ARIZONA DENTAL HYGIENIST LICENSING
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
AND RATIONALES LATEST 2025-2026 UPDATE
1. What is the primary purpose of dental plaque control?
A. Improve tooth color
B. Prevent oral diseases
C. Increase saliva production
D. Strengthen restorations
Correct Answer: B. Prevent oral diseases
Rationale: Effective plaque control reduces the risk of dental caries,
gingivitis, and periodontal disease.
2. Which microorganism is most strongly associated with dental
caries?
A. Lactobacillus
B. Candida albicans
C. Streptococcus mutans
D. Actinomyces israelii
Correct Answer: C. Streptococcus mutans
Rationale: S. mutans metabolizes sugars and produces acids that
demineralize enamel.
3. The universal tooth numbering system identifies the maxillary
right third molar as:
,A. 1
B. 16
C. 17
D. 32
Correct Answer: A. 1
Rationale: Tooth #1 is the maxillary right third molar in the Universal
Numbering System.
4. Which instrument is primarily used for removing supragingival
calculus?
A. Sickle scaler
B. Curette
C. Explorer
D. Probe
Correct Answer: A. Sickle scaler
Rationale: Sickle scalers are designed specifically for supragingival
calculus removal.
5. What is the normal sulcus depth in healthy gingiva?
A. 1–3 mm
B. 4–6 mm
C. 7–9 mm
D. 10–12 mm
Correct Answer: A. 1–3 mm
Rationale: Healthy gingival sulcus depths are generally 1–3 mm.
, 6. Which radiograph is best for detecting interproximal caries?
A. Occlusal
B. Bitewing
C. Panoramic
D. Cephalometric
Correct Answer: B. Bitewing
Rationale: Bitewings provide the best view of interproximal surfaces.
7. Fluoride primarily prevents caries by:
A. Whitening enamel
B. Increasing salivary flow
C. Enhancing remineralization
D. Eliminating plaque
Correct Answer: C. Enhancing remineralization
Rationale: Fluoride promotes remineralization and increases enamel
resistance to acid.
8. Which tooth typically erupts first in the permanent dentition?
A. Mandibular first molar
B. Maxillary canine
C. Mandibular second premolar
D. Maxillary second molar
Correct Answer: A. Mandibular first molar
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
AND RATIONALES LATEST 2025-2026 UPDATE
1. What is the primary purpose of dental plaque control?
A. Improve tooth color
B. Prevent oral diseases
C. Increase saliva production
D. Strengthen restorations
Correct Answer: B. Prevent oral diseases
Rationale: Effective plaque control reduces the risk of dental caries,
gingivitis, and periodontal disease.
2. Which microorganism is most strongly associated with dental
caries?
A. Lactobacillus
B. Candida albicans
C. Streptococcus mutans
D. Actinomyces israelii
Correct Answer: C. Streptococcus mutans
Rationale: S. mutans metabolizes sugars and produces acids that
demineralize enamel.
3. The universal tooth numbering system identifies the maxillary
right third molar as:
,A. 1
B. 16
C. 17
D. 32
Correct Answer: A. 1
Rationale: Tooth #1 is the maxillary right third molar in the Universal
Numbering System.
4. Which instrument is primarily used for removing supragingival
calculus?
A. Sickle scaler
B. Curette
C. Explorer
D. Probe
Correct Answer: A. Sickle scaler
Rationale: Sickle scalers are designed specifically for supragingival
calculus removal.
5. What is the normal sulcus depth in healthy gingiva?
A. 1–3 mm
B. 4–6 mm
C. 7–9 mm
D. 10–12 mm
Correct Answer: A. 1–3 mm
Rationale: Healthy gingival sulcus depths are generally 1–3 mm.
, 6. Which radiograph is best for detecting interproximal caries?
A. Occlusal
B. Bitewing
C. Panoramic
D. Cephalometric
Correct Answer: B. Bitewing
Rationale: Bitewings provide the best view of interproximal surfaces.
7. Fluoride primarily prevents caries by:
A. Whitening enamel
B. Increasing salivary flow
C. Enhancing remineralization
D. Eliminating plaque
Correct Answer: C. Enhancing remineralization
Rationale: Fluoride promotes remineralization and increases enamel
resistance to acid.
8. Which tooth typically erupts first in the permanent dentition?
A. Mandibular first molar
B. Maxillary canine
C. Mandibular second premolar
D. Maxillary second molar
Correct Answer: A. Mandibular first molar
