NATIONAL BOARD DENTAL HYGIENE
EXAMINATION PREP 6 | DENTAL HYGIENIST |
LATEST 2025-2026 QUESTION AND CORRECT
ANSWER WITH EXPLANATION WEST COAST
UNIVERSITY
Question 1
A 47-year-old patient presents with generalized 6–10 mm probing depths,
furcation involvement in molars, drifting anterior teeth, and masticatory
dysfunction. What is the most appropriate stage?
A. Stage II periodontitis
B. Stage III periodontitis
C. Stage IV periodontitis
D. Gingivitis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Functional impairment (drifting, masticatory dysfunction)
with severe attachment loss defines Stage IV.
Question 2
A patient presents with necrotic interdental papillae, spontaneous
bleeding, severe halitosis, and systemic malaise. What is the most
appropriate diagnosis?
A. Chronic gingivitis
B. Necrotizing periodontal disease
C. Periapical abscess
D. Acute apical periodontitis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Necrosis + odor + bleeding + systemic symptoms strongly
indicate NPD.
Question 3
,Which systemic condition most significantly alters neutrophil function
and worsens periodontal outcomes?
A. Asthma
B. Diabetes mellitus (poorly controlled)
C. Iron deficiency anemia
D. Seasonal allergies
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperglycemia impairs neutrophil chemotaxis and
phagocytosis.
Question 4
A radiograph shows “floating teeth” appearance in a 22-year-old patient.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Fibrous dysplasia
B. Langerhans cell histiocytosis
C. Chronic periodontitis
D. Osteosarcoma
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: LCH causes rapid alveolar bone destruction leading to
floating teeth.
Question 5
Which anesthetic is most associated with methemoglobinemia?
A. Lidocaine
B. Prilocaine
C. Bupivacaine
D. Articaine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Prilocaine metabolites oxidize hemoglobin.
Question 6
, A patient taking amlodipine presents with generalized gingival
enlargement. What is the most appropriate initial intervention?
A. Immediate surgical excision
B. Discontinuation of drug without physician input
C. Improved plaque control and maintenance therapy
D. Antibiotic therapy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Plaque control is first-line; medication changes require
physician coordination.
Question 7
Which microorganism is most associated with aggressive periodontitis?
A. Streptococcus mutans
B. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
C. Lactobacillus acidophilus
D. Candida albicans
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A. actinomycetemcomitans is a key pathogen in aggressive
disease.
Question 8
Which radiographic pattern is most consistent with chronic osteomyelitis?
A. Pure radiolucency
B. Mixed radiolucent-radiopaque pattern
C. No bone change
D. Uniform radiopacity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chronic infection causes alternating bone destruction and
sclerosis.
Question 9
EXAMINATION PREP 6 | DENTAL HYGIENIST |
LATEST 2025-2026 QUESTION AND CORRECT
ANSWER WITH EXPLANATION WEST COAST
UNIVERSITY
Question 1
A 47-year-old patient presents with generalized 6–10 mm probing depths,
furcation involvement in molars, drifting anterior teeth, and masticatory
dysfunction. What is the most appropriate stage?
A. Stage II periodontitis
B. Stage III periodontitis
C. Stage IV periodontitis
D. Gingivitis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Functional impairment (drifting, masticatory dysfunction)
with severe attachment loss defines Stage IV.
Question 2
A patient presents with necrotic interdental papillae, spontaneous
bleeding, severe halitosis, and systemic malaise. What is the most
appropriate diagnosis?
A. Chronic gingivitis
B. Necrotizing periodontal disease
C. Periapical abscess
D. Acute apical periodontitis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Necrosis + odor + bleeding + systemic symptoms strongly
indicate NPD.
Question 3
,Which systemic condition most significantly alters neutrophil function
and worsens periodontal outcomes?
A. Asthma
B. Diabetes mellitus (poorly controlled)
C. Iron deficiency anemia
D. Seasonal allergies
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperglycemia impairs neutrophil chemotaxis and
phagocytosis.
Question 4
A radiograph shows “floating teeth” appearance in a 22-year-old patient.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Fibrous dysplasia
B. Langerhans cell histiocytosis
C. Chronic periodontitis
D. Osteosarcoma
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: LCH causes rapid alveolar bone destruction leading to
floating teeth.
Question 5
Which anesthetic is most associated with methemoglobinemia?
A. Lidocaine
B. Prilocaine
C. Bupivacaine
D. Articaine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Prilocaine metabolites oxidize hemoglobin.
Question 6
, A patient taking amlodipine presents with generalized gingival
enlargement. What is the most appropriate initial intervention?
A. Immediate surgical excision
B. Discontinuation of drug without physician input
C. Improved plaque control and maintenance therapy
D. Antibiotic therapy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Plaque control is first-line; medication changes require
physician coordination.
Question 7
Which microorganism is most associated with aggressive periodontitis?
A. Streptococcus mutans
B. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
C. Lactobacillus acidophilus
D. Candida albicans
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A. actinomycetemcomitans is a key pathogen in aggressive
disease.
Question 8
Which radiographic pattern is most consistent with chronic osteomyelitis?
A. Pure radiolucency
B. Mixed radiolucent-radiopaque pattern
C. No bone change
D. Uniform radiopacity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chronic infection causes alternating bone destruction and
sclerosis.
Question 9
