NATIONAL BOARD DENTAL HYGIENE
EXAMINATION PREP 3 | DENTAL HYGIENIST |
LATEST 2025-2026 QUESTION AND CORRECT
ANSWER WITH EXPLANATION WEST COAST
UNIVERSITY
Question 1
A 30-year-old patient presents with rapid attachment loss localized to first
molars and incisors. Radiographs show angular bone defects and minimal
plaque biofilm. Which classification is most appropriate?
A. Stage II periodontitis, Grade A
B. Stage III periodontitis, Grade C
C. Gingivitis, plaque-induced
D. Necrotizing gingivitis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rapid progression with localized molar-incisor pattern and
minimal plaque suggests Grade C periodontitis.
Question 2
Which clinical finding most strongly differentiates periodontal abscess
from periapical abscess?
A. Pain severity
B. Tooth vitality status
C. Presence of swelling
D. Fever
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Periodontal abscess occurs in a vital tooth; periapical abscess
occurs in a non-vital tooth.
Question 3
A patient on long-term NSAID therapy reports increased gingival
bleeding during scaling. What is the most likely mechanism?
,A. Platelet inhibition
B. Increased clotting factor production
C. Vasoconstriction
D. Increased fibrin formation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: NSAIDs inhibit platelet aggregation, increasing bleeding risk.
Question 4
Which radiographic pattern is most consistent with aggressive
periodontitis?
A. Generalized horizontal bone loss
B. Severe vertical bone loss in molars and incisors
C. Uniform radiopacity
D. Periapical cyst formation only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aggressive periodontitis shows rapid vertical destruction in
molar-incisor distribution.
Question 5
A patient presents with necrotic interdental papillae, halitosis, and
spontaneous bleeding. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Chronic periodontitis
B. Necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis
C. Gingival hyperplasia
D. Periapical granuloma
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: NUG is characterized by necrosis, bleeding, and foul odor.
Question 6
Which systemic disease is most strongly associated with severe
periodontal breakdown?
, A. Asthma
B. Diabetes mellitus (poorly controlled)
C. Seasonal allergies
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Poor glycemic control increases susceptibility to periodontal
destruction.
Question 7
Which microorganism is most associated with aggressive periodontal
disease?
A. Streptococcus mutans
B. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
C. Lactobacillus acidophilus
D. Candida albicans
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A. actinomycetemcomitans is strongly linked to aggressive
forms.
Question 8
A radiograph shows “floating teeth.” What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Osteosarcoma
B. Langerhans cell histiocytosis
C. Fibrous dysplasia
D. Chronic periodontitis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: LCH causes severe alveolar bone destruction.
Question 9
Which medication is most associated with gingival enlargement?
EXAMINATION PREP 3 | DENTAL HYGIENIST |
LATEST 2025-2026 QUESTION AND CORRECT
ANSWER WITH EXPLANATION WEST COAST
UNIVERSITY
Question 1
A 30-year-old patient presents with rapid attachment loss localized to first
molars and incisors. Radiographs show angular bone defects and minimal
plaque biofilm. Which classification is most appropriate?
A. Stage II periodontitis, Grade A
B. Stage III periodontitis, Grade C
C. Gingivitis, plaque-induced
D. Necrotizing gingivitis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rapid progression with localized molar-incisor pattern and
minimal plaque suggests Grade C periodontitis.
Question 2
Which clinical finding most strongly differentiates periodontal abscess
from periapical abscess?
A. Pain severity
B. Tooth vitality status
C. Presence of swelling
D. Fever
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Periodontal abscess occurs in a vital tooth; periapical abscess
occurs in a non-vital tooth.
Question 3
A patient on long-term NSAID therapy reports increased gingival
bleeding during scaling. What is the most likely mechanism?
,A. Platelet inhibition
B. Increased clotting factor production
C. Vasoconstriction
D. Increased fibrin formation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: NSAIDs inhibit platelet aggregation, increasing bleeding risk.
Question 4
Which radiographic pattern is most consistent with aggressive
periodontitis?
A. Generalized horizontal bone loss
B. Severe vertical bone loss in molars and incisors
C. Uniform radiopacity
D. Periapical cyst formation only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aggressive periodontitis shows rapid vertical destruction in
molar-incisor distribution.
Question 5
A patient presents with necrotic interdental papillae, halitosis, and
spontaneous bleeding. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Chronic periodontitis
B. Necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis
C. Gingival hyperplasia
D. Periapical granuloma
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: NUG is characterized by necrosis, bleeding, and foul odor.
Question 6
Which systemic disease is most strongly associated with severe
periodontal breakdown?
, A. Asthma
B. Diabetes mellitus (poorly controlled)
C. Seasonal allergies
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Poor glycemic control increases susceptibility to periodontal
destruction.
Question 7
Which microorganism is most associated with aggressive periodontal
disease?
A. Streptococcus mutans
B. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
C. Lactobacillus acidophilus
D. Candida albicans
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A. actinomycetemcomitans is strongly linked to aggressive
forms.
Question 8
A radiograph shows “floating teeth.” What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Osteosarcoma
B. Langerhans cell histiocytosis
C. Fibrous dysplasia
D. Chronic periodontitis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: LCH causes severe alveolar bone destruction.
Question 9
Which medication is most associated with gingival enlargement?
