PERIODONTOLOGY EXAM 4 | DENTAL
HYGIENIST | LATEST 2025-2026 QUESTION AND
CORRECT ANSWER WITH EXPLANATION
WEST COAST UNIVERSITY
1. A patient presents with CAL of 4 mm, bone loss to the coronal third,
and 2 teeth lost due to periodontitis. What is the MOST appropriate stage?
A. Stage II
B. Stage III
C. Stage IV
D. Stage I
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tooth loss ≤4 teeth due to periodontitis = Stage III.
2. A patient with Stage III periodontitis smokes 20 cigarettes/day. What is
the MOST appropriate grade?
A. Grade A
B. Grade B
C. Grade C
D. Cannot determine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Heavy smoking automatically elevates to Grade C.
3. A patient presents with deep pockets but minimal plaque and severe
bone loss. What is the MOST likely explanation?
A. Poor hygiene
B. Host immune dysfunction
C. Fluoride deficiency
D. Saliva excess
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Disproportionate destruction suggests host susceptibility.
,4. A patient presents with gingival inflammation and enlargement but no
CAL and is on cyclosporine. What is the MOST appropriate diagnosis?
A. Periodontitis
B. Drug-induced gingival enlargement
C. Aggressive periodontitis
D. Abscess
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cyclosporine is associated with gingival overgrowth.
5. A patient has bone loss extending to the apical third and difficulty
chewing. What is the MOST appropriate stage?
A. Stage II
B. Stage III
C. Stage IV
D. Stage I
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Functional impairment and severe bone loss indicate Stage IV.
6. A patient with poorly controlled diabetes presents with moderate
periodontitis. What is the MOST appropriate grade?
A. Grade A
B. Grade B
C. Grade C
D. Cannot determine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Poor glycemic control elevates grade.
7. A patient presents with 6 mm pockets and vertical bone defects but no
tooth loss. What is the MOST appropriate stage?
A. Stage II
B. Stage III
, C. Stage IV
D. Stage I
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Complexity factors without tooth loss = Stage III.
8. Which condition is MOST likely to present with rapid tissue necrosis
and pain?
A. Gingivitis
B. Necrotizing periodontal disease
C. Chronic periodontitis
D. Recession
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Necrotizing diseases present with pain and necrosis.
9. A patient presents with generalized recession and no inflammation.
What is the MOST likely cause?
A. Periodontitis
B. Mechanical trauma
C. Abscess
D. Infection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Trauma causes recession without inflammation.
10. A patient presents with persistent inflammation despite SRP and good
hygiene. What is the NEXT step?
A. No treatment
B. Evaluate systemic and local contributing factors
C. Extraction
D. Whitening
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Identify underlying modifiers.
HYGIENIST | LATEST 2025-2026 QUESTION AND
CORRECT ANSWER WITH EXPLANATION
WEST COAST UNIVERSITY
1. A patient presents with CAL of 4 mm, bone loss to the coronal third,
and 2 teeth lost due to periodontitis. What is the MOST appropriate stage?
A. Stage II
B. Stage III
C. Stage IV
D. Stage I
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tooth loss ≤4 teeth due to periodontitis = Stage III.
2. A patient with Stage III periodontitis smokes 20 cigarettes/day. What is
the MOST appropriate grade?
A. Grade A
B. Grade B
C. Grade C
D. Cannot determine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Heavy smoking automatically elevates to Grade C.
3. A patient presents with deep pockets but minimal plaque and severe
bone loss. What is the MOST likely explanation?
A. Poor hygiene
B. Host immune dysfunction
C. Fluoride deficiency
D. Saliva excess
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Disproportionate destruction suggests host susceptibility.
,4. A patient presents with gingival inflammation and enlargement but no
CAL and is on cyclosporine. What is the MOST appropriate diagnosis?
A. Periodontitis
B. Drug-induced gingival enlargement
C. Aggressive periodontitis
D. Abscess
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cyclosporine is associated with gingival overgrowth.
5. A patient has bone loss extending to the apical third and difficulty
chewing. What is the MOST appropriate stage?
A. Stage II
B. Stage III
C. Stage IV
D. Stage I
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Functional impairment and severe bone loss indicate Stage IV.
6. A patient with poorly controlled diabetes presents with moderate
periodontitis. What is the MOST appropriate grade?
A. Grade A
B. Grade B
C. Grade C
D. Cannot determine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Poor glycemic control elevates grade.
7. A patient presents with 6 mm pockets and vertical bone defects but no
tooth loss. What is the MOST appropriate stage?
A. Stage II
B. Stage III
, C. Stage IV
D. Stage I
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Complexity factors without tooth loss = Stage III.
8. Which condition is MOST likely to present with rapid tissue necrosis
and pain?
A. Gingivitis
B. Necrotizing periodontal disease
C. Chronic periodontitis
D. Recession
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Necrotizing diseases present with pain and necrosis.
9. A patient presents with generalized recession and no inflammation.
What is the MOST likely cause?
A. Periodontitis
B. Mechanical trauma
C. Abscess
D. Infection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Trauma causes recession without inflammation.
10. A patient presents with persistent inflammation despite SRP and good
hygiene. What is the NEXT step?
A. No treatment
B. Evaluate systemic and local contributing factors
C. Extraction
D. Whitening
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Identify underlying modifiers.
