Dental Hygiene-Theory and Practice
Questions and Answers Latest Version
Graded A+
What is the primary function of the dental hygiene process of care?
✔✔The primary function is to assess, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care for
the improvement of oral health.
What is the first step in the dental hygiene process of care?
✔✔The first step is the assessment, where the dental hygienist gathers patient health history,
performs an oral examination, and assesses the patient's oral health status.
What is the purpose of scaling in dental hygiene practice?
✔✔The purpose of scaling is to remove plaque, calculus, and other debris from the teeth and
under the gumline to prevent periodontal disease.
What is the role of fluoride in dental hygiene?
✔✔Fluoride helps to remineralize tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay and promoting
overall oral health.
1
,What does "periodontal debridement" refer to?
✔✔Periodontal debridement refers to the removal of plaque, calculus, and bacterial toxins from
the teeth and root surfaces in order to promote periodontal healing.
How often should a dental hygienist perform an oral cancer screening during a patient’s visit?
✔✔Oral cancer screenings should be performed at every patient visit as part of routine care.
What does the term "subgingival" mean in dental hygiene practice?
✔✔Subgingival refers to the area beneath the gumline, where plaque and calculus may
accumulate, often requiring special instruments for cleaning.
What is the role of the dental hygienist in patient education?
✔✔The dental hygienist educates patients about proper brushing, flossing techniques, nutrition,
and overall oral health to prevent dental diseases.
What is the purpose of using a dental explorer during an examination?
✔✔A dental explorer is used to detect tooth decay, cavities, or other irregularities in the surface
of the teeth.
2
, What is a common sign of gingivitis?
✔✔A common sign of gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums, which may include redness,
swelling, and bleeding, especially when brushing or flossing.
What are the benefits of using disclosing agents in dental hygiene practice?
✔✔Disclosing agents are used to reveal areas of plaque on the teeth, helping patients visualize
where they need to improve their brushing and flossing techniques.
What is the function of a dental scaler?
✔✔A dental scaler is used to remove plaque and tartar (calculus) from the tooth surfaces,
especially from areas beneath the gumline.
What is the term for the removal of plaque and calculus from the root surfaces?
✔✔The term is root planing, which smooths the root surfaces to remove bacterial toxins and
promote healing.
What does "exudate" refer to in periodontal care?
✔✔Exudate refers to a fluid that may be present in the periodontal pockets, often indicating
infection or inflammation, such as pus or blood.
3
Questions and Answers Latest Version
Graded A+
What is the primary function of the dental hygiene process of care?
✔✔The primary function is to assess, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care for
the improvement of oral health.
What is the first step in the dental hygiene process of care?
✔✔The first step is the assessment, where the dental hygienist gathers patient health history,
performs an oral examination, and assesses the patient's oral health status.
What is the purpose of scaling in dental hygiene practice?
✔✔The purpose of scaling is to remove plaque, calculus, and other debris from the teeth and
under the gumline to prevent periodontal disease.
What is the role of fluoride in dental hygiene?
✔✔Fluoride helps to remineralize tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay and promoting
overall oral health.
1
,What does "periodontal debridement" refer to?
✔✔Periodontal debridement refers to the removal of plaque, calculus, and bacterial toxins from
the teeth and root surfaces in order to promote periodontal healing.
How often should a dental hygienist perform an oral cancer screening during a patient’s visit?
✔✔Oral cancer screenings should be performed at every patient visit as part of routine care.
What does the term "subgingival" mean in dental hygiene practice?
✔✔Subgingival refers to the area beneath the gumline, where plaque and calculus may
accumulate, often requiring special instruments for cleaning.
What is the role of the dental hygienist in patient education?
✔✔The dental hygienist educates patients about proper brushing, flossing techniques, nutrition,
and overall oral health to prevent dental diseases.
What is the purpose of using a dental explorer during an examination?
✔✔A dental explorer is used to detect tooth decay, cavities, or other irregularities in the surface
of the teeth.
2
, What is a common sign of gingivitis?
✔✔A common sign of gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums, which may include redness,
swelling, and bleeding, especially when brushing or flossing.
What are the benefits of using disclosing agents in dental hygiene practice?
✔✔Disclosing agents are used to reveal areas of plaque on the teeth, helping patients visualize
where they need to improve their brushing and flossing techniques.
What is the function of a dental scaler?
✔✔A dental scaler is used to remove plaque and tartar (calculus) from the tooth surfaces,
especially from areas beneath the gumline.
What is the term for the removal of plaque and calculus from the root surfaces?
✔✔The term is root planing, which smooths the root surfaces to remove bacterial toxins and
promote healing.
What does "exudate" refer to in periodontal care?
✔✔Exudate refers to a fluid that may be present in the periodontal pockets, often indicating
infection or inflammation, such as pus or blood.
3
