Virginia Dental Hygienist Licensure
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant Download
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1. Which structure is primarily responsible for attaching the tooth root to
the alveolar bone?
A. Enamel
B. Dentin
C. Cementum
D. Pulp
Answer: C. Cementum
Rationale: Cementum covers the root surface and serves as the attachment
site for periodontal ligament fibers that connect the tooth to alveolar bone.
2. Which microorganism is most strongly associated with dental caries
initiation?
A. Streptococcus mutans
B. Porphyromonas gingivalis
C. Treponema denticola
D. Fusobacterium nucleatum
,Answer: A. Streptococcus mutans
Rationale: Streptococcus mutans metabolizes dietary carbohydrates,
producing acids that demineralize enamel and initiate the caries process.
3. The most radiopaque structure of the tooth is:
A. Pulp
B. Dentin
C. Cementum
D. Enamel
Answer: D. Enamel
Rationale: Enamel contains the highest mineral content of any tissue in the
body, making it appear most radiopaque on radiographs.
4. Which periodontal probe measurement indicates a healthy gingival
sulcus in most patients?
A. 1–3 mm
B. 4–5 mm
C. 6–7 mm
D. 8–10 mm
Answer: A. 1–3 mm
Rationale: Healthy gingival sulcus depths generally range from 1 to 3 mm
without bleeding or attachment loss.
5. Which vitamin deficiency is most closely associated with scurvy and
gingival bleeding?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin C
C. Vitamin D
D. Vitamin K
,Answer: B. Vitamin C
Rationale: Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis, and deficiency
results in impaired wound healing and bleeding gingiva.
6. The principal inorganic component of enamel is:
A. Calcium oxalate
B. Hydroxyapatite
C. Sodium fluoride
D. Potassium phosphate
Answer: B. Hydroxyapatite
Rationale: Enamel is primarily composed of hydroxyapatite crystals, which
provide hardness and resistance to wear.
7. Which index is commonly used to assess oral hygiene by measuring
plaque and debris?
A. DMFT Index
B. OHI-S
C. CPITN
D. GI Index
Answer: B. OHI-S
Rationale: The Simplified Oral Hygiene Index evaluates debris and calculus
accumulation to determine oral hygiene status.
8. Which cranial nerve provides sensory innervation to the teeth and oral
tissues?
A. Facial nerve
B. Vagus nerve
C. Trigeminal nerve
D. Accessory nerve
, Answer: C. Trigeminal nerve
Rationale: The trigeminal nerve is the primary sensory nerve of the face
and oral cavity.
9. A patient taking warfarin is at greatest risk for:
A. Hypertension
B. Excessive bleeding
C. Xerostomia
D. Bradycardia
Answer: B. Excessive bleeding
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that prolongs clotting time and
increases bleeding risk during dental procedures.
10. Which type of bone forms the tooth socket?
A. Cancellous bone
B. Cortical bone
C. Lamina dura
D. Compact bone
Answer: C. Lamina dura
Rationale: The lamina dura is the dense bone lining the tooth socket and
appears radiopaque on radiographs.
11. The primary purpose of fluoride is to:
A. Increase salivary flow
B. Whiten enamel
C. Enhance remineralization and reduce demineralization
D. Eliminate calculus formation
Answer: C. Enhance remineralization and reduce demineralization
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant Download
1. Which structure is primarily responsible for attaching the tooth root to
the alveolar bone?
A. Enamel
B. Dentin
C. Cementum
D. Pulp
Answer: C. Cementum
Rationale: Cementum covers the root surface and serves as the attachment
site for periodontal ligament fibers that connect the tooth to alveolar bone.
2. Which microorganism is most strongly associated with dental caries
initiation?
A. Streptococcus mutans
B. Porphyromonas gingivalis
C. Treponema denticola
D. Fusobacterium nucleatum
,Answer: A. Streptococcus mutans
Rationale: Streptococcus mutans metabolizes dietary carbohydrates,
producing acids that demineralize enamel and initiate the caries process.
3. The most radiopaque structure of the tooth is:
A. Pulp
B. Dentin
C. Cementum
D. Enamel
Answer: D. Enamel
Rationale: Enamel contains the highest mineral content of any tissue in the
body, making it appear most radiopaque on radiographs.
4. Which periodontal probe measurement indicates a healthy gingival
sulcus in most patients?
A. 1–3 mm
B. 4–5 mm
C. 6–7 mm
D. 8–10 mm
Answer: A. 1–3 mm
Rationale: Healthy gingival sulcus depths generally range from 1 to 3 mm
without bleeding or attachment loss.
5. Which vitamin deficiency is most closely associated with scurvy and
gingival bleeding?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin C
C. Vitamin D
D. Vitamin K
,Answer: B. Vitamin C
Rationale: Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis, and deficiency
results in impaired wound healing and bleeding gingiva.
6. The principal inorganic component of enamel is:
A. Calcium oxalate
B. Hydroxyapatite
C. Sodium fluoride
D. Potassium phosphate
Answer: B. Hydroxyapatite
Rationale: Enamel is primarily composed of hydroxyapatite crystals, which
provide hardness and resistance to wear.
7. Which index is commonly used to assess oral hygiene by measuring
plaque and debris?
A. DMFT Index
B. OHI-S
C. CPITN
D. GI Index
Answer: B. OHI-S
Rationale: The Simplified Oral Hygiene Index evaluates debris and calculus
accumulation to determine oral hygiene status.
8. Which cranial nerve provides sensory innervation to the teeth and oral
tissues?
A. Facial nerve
B. Vagus nerve
C. Trigeminal nerve
D. Accessory nerve
, Answer: C. Trigeminal nerve
Rationale: The trigeminal nerve is the primary sensory nerve of the face
and oral cavity.
9. A patient taking warfarin is at greatest risk for:
A. Hypertension
B. Excessive bleeding
C. Xerostomia
D. Bradycardia
Answer: B. Excessive bleeding
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that prolongs clotting time and
increases bleeding risk during dental procedures.
10. Which type of bone forms the tooth socket?
A. Cancellous bone
B. Cortical bone
C. Lamina dura
D. Compact bone
Answer: C. Lamina dura
Rationale: The lamina dura is the dense bone lining the tooth socket and
appears radiopaque on radiographs.
11. The primary purpose of fluoride is to:
A. Increase salivary flow
B. Whiten enamel
C. Enhance remineralization and reduce demineralization
D. Eliminate calculus formation
Answer: C. Enhance remineralization and reduce demineralization
