NBDHE EXAM NATIONAL BOARD DENTAL HYGIENE
EXAM 2026 || MOST RECENT EXAM 2026|2027
ACTUAL COMPLETE REAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
ALREADY GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS!!
NEWEST EXAM | JUST RELEASED!!
A patient reports spontaneous, severe pain from a mandibular first
molar that worsens when lying down. Which pulpal condition is most
consistent with these findings?
A. Reversible pulpitis
B. Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis
C. Pulpal necrosis
D. Asymptomatic apical periodontitis
Answer: B. Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis
Rationale: Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis commonly produces
spontaneous, lingering, or severe pulpal pain that may worsen when
the patient lies down. Reversible pulpitis generally produces a short,
provoked response that resolves after removal of the stimulus. Pulpal
necrosis indicates loss of vitality and may not produce the same
thermal response.
Which component of the periodontium provides the principal
attachment between the tooth root and the alveolar bone?
,A. Gingival epithelium
B. Periodontal ligament
C. Junctional epithelium
D. Alveolar mucosa
Answer: B. Periodontal ligament
Rationale: The periodontal ligament consists of connective tissue
fibers that attach cementum to alveolar bone. It also provides
sensory, nutritional, and remodeling functions. The periodontal
ligament is therefore essential for tooth support and distribution of
occlusal forces.
A patient has generalized bleeding on probing, erythematous
gingiva, and periodontal pockets without clinical attachment loss.
Which condition is most likely?
A. Gingivitis
B. Stage III periodontitis
C. Necrotizing periodontitis
D. Periodontal abscess
Answer: A. Gingivitis
Rationale: Gingivitis involves inflammation of the gingiva without
loss of periodontal attachment. Bleeding on probing, erythema,
edema, and changes in gingival contour are common findings.
Periodontitis requires evidence of periodontal attachment and/or
alveolar bone loss.
,Which permanent tooth is normally the first to erupt?
A. Maxillary central incisor
B. Mandibular first molar
C. Maxillary first premolar
D. Mandibular canine
Answer: B. Mandibular first molar
Rationale: The mandibular first permanent molar typically erupts
around 6 years of age and is therefore commonly called the “six-year
molar.” It is not a replacement tooth because it erupts posterior to
the primary dentition.
A patient taking warfarin is scheduled for periodontal debridement.
Which laboratory value is most relevant when assessing
anticoagulation?
A. Serum sodium
B. Hemoglobin A1c
C. International normalized ratio
D. Serum creatinine
Answer: C. International normalized ratio
Rationale: The international normalized ratio (INR) is used to
monitor the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. The dental hygienist
should obtain appropriate medical history and follow the dentist's
, and physician's recommendations when invasive procedures are
planned.
Which cranial nerve provides the primary sensory innervation to the
face and motor innervation to the muscles of mastication?
A. Facial nerve
B. Trigeminal nerve
C. Glossopharyngeal nerve
D. Hypoglossal nerve
Answer: B. Trigeminal nerve
Rationale: Cranial nerve V, the trigeminal nerve, provides major
sensory innervation to the face and oral structures. Its mandibular
division also supplies motor innervation to the muscles of
mastication.
Which branch of the trigeminal nerve provides sensory innervation
to the mandibular teeth?
A. Maxillary division
B. Ophthalmic division
C. Mandibular division
D. Facial nerve
Answer: C. Mandibular division
EXAM 2026 || MOST RECENT EXAM 2026|2027
ACTUAL COMPLETE REAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
ALREADY GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS!!
NEWEST EXAM | JUST RELEASED!!
A patient reports spontaneous, severe pain from a mandibular first
molar that worsens when lying down. Which pulpal condition is most
consistent with these findings?
A. Reversible pulpitis
B. Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis
C. Pulpal necrosis
D. Asymptomatic apical periodontitis
Answer: B. Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis
Rationale: Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis commonly produces
spontaneous, lingering, or severe pulpal pain that may worsen when
the patient lies down. Reversible pulpitis generally produces a short,
provoked response that resolves after removal of the stimulus. Pulpal
necrosis indicates loss of vitality and may not produce the same
thermal response.
Which component of the periodontium provides the principal
attachment between the tooth root and the alveolar bone?
,A. Gingival epithelium
B. Periodontal ligament
C. Junctional epithelium
D. Alveolar mucosa
Answer: B. Periodontal ligament
Rationale: The periodontal ligament consists of connective tissue
fibers that attach cementum to alveolar bone. It also provides
sensory, nutritional, and remodeling functions. The periodontal
ligament is therefore essential for tooth support and distribution of
occlusal forces.
A patient has generalized bleeding on probing, erythematous
gingiva, and periodontal pockets without clinical attachment loss.
Which condition is most likely?
A. Gingivitis
B. Stage III periodontitis
C. Necrotizing periodontitis
D. Periodontal abscess
Answer: A. Gingivitis
Rationale: Gingivitis involves inflammation of the gingiva without
loss of periodontal attachment. Bleeding on probing, erythema,
edema, and changes in gingival contour are common findings.
Periodontitis requires evidence of periodontal attachment and/or
alveolar bone loss.
,Which permanent tooth is normally the first to erupt?
A. Maxillary central incisor
B. Mandibular first molar
C. Maxillary first premolar
D. Mandibular canine
Answer: B. Mandibular first molar
Rationale: The mandibular first permanent molar typically erupts
around 6 years of age and is therefore commonly called the “six-year
molar.” It is not a replacement tooth because it erupts posterior to
the primary dentition.
A patient taking warfarin is scheduled for periodontal debridement.
Which laboratory value is most relevant when assessing
anticoagulation?
A. Serum sodium
B. Hemoglobin A1c
C. International normalized ratio
D. Serum creatinine
Answer: C. International normalized ratio
Rationale: The international normalized ratio (INR) is used to
monitor the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. The dental hygienist
should obtain appropriate medical history and follow the dentist's
, and physician's recommendations when invasive procedures are
planned.
Which cranial nerve provides the primary sensory innervation to the
face and motor innervation to the muscles of mastication?
A. Facial nerve
B. Trigeminal nerve
C. Glossopharyngeal nerve
D. Hypoglossal nerve
Answer: B. Trigeminal nerve
Rationale: Cranial nerve V, the trigeminal nerve, provides major
sensory innervation to the face and oral structures. Its mandibular
division also supplies motor innervation to the muscles of
mastication.
Which branch of the trigeminal nerve provides sensory innervation
to the mandibular teeth?
A. Maxillary division
B. Ophthalmic division
C. Mandibular division
D. Facial nerve
Answer: C. Mandibular division
