOST commonly associated?
A. Antibiotics
B. Anticonvulsants/calcium channel blockers
C. Antifungals
D. Antihistamines
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: These drugs commonly cause gingival overgrowth.
9. A patient presents with necrotizing periodontal disease. What is the
MOST important initial intervention?
A. Surgery
B. Infection control and debridement
C. Extraction
D. Whitening
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acute infection must be managed first.
10. A patient has persistent 6–7 mm pockets after SRP. What is the
NEXT step?
A. No treatment
B. Periodontal surgery
C. Whitening
D. Extraction
HYGIENIST | LATEST 2025-2026 QUESTION AND
CORRECT ANSWER WITH EXPLANATION
WEST COAST UNIVERSITY
1. A 62-year-old patient presents with CAL of 5 mm, bone loss to the
middle third, and 3 teeth lost due to periodontitis. What is the MOST
appropriate stage?
A. Stage II
B. Stage III
C. Stage IV
D. Stage I
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ≤4 teeth lost due to periodontitis = Stage III.
2. A patient with Stage III periodontitis is a smoker of 25 cigarettes/day.
What is the MOST appropriate grade?
A. Grade A
B. Grade B
C. Grade C
D. Cannot determine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Heavy smoking automatically classifies as Grade C.
3. A patient presents with severe bone loss but minimal plaque
accumulation. What is the MOST likely explanation?
A. Poor hygiene
B. Host immune/genetic susceptibility
C. Fluoride deficiency
D. Excess saliva
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Disproportionate destruction suggests host factors.
,4. A diabetic patient (HbA1c 9.5%) presents with generalized
periodontitis. What is the MOST appropriate grade?
A. Grade A
B. Grade B
C. Grade C
D. Cannot determine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Poor glycemic control increases progression risk.
5. A patient presents with 7 mm pockets, vertical defects, but no tooth
loss. What is the MOST appropriate stage?
A. Stage II
B. Stage III
C. Stage IV
D. Stage I
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Complexity without major tooth loss = Stage III.
6. A patient presents with deep pockets and furcation involvement. What
does this MOST indicate?
A. Gingivitis
B. Advanced periodontitis
C. Fluorosis
D. Caries
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Furcation involvement indicates advanced destruction.
7. A smoker presents with deep pockets but minimal bleeding. What is
the MOST likely interpretation?
, A. Healthy tissue
B. Masked inflammation
C. Measurement error
D. Gingivitis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Smoking suppresses clinical signs.
8. A patient presents with drug-induced gingival enlargement. Which
medication class is MOST commonly associated?
A. Antibiotics
B. Anticonvulsants/calcium channel blockers
C. Antifungals
D. Antihistamines
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: These drugs commonly cause gingival overgrowth.
9. A patient presents with necrotizing periodontal disease. What is the
MOST important initial intervention?
A. Surgery
B. Infection control and debridement
C. Extraction
D. Whitening
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acute infection must be managed first.
10. A patient has persistent 6–7 mm pockets after SRP. What is the
NEXT step?
A. No treatment
B. Periodontal surgery
C. Whitening
D. Extraction
