PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY EXAM 3 | DENTAL
HYGIENIST | LATEST 2025-2026 QUESTION AND
CORRECT ANSWER WITH EXPLANATION
WEST COAST UNIVERSITY
1. A 64-year-old patient with poorly controlled diabetes and xerostomia
presents with multiple root caries and generalized bleeding. What is the
MOST critical initial priority?
A. Full-mouth restorations
B. Glycemic control coordination and caries risk stabilization
C. Immediate periodontal surgery
D. Tooth whitening
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Systemic control and disease stabilization must precede
definitive dental interventions to ensure successful outcomes.
2. A patient presents with enamel erosion on palatal surfaces but denies
dietary acid exposure. Which condition should be MOST suspected?
A. Fluorosis
B. Bruxism
C. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
D. Vitamin deficiency
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Intrinsic acid from GERD commonly affects palatal surfaces.
3. A patient with Sjögren’s syndrome reports severe dry mouth and rapid
caries progression. What is the MOST comprehensive preventive plan?
A. Standard fluoride toothpaste only
B. High-fluoride therapy, salivary substitutes, and antimicrobial agents
C. Extraction of all teeth
D. Whitening treatment
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Multi-factor management is required due to severe salivary
dysfunction.
4. A patient presents with localized gingival inflammation around a
crown with overhanging margins. What is the MOST definitive
management?
A. Improve brushing technique only
B. Replace or correct restoration
C. Prescribe antibiotics
D. Ignore
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Removing plaque-retentive factors is essential for resolution.
5. A patient undergoing chemotherapy presents with mucositis and high
infection risk. What is the MOST appropriate preventive care?
A. Alcohol-based rinses
B. Gentle oral hygiene with non-irritating rinses
C. Avoid all oral care
D. Increase acidic foods
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gentle care reduces infection risk while avoiding tissue
irritation.
6. A patient with high caries risk uses fluoride but continues to develop
lesions. What is the MOST appropriate NEXT step?
A. Discontinue fluoride
B. Add antimicrobial therapy and dietary counseling
C. Extract teeth
D. Reduce recall visits
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Addressing bacterial load and diet complements fluoride
therapy.
7. A patient presents with halitosis unresponsive to mouthwash. What is
the MOST likely underlying source?
A. Enamel surface
B. Tongue dorsum biofilm
C. Lips
D. Saliva
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The tongue is the primary reservoir of odor-producing
bacteria.
8. A patient with bruxism presents with enamel wear and muscle pain.
What is the MOST appropriate management?
A. Fluoride only
B. Night guard and behavioral intervention
C. Extraction
D. Whitening
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Managing both mechanical and behavioral factors is essential.
9. A patient frequently consumes acidic beverages and brushes
immediately afterward. What is the MOST harmful outcome?
A. Improved plaque removal
B. Accelerated enamel erosion
C. Reduced sensitivity
D. Increased remineralization
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acid softens enamel, and brushing causes mechanical loss.
HYGIENIST | LATEST 2025-2026 QUESTION AND
CORRECT ANSWER WITH EXPLANATION
WEST COAST UNIVERSITY
1. A 64-year-old patient with poorly controlled diabetes and xerostomia
presents with multiple root caries and generalized bleeding. What is the
MOST critical initial priority?
A. Full-mouth restorations
B. Glycemic control coordination and caries risk stabilization
C. Immediate periodontal surgery
D. Tooth whitening
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Systemic control and disease stabilization must precede
definitive dental interventions to ensure successful outcomes.
2. A patient presents with enamel erosion on palatal surfaces but denies
dietary acid exposure. Which condition should be MOST suspected?
A. Fluorosis
B. Bruxism
C. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
D. Vitamin deficiency
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Intrinsic acid from GERD commonly affects palatal surfaces.
3. A patient with Sjögren’s syndrome reports severe dry mouth and rapid
caries progression. What is the MOST comprehensive preventive plan?
A. Standard fluoride toothpaste only
B. High-fluoride therapy, salivary substitutes, and antimicrobial agents
C. Extraction of all teeth
D. Whitening treatment
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Multi-factor management is required due to severe salivary
dysfunction.
4. A patient presents with localized gingival inflammation around a
crown with overhanging margins. What is the MOST definitive
management?
A. Improve brushing technique only
B. Replace or correct restoration
C. Prescribe antibiotics
D. Ignore
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Removing plaque-retentive factors is essential for resolution.
5. A patient undergoing chemotherapy presents with mucositis and high
infection risk. What is the MOST appropriate preventive care?
A. Alcohol-based rinses
B. Gentle oral hygiene with non-irritating rinses
C. Avoid all oral care
D. Increase acidic foods
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gentle care reduces infection risk while avoiding tissue
irritation.
6. A patient with high caries risk uses fluoride but continues to develop
lesions. What is the MOST appropriate NEXT step?
A. Discontinue fluoride
B. Add antimicrobial therapy and dietary counseling
C. Extract teeth
D. Reduce recall visits
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Addressing bacterial load and diet complements fluoride
therapy.
7. A patient presents with halitosis unresponsive to mouthwash. What is
the MOST likely underlying source?
A. Enamel surface
B. Tongue dorsum biofilm
C. Lips
D. Saliva
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The tongue is the primary reservoir of odor-producing
bacteria.
8. A patient with bruxism presents with enamel wear and muscle pain.
What is the MOST appropriate management?
A. Fluoride only
B. Night guard and behavioral intervention
C. Extraction
D. Whitening
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Managing both mechanical and behavioral factors is essential.
9. A patient frequently consumes acidic beverages and brushes
immediately afterward. What is the MOST harmful outcome?
A. Improved plaque removal
B. Accelerated enamel erosion
C. Reduced sensitivity
D. Increased remineralization
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acid softens enamel, and brushing causes mechanical loss.
