,Chapter 01: The Dental Hygiene Profession
ff ff ff ff ff
MULTIPLE CHOICE ff
1. What is the discipline of dental hygiene?
ff ff ff ff ff ff
a. The study of teeth and their supporting structures
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
b. Brushing and flossing one’s teeth and rinsing with an antimicrobial mouth rinse
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
twice a day, morning and night
ff ff ff ff ff ff
c. The study of preventive oral healthcare, including the management of behavior
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
to prevent oral disease and promote health
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
d. The study of those procedures that dental hygienists provide to clients
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
ANS: f f C
The study of teeth and their supporting structures. This answer is wrong because the
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
discipline of dental hygiene covers much more information than the study of teeth and
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
supporting structures. Dental hygiene focuses on the preventive measures that the teeth and
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
supporting structures must receive, in addition to other oral healthcare steps that must be
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
taken to promote one’s health.
ff ff f f ff ff
Brushing and flossing one’s teeth and rinsing with an antimicrobial mouth rinse twice a
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
day, morning and night. This answer is wrong because this statement describes only one
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
procedure within the discipline of dental hygiene. Dental hygiene is a much larger and
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
general field of study than this simple preventive action.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
The study of preventive oral healthcare including the management of behavior to prevent oral
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
disease and promote health. This answer is correct because this is the direct definition of
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
dental hygiene. The definition can be broken down into smaller, specified divisions to
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
further develop the discipline of dental hygiene.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
The study of those procedures that dental hygienists provide to clients. This answer is
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
wrong because dental hygienists play many interrelated roles, such as clinician, educator,
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
administrator or manager, advocate, and researcher. Although each of these roles is created to
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
assist in dental hygiene, the discipline is not centered on the actions and procedures of the
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
dental hygienist.
ff ff
REF: ff ff What is Dental Hygiene? | 1 ff ff ff ff ff
2. Who is the professional dental hygienist?
ff ff ff ff ff
a. A licensed preventive oral health professional who has graduated from a
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
Commission on Dental Accreditation, accredited, entry level dental
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
hygiene program
ff ff
b. A licensed person who has learned on the job via a preceptorship program, such
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
as the Alabama Dental Hygienists Program
ff ff ff ff ff ff
c. A dentist who has graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation,
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
accredited, dental school program
ff ff ff ff
d. A person who has graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation,
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
accredited, dental assisting program
ff ff ff ff
ANS: f f A
, A licensed preventive oral health professional who has graduated from a Commission on
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
Dental Accreditation, accredited, entry level dental hygiene program. This answer is
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
correct because to be eligible as a professional dental hygienist, the person must have
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
graduated from an accredited dental hygiene program.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
A licensed person who has learned on the job via a preceptorship program, such as the
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
Alabama Dental Hygienists Program. This answer is wrong because a dental hygienist
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
cannot learn on the job to become a professional. Rather, they must pass written
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
examinations and graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
A dentist who has graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation, accredited, dental
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
school program. This answer is wrong because a dentist has a higher degree than a dental
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
hygienist and therefore, generally, works above a dental hygienist. It is not necessary for a
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
dental hygienist to receive an education from a dental school.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
A person who has graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation, accredited, dental
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
assisting program. This answer is wrong because a person graduating from an accredited
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
dental assisting program would only be licensed as a dental assistant.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
REF: ff ff Who Is the Dental Hygienist? | 1 ff ff ff ff ff ff
3. All of these services are provided by the majority of dental hygienists in the clinical setting
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
except one. Which one is the exception?
ff ff ff ff ff ff
a. Perform periodontal maintenance care. ff ff ff
b. Implement interventions to direct a person back to oral wellness. ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
c. Provide fluoride varnish treatment. ff ff ff
d. Place and remove restorations. ff ff ff
ANS: f f D
Perform periodontal maintenance care. This is a service provided in the clinical setting. The
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
clinical setting allows for application of preventive and therapeutic agents related to
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
periodontal disease. For example: subgingival sustained-release delivery systems containing
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
chlorhexidine.
ff
Implement interventions to direct a person back to oral wellness. This is a service provided
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
in the clinical setting. The main goal of a dental hygienist is to prevent oral disease and
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
promote health. Therefore, if the state of an individual’s oral health changes, the dental
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
hygienist (within the scope of the clinical setting) can provide some degree of intervention
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
to direct the individual back to oral wellness.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
Provide fluoride varnish treatment. This is a service provided in the clinical setting. The
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
clinical setting allows for application of preventive and therapeutic agents related to dental
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
caries. Fluoride varnish treatments prolong fluoride exposure on the tooth surface for safe
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
and effective caries control.
ff ff ff ff
Place and remove restorations. This service is not provided by the majority of dental
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
hygienists in the clinical setting. Only a few dental hygienists have the certification to
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
place restorations, while many others do not. Also, the removal of restorations is not a given
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
action of a dental hygienist in the clinical setting.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
REF: ff ff Clinician | 3 ff ff
4. Which of the following is a key behavior within the dental hygiene process of care?
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
a. Observation
b. Diagnosis
c. Communication skills ff
, d. Client care ff
ANS: f f B
Observation. This answer is wrong because dental hygienists must go further than simply
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
observing the client. The hygienist must assess the client by thoroughly collecting data.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
Diagnosis. This answer is correct because identifying the diagnosis is the focal point for
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
establishing goals in the dental hygiene care plan. The client’s dental hygiene needs are
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
determined so that specific interventions can be implemented.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
Communication skills. This answer is wrong because the communication skills are not a key ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
behavior and are not necessary to complete the dental hygiene process.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
Client care. This answer is wrong because client care is not one of the steps in dental
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
hygiene care. However, proper client care is the goal being achieved through the key
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
behaviors.
ff
REF: f f What Is the Dental Hygiene Process of Care? | 1
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
5. Which of the following is not an environmental factor that the dental hygienist takes
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
into account in the Human Needs Model?
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
a. Age
b. Attitudes
c. Lifestyles
d. Weight
ANS: f f D
Age. This answer is an environmental factor that must be taken into account because age
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
plays a large role in the development of an individual’s oral health.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
Attitudes. This answer is an environmental factor that must be taken into account because it
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
can have an effect on the dental hygiene process.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
Lifestyles. This answer is an environmental factor that must be taken into account because an
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
individual’s oral health can be affected by lifestyle choices.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
Weight. This answer is not an environmental factor that must be taken into account because an
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
individual’s weight does not affect their oral health. The diet choices that go along with a
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
person’s particular weight may affect oral health, but the overall weight of an individual
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
does not.
ff ff
REF: f f What Is the Dental Hygiene Process of Care? | 1
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
6. Which of the following is not one of the seven roles of a dental hygienist?
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
a. Clinician
b. Public Health ff
c. Interpreter
d. Researcher
ANS: f f C
The seven roles of a dental hygienist are clinician, public health, researcher, educator,
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
administrator, and entrepreneur.
ff ff ff
REF: f f Chapter One, Table 1-1 Seven Roles of the Dental Hygienist | 4
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
7. What is a paradigm? ff ff ff
a. A widely accepted worldview of a discipline that shapes the knowledge of its
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
practitioners, educators, administrators, and researchers
ff ff ff ff ff
ff ff ff ff ff
MULTIPLE CHOICE ff
1. What is the discipline of dental hygiene?
ff ff ff ff ff ff
a. The study of teeth and their supporting structures
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
b. Brushing and flossing one’s teeth and rinsing with an antimicrobial mouth rinse
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
twice a day, morning and night
ff ff ff ff ff ff
c. The study of preventive oral healthcare, including the management of behavior
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
to prevent oral disease and promote health
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
d. The study of those procedures that dental hygienists provide to clients
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
ANS: f f C
The study of teeth and their supporting structures. This answer is wrong because the
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
discipline of dental hygiene covers much more information than the study of teeth and
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
supporting structures. Dental hygiene focuses on the preventive measures that the teeth and
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
supporting structures must receive, in addition to other oral healthcare steps that must be
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
taken to promote one’s health.
ff ff f f ff ff
Brushing and flossing one’s teeth and rinsing with an antimicrobial mouth rinse twice a
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
day, morning and night. This answer is wrong because this statement describes only one
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
procedure within the discipline of dental hygiene. Dental hygiene is a much larger and
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
general field of study than this simple preventive action.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
The study of preventive oral healthcare including the management of behavior to prevent oral
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
disease and promote health. This answer is correct because this is the direct definition of
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
dental hygiene. The definition can be broken down into smaller, specified divisions to
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
further develop the discipline of dental hygiene.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
The study of those procedures that dental hygienists provide to clients. This answer is
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
wrong because dental hygienists play many interrelated roles, such as clinician, educator,
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
administrator or manager, advocate, and researcher. Although each of these roles is created to
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
assist in dental hygiene, the discipline is not centered on the actions and procedures of the
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
dental hygienist.
ff ff
REF: ff ff What is Dental Hygiene? | 1 ff ff ff ff ff
2. Who is the professional dental hygienist?
ff ff ff ff ff
a. A licensed preventive oral health professional who has graduated from a
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
Commission on Dental Accreditation, accredited, entry level dental
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
hygiene program
ff ff
b. A licensed person who has learned on the job via a preceptorship program, such
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
as the Alabama Dental Hygienists Program
ff ff ff ff ff ff
c. A dentist who has graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation,
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
accredited, dental school program
ff ff ff ff
d. A person who has graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation,
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
accredited, dental assisting program
ff ff ff ff
ANS: f f A
, A licensed preventive oral health professional who has graduated from a Commission on
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
Dental Accreditation, accredited, entry level dental hygiene program. This answer is
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
correct because to be eligible as a professional dental hygienist, the person must have
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
graduated from an accredited dental hygiene program.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
A licensed person who has learned on the job via a preceptorship program, such as the
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
Alabama Dental Hygienists Program. This answer is wrong because a dental hygienist
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
cannot learn on the job to become a professional. Rather, they must pass written
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
examinations and graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
A dentist who has graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation, accredited, dental
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
school program. This answer is wrong because a dentist has a higher degree than a dental
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
hygienist and therefore, generally, works above a dental hygienist. It is not necessary for a
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
dental hygienist to receive an education from a dental school.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
A person who has graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation, accredited, dental
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
assisting program. This answer is wrong because a person graduating from an accredited
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
dental assisting program would only be licensed as a dental assistant.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
REF: ff ff Who Is the Dental Hygienist? | 1 ff ff ff ff ff ff
3. All of these services are provided by the majority of dental hygienists in the clinical setting
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
except one. Which one is the exception?
ff ff ff ff ff ff
a. Perform periodontal maintenance care. ff ff ff
b. Implement interventions to direct a person back to oral wellness. ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
c. Provide fluoride varnish treatment. ff ff ff
d. Place and remove restorations. ff ff ff
ANS: f f D
Perform periodontal maintenance care. This is a service provided in the clinical setting. The
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
clinical setting allows for application of preventive and therapeutic agents related to
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
periodontal disease. For example: subgingival sustained-release delivery systems containing
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
chlorhexidine.
ff
Implement interventions to direct a person back to oral wellness. This is a service provided
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
in the clinical setting. The main goal of a dental hygienist is to prevent oral disease and
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
promote health. Therefore, if the state of an individual’s oral health changes, the dental
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
hygienist (within the scope of the clinical setting) can provide some degree of intervention
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
to direct the individual back to oral wellness.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
Provide fluoride varnish treatment. This is a service provided in the clinical setting. The
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
clinical setting allows for application of preventive and therapeutic agents related to dental
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
caries. Fluoride varnish treatments prolong fluoride exposure on the tooth surface for safe
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
and effective caries control.
ff ff ff ff
Place and remove restorations. This service is not provided by the majority of dental
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
hygienists in the clinical setting. Only a few dental hygienists have the certification to
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
place restorations, while many others do not. Also, the removal of restorations is not a given
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
action of a dental hygienist in the clinical setting.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
REF: ff ff Clinician | 3 ff ff
4. Which of the following is a key behavior within the dental hygiene process of care?
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
a. Observation
b. Diagnosis
c. Communication skills ff
, d. Client care ff
ANS: f f B
Observation. This answer is wrong because dental hygienists must go further than simply
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
observing the client. The hygienist must assess the client by thoroughly collecting data.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
Diagnosis. This answer is correct because identifying the diagnosis is the focal point for
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
establishing goals in the dental hygiene care plan. The client’s dental hygiene needs are
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
determined so that specific interventions can be implemented.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
Communication skills. This answer is wrong because the communication skills are not a key ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
behavior and are not necessary to complete the dental hygiene process.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
Client care. This answer is wrong because client care is not one of the steps in dental
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
hygiene care. However, proper client care is the goal being achieved through the key
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
behaviors.
ff
REF: f f What Is the Dental Hygiene Process of Care? | 1
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
5. Which of the following is not an environmental factor that the dental hygienist takes
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
into account in the Human Needs Model?
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
a. Age
b. Attitudes
c. Lifestyles
d. Weight
ANS: f f D
Age. This answer is an environmental factor that must be taken into account because age
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
plays a large role in the development of an individual’s oral health.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
Attitudes. This answer is an environmental factor that must be taken into account because it
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
can have an effect on the dental hygiene process.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
Lifestyles. This answer is an environmental factor that must be taken into account because an
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
individual’s oral health can be affected by lifestyle choices.
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
Weight. This answer is not an environmental factor that must be taken into account because an
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
individual’s weight does not affect their oral health. The diet choices that go along with a
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
person’s particular weight may affect oral health, but the overall weight of an individual
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
does not.
ff ff
REF: f f What Is the Dental Hygiene Process of Care? | 1
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
6. Which of the following is not one of the seven roles of a dental hygienist?
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
a. Clinician
b. Public Health ff
c. Interpreter
d. Researcher
ANS: f f C
The seven roles of a dental hygienist are clinician, public health, researcher, educator,
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
administrator, and entrepreneur.
ff ff ff
REF: f f Chapter One, Table 1-1 Seven Roles of the Dental Hygienist | 4
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
7. What is a paradigm? ff ff ff
a. A widely accepted worldview of a discipline that shapes the knowledge of its
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
practitioners, educators, administrators, and researchers
ff ff ff ff ff
