MN Dental Assistant Licensure Exam -
Own Notes
What is coronal polish? - ANS -polishing of the coronal portion of the tooth
What is the difference between a coronal polish and an oral prophylaxis? - ANS -Coronal
polish: only the coronal portion of the tooth and the DA can do
Oral Prophy: is the whole cleaning and debridement of calc. This is done by the DDS and
DH
What is the purpose of selective polishing? - ANS -Procedure in which only those teeth
or surfaces with stains are polished.
The basic principle of selective polishing is that teeth should not be polished unless it is
necessary.
What is extrinsic stain? - ANS -Stain that occurs on the outside of teeth and can be
removed;
Black stain, Tobacco stain, brown or yellow stain, green stain, dental plaque agents, food
and drink, nysmyths membrane (tooth eruption)
what is intrinsic stain? - ANS -stain that occurs on the inside of teeth and cannot be
removed;
Pulpless teeth, tetracycline, dental fluorosis, imperfect tooth development, silver
amalgam, other systemic causes
Which is the most common technique for stain removal? - ANS -Rubber cup Polishing;
Silex, superfine silex, fine pumice, zirconium silicate, chalk, commercial premixed,
fluoride prophy paste
extra corse, corse, medium, fine, extra fine
Which type of grasp is used to hold hand piece? - ANS -Pen grasp
,what is the purpose of a fulcrum? - ANS -Provide stability and allows movement of the
wrist and forearm to decrease fatigue.
What precaution should be taken when esthetic type - restorations are polished? - ANS
-esthetic & porcelain restorations should be polished first. Then there remaining teeth
may be polished with the use of appropriate methods for any stain present
in which direction should the polishing stroke move? - ANS -begin with the distal
surface of the most posterior tooth in the quadrant, work forward toward the anterior. The
stroke should be from the gingival third toward the incisal third of the tooth
what damage can rest from use of the prophy cup at high speed? - ANS -higher speeds
produce frictional heat that can damage the tooth and burn the gingiva
how should the pts. head be positioned for access to the max and man arch? - ANS
-max: pts. head with chin up
man: pts. head so the lower jaw is parallel to the floor when mouth is open
Why are topical anesthetics used in dentistry? - ANS -to provide a numbing effect in a
specific area where an injection is to take place
topical medications are supplied as? how long applied for? - ANS -gels
liquids
sprays
patches
Min = 15 - 30 seconds
Max = 1 - 2 minutes
What is local anesthesia? - ANS --Loss of sensation by the prevention of both generation
and conduction of nerve impulse.
-loss of sensation without loss of consciousness
What is added to a local anesthetic to prolong its effect? - ANS -Vasoconstrictor :
combined with anesthetic to slow down the uptake of an anesthetic agent into the
bloodstream and increases the duration of action
epinephrine, levonordefrin, neo-cobefrin
what are the 2 chemical groups within anesthetics? - ANS -Ester: Primarily in topical
(metabolized in plasma)
Amide: Anesthetics (metabolized in liver)
,Contraindications for the use of a Vasoconstrictor on these types of pts.? - ANS
-Cardio/Heart disease: DONT use vasoconstrictor on these types of pts.
angina, myocardial infarction, hypertension
What are the Injection Techniques? - ANS -The location and the innervation of the tooth
or teeth to be anesthetized will be determined where topical anesthetic is placed and type
of injection given
Bone structure allows anesthetic solution to diffuse through the bone and reach the
apices of the teeth in a different manner - ANS -maxillary
anesthesia in palatal area may be necessary for procedures that involve the soft tissue of
the palate - ANS -palatal
Because of dense compact bone, anesthesia doesn't diffuse well. Therefore block
anesthesia is the type of injection used. Injected by the nerve, entire nerve branch is
numb. - ANS -Mandibular
alternative technique involves injection of anesthetic solution under pressure directly
into the periodontal ligament and surrounding tissue - ANS -Periodontal ligament
What is the purpose of fluoride? - ANS -helps prevent cavities
What are two routes or means by which the body receives fluoride? - ANS -Systemic: Is
ingested in water, food, beverages, or supplements
- absorbed through the intestines and brought the bloodstream where it is needed
Topical: Is applied in direct contact with the teeth through the use of fluoridated
toothpaste, fluoride mouthwash, rinses, and topical applications of rinses, gels, foams, &
varnishes
What is the name of the dental condition that results from too much fluoride? - ANS
-Fluorosis: Excessive fluoride during tooth development
What precautions are necessary for children who use fluoridated toothpaste? - ANS
-Adult supervision is necessary during child brushing teeth, and they should be
instructed to not swallow the toothpaste
What helps with fluoride poisoning? - ANS -MILK
What is the function of a periodontal surgical dressing? (perio pack) - ANS -Serves as a
bandage over the surgical site
, -hold flaps in place
-protect newly forming tissue
-minimize post-op pain, infection and hemorrhage
-protect surgical site from trauma during eating and drinking
-support mobile teeth during healing process
what materials are most commonly used in periodontal dressing? - ANS -Zinc-Oxide
Eugenol (ZOE)
Non-Eugenol
What is Zinc Oxide Eugenol dressing? - ANS -slow setting time makes for a longer
working time. Supplied as power and liquid - can be mixed before hand and frozen for
future, sets to firm and heavy consistency for good support and protection. Some pts.
are allergic to eugenol and may experience redness and burning in area of dressing
What is Non Eugenol Dressing? - ANS -Most widely used, cannot mix ahead of time, can
alter setting time with cool or warm water, supplied in 2 tubes - base and accelerator -
mix for 45 seconds, roll into cylinder and small triangles for inter proximal spaces, press
with index and thumb
What is post op for perio pack? - ANS -Expect swelling and some discomfort, ice on and
off in 20 min increments, limit activities to a minimum exertion for a few days, no hot
bevs. or foods. soft diet, no spicy, do not rinse for 24 hours, if spot bleeding does not
subside - apply pressure with gauze for 20 mins - call office
How to remove Perio Pack? - ANS --Removed 7 to 10 days after placement
-Gently insert the spoon excavator under the margin
-use lateral pressure to pry the dressing gently away from tissue
-if sutures are embedded in the dressing material, cut the suture material free. Remove
sutures gently from tissue
-gently use dental floss to remove all fragments of dressing material from inter proximal
surfaces
-irrigate the entire area gently with warm saline solution to remove superficial debris
-use HVE tip or Saliva ejector to remove fluid from the pts. mouth
-document procedure
How long does mixing take for perio pack? - ANS -2-3 min
lube hands with saline
roll into cylinder and interprox triangles
doughy consistency
type of suture placement? - ANS -simple or interrupted (series of singles
continuous or interlocking (connected all together)
Own Notes
What is coronal polish? - ANS -polishing of the coronal portion of the tooth
What is the difference between a coronal polish and an oral prophylaxis? - ANS -Coronal
polish: only the coronal portion of the tooth and the DA can do
Oral Prophy: is the whole cleaning and debridement of calc. This is done by the DDS and
DH
What is the purpose of selective polishing? - ANS -Procedure in which only those teeth
or surfaces with stains are polished.
The basic principle of selective polishing is that teeth should not be polished unless it is
necessary.
What is extrinsic stain? - ANS -Stain that occurs on the outside of teeth and can be
removed;
Black stain, Tobacco stain, brown or yellow stain, green stain, dental plaque agents, food
and drink, nysmyths membrane (tooth eruption)
what is intrinsic stain? - ANS -stain that occurs on the inside of teeth and cannot be
removed;
Pulpless teeth, tetracycline, dental fluorosis, imperfect tooth development, silver
amalgam, other systemic causes
Which is the most common technique for stain removal? - ANS -Rubber cup Polishing;
Silex, superfine silex, fine pumice, zirconium silicate, chalk, commercial premixed,
fluoride prophy paste
extra corse, corse, medium, fine, extra fine
Which type of grasp is used to hold hand piece? - ANS -Pen grasp
,what is the purpose of a fulcrum? - ANS -Provide stability and allows movement of the
wrist and forearm to decrease fatigue.
What precaution should be taken when esthetic type - restorations are polished? - ANS
-esthetic & porcelain restorations should be polished first. Then there remaining teeth
may be polished with the use of appropriate methods for any stain present
in which direction should the polishing stroke move? - ANS -begin with the distal
surface of the most posterior tooth in the quadrant, work forward toward the anterior. The
stroke should be from the gingival third toward the incisal third of the tooth
what damage can rest from use of the prophy cup at high speed? - ANS -higher speeds
produce frictional heat that can damage the tooth and burn the gingiva
how should the pts. head be positioned for access to the max and man arch? - ANS
-max: pts. head with chin up
man: pts. head so the lower jaw is parallel to the floor when mouth is open
Why are topical anesthetics used in dentistry? - ANS -to provide a numbing effect in a
specific area where an injection is to take place
topical medications are supplied as? how long applied for? - ANS -gels
liquids
sprays
patches
Min = 15 - 30 seconds
Max = 1 - 2 minutes
What is local anesthesia? - ANS --Loss of sensation by the prevention of both generation
and conduction of nerve impulse.
-loss of sensation without loss of consciousness
What is added to a local anesthetic to prolong its effect? - ANS -Vasoconstrictor :
combined with anesthetic to slow down the uptake of an anesthetic agent into the
bloodstream and increases the duration of action
epinephrine, levonordefrin, neo-cobefrin
what are the 2 chemical groups within anesthetics? - ANS -Ester: Primarily in topical
(metabolized in plasma)
Amide: Anesthetics (metabolized in liver)
,Contraindications for the use of a Vasoconstrictor on these types of pts.? - ANS
-Cardio/Heart disease: DONT use vasoconstrictor on these types of pts.
angina, myocardial infarction, hypertension
What are the Injection Techniques? - ANS -The location and the innervation of the tooth
or teeth to be anesthetized will be determined where topical anesthetic is placed and type
of injection given
Bone structure allows anesthetic solution to diffuse through the bone and reach the
apices of the teeth in a different manner - ANS -maxillary
anesthesia in palatal area may be necessary for procedures that involve the soft tissue of
the palate - ANS -palatal
Because of dense compact bone, anesthesia doesn't diffuse well. Therefore block
anesthesia is the type of injection used. Injected by the nerve, entire nerve branch is
numb. - ANS -Mandibular
alternative technique involves injection of anesthetic solution under pressure directly
into the periodontal ligament and surrounding tissue - ANS -Periodontal ligament
What is the purpose of fluoride? - ANS -helps prevent cavities
What are two routes or means by which the body receives fluoride? - ANS -Systemic: Is
ingested in water, food, beverages, or supplements
- absorbed through the intestines and brought the bloodstream where it is needed
Topical: Is applied in direct contact with the teeth through the use of fluoridated
toothpaste, fluoride mouthwash, rinses, and topical applications of rinses, gels, foams, &
varnishes
What is the name of the dental condition that results from too much fluoride? - ANS
-Fluorosis: Excessive fluoride during tooth development
What precautions are necessary for children who use fluoridated toothpaste? - ANS
-Adult supervision is necessary during child brushing teeth, and they should be
instructed to not swallow the toothpaste
What helps with fluoride poisoning? - ANS -MILK
What is the function of a periodontal surgical dressing? (perio pack) - ANS -Serves as a
bandage over the surgical site
, -hold flaps in place
-protect newly forming tissue
-minimize post-op pain, infection and hemorrhage
-protect surgical site from trauma during eating and drinking
-support mobile teeth during healing process
what materials are most commonly used in periodontal dressing? - ANS -Zinc-Oxide
Eugenol (ZOE)
Non-Eugenol
What is Zinc Oxide Eugenol dressing? - ANS -slow setting time makes for a longer
working time. Supplied as power and liquid - can be mixed before hand and frozen for
future, sets to firm and heavy consistency for good support and protection. Some pts.
are allergic to eugenol and may experience redness and burning in area of dressing
What is Non Eugenol Dressing? - ANS -Most widely used, cannot mix ahead of time, can
alter setting time with cool or warm water, supplied in 2 tubes - base and accelerator -
mix for 45 seconds, roll into cylinder and small triangles for inter proximal spaces, press
with index and thumb
What is post op for perio pack? - ANS -Expect swelling and some discomfort, ice on and
off in 20 min increments, limit activities to a minimum exertion for a few days, no hot
bevs. or foods. soft diet, no spicy, do not rinse for 24 hours, if spot bleeding does not
subside - apply pressure with gauze for 20 mins - call office
How to remove Perio Pack? - ANS --Removed 7 to 10 days after placement
-Gently insert the spoon excavator under the margin
-use lateral pressure to pry the dressing gently away from tissue
-if sutures are embedded in the dressing material, cut the suture material free. Remove
sutures gently from tissue
-gently use dental floss to remove all fragments of dressing material from inter proximal
surfaces
-irrigate the entire area gently with warm saline solution to remove superficial debris
-use HVE tip or Saliva ejector to remove fluid from the pts. mouth
-document procedure
How long does mixing take for perio pack? - ANS -2-3 min
lube hands with saline
roll into cylinder and interprox triangles
doughy consistency
type of suture placement? - ANS -simple or interrupted (series of singles
continuous or interlocking (connected all together)
