Questions and CORRECT Answers
What is the most likely cause of xerostomia?
A: Medications
B: Smoking
C: Diabetes
D: Chemotherapy - CORRECT ANSWER - A: Medications
At what salivary flow rate is xerostomia diagnosed?
A: >2ml/min
B: >1ml/min
C: <.1ml/min - CORRECT ANSWER - C: <.1ml/min
What is someone at most risk for with xerostomia?
A: Periodontitis
B: Gingivitis
C: Caries
D: Not at risk - CORRECT ANSWER - C: Caries
Where on the patient should the CariScreen meter cotton swab be used? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Mandibular lingual anteriors, canine to canine (Do NOT touch the gingiva)
What reading is considered healthy for a patient from the CariScreen meter? - CORRECT
ANSWER - <1500
How long do you need to wait, after putting the cotton swab in the CariScreen meter, to read the
patients carries risk? - CORRECT ANSWER - 10 seconds to calibrate, about 20 seconds
for the machine to calculate
,T/F: Any swab will work with the CariScreen meter? - CORRECT ANSWER - FALSE - it
has to be the swab provided inside the CariScreen meter
What patients can benefit from the caregiver standing positioning? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Patients with disabilities or bed-bound/paralyzed/wheel chaired patients.
What patients can benefit from Collis toothbrushes? - CORRECT ANSWER - Pt with
disability or bed-bound/paralyzed/wheel chaired patients.
What type of toothbrush can be used with disability patients? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Collis toothbrush
What materials could you add to a toothbrush for a patient with no hands or limited hand use? -
CORRECT ANSWER - A strap to wrap around their arm
What are the 2 different ways of correcting sensitivity? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Occlusion of the dentinal tubules & depolarization of a nerve.
What is an indication for use of a desensitizing agent? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Sensitivity to hot, cold and touch.
How many Self-applied methods are there for sensitivity? - CORRECT ANSWER - 3;
Dentifrices, Gels, & Mouth rinses
What else can you do if the patient refuses to take any patient education paper brochures home? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Show the educational material on the computer, email the link to
the patient, and stress the importance of homecare.
, How can you provide materials for patients with limited English? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Click on the "Español" button at the top of the ADA PatientSmart page or
using the language dropdown menu on the DentalCare page
What types of patient education materials can be found online?
A: Pregnancy gingivitis
B: Xerostomia
C: Electric toothbrushes
D: All of the above - CORRECT ANSWER - D: All of the above
Why is it important to send oral hygiene education material home with patients? - CORRECT
ANSWER - To reinforce oral hygiene care at home and to provide instruction if the patient
forgets techniques.
Where are the oral care paper brochures/pamphlets located? - CORRECT ANSWER - In
the dental hygiene alcove (microscope room)
Tongue cleaners are most useful in improving which of the following oral conditions?
A: Caries
B: Gingivitis
C: Halitosis
D: Bleeding - CORRECT ANSWER - C: Halitosis
T/F: Tongue Cleaning slows dental biofilm formation and total biofilm accumulation -
CORRECT ANSWER - True
What types of Tongue Cleaners can be used? - CORRECT ANSWER - curved with a
single handle
curved with two ends to hold
raised, textured rubber pad on the back side of the brush head