Dental Hygiene Prometric OSCE Test Exam
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
1. The most effective method to prevent cross-contamination in dental hygiene
practice is:
A. Wearing gloves only
B. Hand hygiene, gloves, masks, and proper instrument sterilization ✅
C. Wiping surfaces with water
D. Using hand sanitizer only
Rationale: Comprehensive infection control including hand hygiene, PPE, and
sterilization prevents cross-contamination.
2. Which disinfectant is recommended for clinical surfaces contaminated with
blood?
A. Water
B. 1:10 dilution of household bleach ✅
C. Alcohol wipes only
D. Soap and water
Rationale: A 1:10 bleach solution effectively inactivates bloodborne pathogens.
3. The appropriate time to perform hand hygiene in clinical practice is:
A. Only before patient contact
B. Before and after patient contact, and after glove removal ✅
C. Only after patient contact
D. Only before procedures
Rationale: Hand hygiene before and after contact reduces the risk of pathogen
transmission.
,4. Sharps must be disposed of in:
A. Regular trash
B. Puncture-resistant sharps container ✅
C. Recycling bin
D. Paper bags
Rationale: Sharps containers prevent needlestick injuries and biohazard exposure.
5. Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes all except:
A. Gloves
B. Masks
C. Lab coats
D. Stethoscope ✅
Rationale: Stethoscopes are not considered PPE; PPE protects against exposure to
blood and saliva.
6. Which sterilization method is most appropriate for heat-stable dental
instruments?
A. Cold chemical soak
B. Autoclaving ✅
C. Alcohol wipe
D. Ultraviolet light
Rationale: Autoclaving uses steam under pressure to achieve complete sterilization of
heat-stable instruments.
7. Pre-procedural mouth rinses are used to:
A. Replace hand hygiene
B. Reduce microbial load in saliva ✅
C. Clean instruments
D. Increase patient comfort only
Rationale: Rinsing with antimicrobial solution reduces bacterial contamination during
procedures.
, 8. Single-use items must be:
A. Disinfected and reused
B. Disposed of after use ✅
C. Boiled for reuse
D. Only washed
Rationale: Single-use items are not designed for sterilization and must be discarded to
prevent infection.
9. The best way to protect dental professionals from aerosol-transmitted pathogens
is:
A. Gloves only
B. Masks, face shields, and proper suction ✅
C. Aprons only
D. Regular hand washing
Rationale: Multiple barriers and aerosol management reduce the risk of inhalation of
pathogens.
10. OSHA bloodborne pathogen standards require:
A. Voluntary compliance
B. Use of an exposure control plan ✅
C. Only gloves for safety
D. No documentation
Rationale: OSHA mandates an exposure control plan to protect healthcare workers from
bloodborne pathogens.
Questions 11–20: Patient Assessment & History
11. The first step in dental hygiene assessment is:
A. Scaling teeth
B. Obtaining a thorough medical and dental history ✅
C. Taking radiographs
D. Polishing teeth
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
1. The most effective method to prevent cross-contamination in dental hygiene
practice is:
A. Wearing gloves only
B. Hand hygiene, gloves, masks, and proper instrument sterilization ✅
C. Wiping surfaces with water
D. Using hand sanitizer only
Rationale: Comprehensive infection control including hand hygiene, PPE, and
sterilization prevents cross-contamination.
2. Which disinfectant is recommended for clinical surfaces contaminated with
blood?
A. Water
B. 1:10 dilution of household bleach ✅
C. Alcohol wipes only
D. Soap and water
Rationale: A 1:10 bleach solution effectively inactivates bloodborne pathogens.
3. The appropriate time to perform hand hygiene in clinical practice is:
A. Only before patient contact
B. Before and after patient contact, and after glove removal ✅
C. Only after patient contact
D. Only before procedures
Rationale: Hand hygiene before and after contact reduces the risk of pathogen
transmission.
,4. Sharps must be disposed of in:
A. Regular trash
B. Puncture-resistant sharps container ✅
C. Recycling bin
D. Paper bags
Rationale: Sharps containers prevent needlestick injuries and biohazard exposure.
5. Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes all except:
A. Gloves
B. Masks
C. Lab coats
D. Stethoscope ✅
Rationale: Stethoscopes are not considered PPE; PPE protects against exposure to
blood and saliva.
6. Which sterilization method is most appropriate for heat-stable dental
instruments?
A. Cold chemical soak
B. Autoclaving ✅
C. Alcohol wipe
D. Ultraviolet light
Rationale: Autoclaving uses steam under pressure to achieve complete sterilization of
heat-stable instruments.
7. Pre-procedural mouth rinses are used to:
A. Replace hand hygiene
B. Reduce microbial load in saliva ✅
C. Clean instruments
D. Increase patient comfort only
Rationale: Rinsing with antimicrobial solution reduces bacterial contamination during
procedures.
, 8. Single-use items must be:
A. Disinfected and reused
B. Disposed of after use ✅
C. Boiled for reuse
D. Only washed
Rationale: Single-use items are not designed for sterilization and must be discarded to
prevent infection.
9. The best way to protect dental professionals from aerosol-transmitted pathogens
is:
A. Gloves only
B. Masks, face shields, and proper suction ✅
C. Aprons only
D. Regular hand washing
Rationale: Multiple barriers and aerosol management reduce the risk of inhalation of
pathogens.
10. OSHA bloodborne pathogen standards require:
A. Voluntary compliance
B. Use of an exposure control plan ✅
C. Only gloves for safety
D. No documentation
Rationale: OSHA mandates an exposure control plan to protect healthcare workers from
bloodborne pathogens.
Questions 11–20: Patient Assessment & History
11. The first step in dental hygiene assessment is:
A. Scaling teeth
B. Obtaining a thorough medical and dental history ✅
C. Taking radiographs
D. Polishing teeth
