Dental Hygienist Certification Exam
Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which tissue covers the crown of a tooth?
A. Cementum
B. Dentin
C. Enamel
D. Pulp
Answer: C. Enamel
Rationale: Enamel is the hard, highly mineralized outer layer that covers the
crown of the tooth and provides protection against wear and decay.
2. Which tissue covers the root of a tooth?
A. Enamel
B. Cementum
C. Dentin
D. Pulp
Answer: B. Cementum
Rationale: Cementum covers the root surface and provides attachment for the
periodontal ligament fibers.
3. The soft tissue located in the center of a tooth is called the:
,A. Dentin
B. Enamel
C. Pulp
D. Cementum
Answer: C. Pulp
Rationale: The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue that
nourish and innervate the tooth.
4. Which type of tooth is primarily designed for cutting food?
A. Molar
B. Premolar
C. Incisor
D. Canine
Answer: C. Incisor
Rationale: Incisors have sharp edges designed for cutting and biting food.
5. Which permanent teeth are primarily designed for tearing food?
A. Incisors
B. Canines
C. Premolars
D. Molars
Answer: B. Canines
Rationale: Canines have pointed cusps that are adapted for tearing food.
6. Which teeth are best adapted for grinding food?
A. Incisors
B. Canines
,C. Molars
D. Primary incisors
Answer: C. Molars
Rationale: Molars have broad occlusal surfaces with multiple cusps for grinding
food.
7. How many permanent teeth are normally present in an adult?
A. 20
B. 24
C. 28
D. 32
Answer: D. 32
Rationale: Adults normally have 32 permanent teeth, including four third molars.
8. A child normally has how many primary teeth?
A. 16
B. 18
C. 20
D. 24
Answer: C. 20
Rationale: The complete primary dentition consists of 20 teeth.
9. Which mineral is the main component of enamel?
A. Calcium carbonate
B. Hydroxyapatite
C. Magnesium sulfate
D. Sodium chloride
Answer: B. Hydroxyapatite
, Rationale: Enamel is composed primarily of hydroxyapatite crystals.
10. Dental plaque is best described as:
A. Hardened calculus
B. A bacterial biofilm
C. Food debris only
D. Saliva deposits
Answer: B. A bacterial biofilm
Rationale: Dental plaque is a sticky biofilm containing bacteria that forms on
tooth surfaces.
11. Dental calculus forms when:
A. Saliva dissolves enamel
B. Plaque becomes mineralized
C. Teeth fracture
D. Cementum wears away
Answer: B. Plaque becomes mineralized
Rationale: Calculus develops when plaque absorbs minerals from saliva and
hardens.
12. Gingivitis primarily affects the:
A. Tooth pulp
B. Gingiva
C. Cementum
D. Dentin
Answer: B. Gingiva
Rationale: Gingivitis is inflammation limited to the gingival tissues.
Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which tissue covers the crown of a tooth?
A. Cementum
B. Dentin
C. Enamel
D. Pulp
Answer: C. Enamel
Rationale: Enamel is the hard, highly mineralized outer layer that covers the
crown of the tooth and provides protection against wear and decay.
2. Which tissue covers the root of a tooth?
A. Enamel
B. Cementum
C. Dentin
D. Pulp
Answer: B. Cementum
Rationale: Cementum covers the root surface and provides attachment for the
periodontal ligament fibers.
3. The soft tissue located in the center of a tooth is called the:
,A. Dentin
B. Enamel
C. Pulp
D. Cementum
Answer: C. Pulp
Rationale: The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue that
nourish and innervate the tooth.
4. Which type of tooth is primarily designed for cutting food?
A. Molar
B. Premolar
C. Incisor
D. Canine
Answer: C. Incisor
Rationale: Incisors have sharp edges designed for cutting and biting food.
5. Which permanent teeth are primarily designed for tearing food?
A. Incisors
B. Canines
C. Premolars
D. Molars
Answer: B. Canines
Rationale: Canines have pointed cusps that are adapted for tearing food.
6. Which teeth are best adapted for grinding food?
A. Incisors
B. Canines
,C. Molars
D. Primary incisors
Answer: C. Molars
Rationale: Molars have broad occlusal surfaces with multiple cusps for grinding
food.
7. How many permanent teeth are normally present in an adult?
A. 20
B. 24
C. 28
D. 32
Answer: D. 32
Rationale: Adults normally have 32 permanent teeth, including four third molars.
8. A child normally has how many primary teeth?
A. 16
B. 18
C. 20
D. 24
Answer: C. 20
Rationale: The complete primary dentition consists of 20 teeth.
9. Which mineral is the main component of enamel?
A. Calcium carbonate
B. Hydroxyapatite
C. Magnesium sulfate
D. Sodium chloride
Answer: B. Hydroxyapatite
, Rationale: Enamel is composed primarily of hydroxyapatite crystals.
10. Dental plaque is best described as:
A. Hardened calculus
B. A bacterial biofilm
C. Food debris only
D. Saliva deposits
Answer: B. A bacterial biofilm
Rationale: Dental plaque is a sticky biofilm containing bacteria that forms on
tooth surfaces.
11. Dental calculus forms when:
A. Saliva dissolves enamel
B. Plaque becomes mineralized
C. Teeth fracture
D. Cementum wears away
Answer: B. Plaque becomes mineralized
Rationale: Calculus develops when plaque absorbs minerals from saliva and
hardens.
12. Gingivitis primarily affects the:
A. Tooth pulp
B. Gingiva
C. Cementum
D. Dentin
Answer: B. Gingiva
Rationale: Gingivitis is inflammation limited to the gingival tissues.
