DHP 120 Dental Hygiene
Exam 1 2026 | Study
Guide, Practice Questions,
Answers, Rationales &
Exam Review | Complete
Ethics Study Guide
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
,What is the first and most crucial step in the Dental Assessment Phase
Hygiene Process of Care?
What is the primary purpose of the assessment phase in collect comprehensive subjective and objective data about the patient's overall
dental hygiene? and oral health status. This information forms the foundation for all subsequent
phases of care.
Name at least five types of data that a dental hygienist Medical and dental history, Intraoral/Extraoral examination, Periodontal charting,
collects during the assessment phase. Hard tissue charting (Odontogram), Radiographs (X-rays), Oral hygiene habits:
What is the difference between "subjective data" and Subjective data is information provided by the patient, such as their chief
"objective data" in the assessment phase? complaint, dental fears, or feelings of pain.
Objective data is factual, measurable information gathered by the dental hygienist
through examinations and tests, such as blood pressure readings, periodontal
pocket depths, or the presence of plaque and calculus.
Why is the assessment phase considered a continuous The assessment phase is continuous because a patient's health status can change
process throughout a patient's treatment? at any time. The dental hygienist must constantly re-evaluate the patient's condition
to ensure the care plan remains appropriate and effective. This ongoing
assessment helps determine the need for adjustments to the treatment or referral to
another healthcare provider
Identify Oral and General Health Status: The goal is to get a complete picture of the patient's health, both inside and outside
the mouth
Client Problems, Needs, and Strengths The assessment doesn't just look for what's wrong; it also identifies the patient's
specific needs and what they're already doing well.
The phase of the dental hygiene process of care that DH Diagnosis
involves synthesizing assessment data to reach
conclusions about a client's needs is the
Which of the following describes the key role of critical It is a skill used to identify and refer patients to a dentist; Critical thinking is used to
thinking in the Dental Hygiene Diagnosis? determine when a patient's problem is beyond the hygienist's scope and requires a
referral, which is a key part of the diagnosis.
A patient is a smoker with inflamed, bleeding gums. A Needs for increased plaque control related to tobacco use
correct dental hygiene diagnosis would be:
The Dental Hygiene Diagnosis is based on all available Patient-centered and evidence-based.
assessment data and evidence in the literature. This
ensures the diagnosis is:
Which of the following is a key component of the Dental Communicating conclusions about a patient's needs.
Hygiene Diagnosis?
, After performing the Dental Hygiene Diagnosis, the Planning
hygienist would then move on to which phase of the
process of care?
A statement like 'Need for effective biofilm control' is an A Dental Hygiene Diagnosis; This is a classic example of a dental hygiene
example of what? diagnosis, as it identifies a patient's need that can be managed by a dental
hygienist through patient education and skill training.
What is the overall goal of the Dental Hygiene Diagnosis To identify problems that can be treated by the dental hygienist.
phase?
3rd phase of dental hygiene process of care? Planning; Create a patient centered care plan
What is a patient centered care plan? Figuring out the HOW. How to fix the problem. Set Goals, Get Consent, Plan
interventions, Collaborate.
What is the primary goal of the planning phase in the To develop a patient-centered care plan and obtain informed consent.
dental hygiene process of care?
Which of the following is an essential component of Explaining the proposed interventions, their benefits, risks, and alternatives.
informed consent during the planning phase?
Why is collaboration with the client (patient) so crucial It ensures the goals and interventions are realistic and align with the patient's
during the planning phase? values and expectations
The patient's chief complaint is "My gums are sore and Creating a plan for in-office scaling and providing at-home oral hygiene instructions
swollen." The dental hygiene diagnosis is "Need for
improved plaque biofilm control." Which of the following
would be an appropriate planning intervention?
Which of the following phrases best describes the main A detailed, written dental hygiene care plan.
outcome of the planning phase?
Dental Hygiene Process of Care- Implementation Delivery of dental hygiene services based on the dental hygiene care plan,
including any required modifications, while minimizing risk and optimizing oral
health, as ell as any needed patient education following treatment for self care,
followup, continuing care or maintaince
During which phase of the Dental Hygiene Process of Care Implementation
is professional treatment, such as scaling and root planing,
delivered to the patient?
Exam 1 2026 | Study
Guide, Practice Questions,
Answers, Rationales &
Exam Review | Complete
Ethics Study Guide
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
,What is the first and most crucial step in the Dental Assessment Phase
Hygiene Process of Care?
What is the primary purpose of the assessment phase in collect comprehensive subjective and objective data about the patient's overall
dental hygiene? and oral health status. This information forms the foundation for all subsequent
phases of care.
Name at least five types of data that a dental hygienist Medical and dental history, Intraoral/Extraoral examination, Periodontal charting,
collects during the assessment phase. Hard tissue charting (Odontogram), Radiographs (X-rays), Oral hygiene habits:
What is the difference between "subjective data" and Subjective data is information provided by the patient, such as their chief
"objective data" in the assessment phase? complaint, dental fears, or feelings of pain.
Objective data is factual, measurable information gathered by the dental hygienist
through examinations and tests, such as blood pressure readings, periodontal
pocket depths, or the presence of plaque and calculus.
Why is the assessment phase considered a continuous The assessment phase is continuous because a patient's health status can change
process throughout a patient's treatment? at any time. The dental hygienist must constantly re-evaluate the patient's condition
to ensure the care plan remains appropriate and effective. This ongoing
assessment helps determine the need for adjustments to the treatment or referral to
another healthcare provider
Identify Oral and General Health Status: The goal is to get a complete picture of the patient's health, both inside and outside
the mouth
Client Problems, Needs, and Strengths The assessment doesn't just look for what's wrong; it also identifies the patient's
specific needs and what they're already doing well.
The phase of the dental hygiene process of care that DH Diagnosis
involves synthesizing assessment data to reach
conclusions about a client's needs is the
Which of the following describes the key role of critical It is a skill used to identify and refer patients to a dentist; Critical thinking is used to
thinking in the Dental Hygiene Diagnosis? determine when a patient's problem is beyond the hygienist's scope and requires a
referral, which is a key part of the diagnosis.
A patient is a smoker with inflamed, bleeding gums. A Needs for increased plaque control related to tobacco use
correct dental hygiene diagnosis would be:
The Dental Hygiene Diagnosis is based on all available Patient-centered and evidence-based.
assessment data and evidence in the literature. This
ensures the diagnosis is:
Which of the following is a key component of the Dental Communicating conclusions about a patient's needs.
Hygiene Diagnosis?
, After performing the Dental Hygiene Diagnosis, the Planning
hygienist would then move on to which phase of the
process of care?
A statement like 'Need for effective biofilm control' is an A Dental Hygiene Diagnosis; This is a classic example of a dental hygiene
example of what? diagnosis, as it identifies a patient's need that can be managed by a dental
hygienist through patient education and skill training.
What is the overall goal of the Dental Hygiene Diagnosis To identify problems that can be treated by the dental hygienist.
phase?
3rd phase of dental hygiene process of care? Planning; Create a patient centered care plan
What is a patient centered care plan? Figuring out the HOW. How to fix the problem. Set Goals, Get Consent, Plan
interventions, Collaborate.
What is the primary goal of the planning phase in the To develop a patient-centered care plan and obtain informed consent.
dental hygiene process of care?
Which of the following is an essential component of Explaining the proposed interventions, their benefits, risks, and alternatives.
informed consent during the planning phase?
Why is collaboration with the client (patient) so crucial It ensures the goals and interventions are realistic and align with the patient's
during the planning phase? values and expectations
The patient's chief complaint is "My gums are sore and Creating a plan for in-office scaling and providing at-home oral hygiene instructions
swollen." The dental hygiene diagnosis is "Need for
improved plaque biofilm control." Which of the following
would be an appropriate planning intervention?
Which of the following phrases best describes the main A detailed, written dental hygiene care plan.
outcome of the planning phase?
Dental Hygiene Process of Care- Implementation Delivery of dental hygiene services based on the dental hygiene care plan,
including any required modifications, while minimizing risk and optimizing oral
health, as ell as any needed patient education following treatment for self care,
followup, continuing care or maintaince
During which phase of the Dental Hygiene Process of Care Implementation
is professional treatment, such as scaling and root planing,
delivered to the patient?
