HESI DENTAL HYGIENE EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
(VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS) LATEST UPDATE
2025/2026
Under which classification of gingival diseases and conditions is puberty-
associated gingivitis found? -- CORRECT ANSWER- Plaque-Induced Gingival
diseases modified by systemic factors
A patient presents with a short, thick lingual frenum that results in limited tongue
movement affecting speech. Which is the most likely diagnosis of this condition? --
CORRECT ANSWER- Ankyloglossia
When is tooth eruption complete? -- CORRECT ANSWER- Tooth has made
contact with its antagonists in opposing jaw
When does mixed dentition begin? -- CORRECT ANSWER- Eruption of first
permanent tooth
How many succedaneous teeth are in permanent dentition? -- CORRECT
ANSWER- 20
The junction of a buccal and lingual triangular ridge is a transverse ridge. The
oblique ridge of a maxillary molar is an example of a transverse ridge. --
CORRECT ANSWER- The first statement is true and the second is false
,Which factor makes aging enamel less susceptible to caries? -- CORRECT
ANSWER- reduced permeability
Which groove is the most identifying characteristic of a three-cusp mandibular
second premolar? -- CORRECT ANSWER- Distolingual
Which is true regarding the height of contour? -- CORRECT ANSWER- Greatest
elevation of tooth either incisocervically or occlusocervically
How many primary and permanent teeth are typically present in an eight yr old
child? -- CORRECT ANSWER- 14 primary; 10 permanent
Which describes the junction of two surfaces of a crown? -- CORRECT
ANSWER- line angle
Which G.V. Black classification involves the proximal surfaces of anterior teeth
including the incised edge or angle? -- CORRECT ANSWER- IV
Which ridge is a unique characteristic of permanent maxillary molars? --
CORRECT ANSWER- Oblique
Which division of the fifth cranial nerve innervates the temporomandibular joint? -
- CORRECT ANSWER- Mandibular
Facial paralysis can result from damage to the motor neurons of which cranial
nerve? -- CORRECT ANSWER- VII
,Which is the target area for the inferior alveolar nerve block? -- CORRECT
ANSWER- mandibular foramen on medial surface of mandible
Which salivary gland is encapsulated? -- CORRECT ANSWER- Sublingual
Which type of joint is the temporomandibular? -- CORRECT ANSWER-
Synovial
Which peripheral nervous system and subdivision are responsible for a shutdown
of salivary gland secretion? -- CORRECT ANSWER- autonomic; sympathetic
Destroyed enamel cannot reform since the cells that formed it no longer exist.
Cavitated enamel can repair itself by the incorporation of calcium and phosphate
ions from saliva? -- CORRECT ANSWER- First statement is true second
statement is false
Which bacterium is most important in causing the progression of carious lesions? -
- CORRECT ANSWER- Aciduric
Anaerobe bacteria -- CORRECT ANSWER- grow only in the absence of oxygen
Which bacterial structure interferes with phagocytosis? -- CORRECT ANSWER-
capsule
Which bacteria grow best in refrigerated conditions? -- CORRECT ANSWER-
Psychrophils
, Endotoxin is a virulence property of -- CORRECT ANSWER- gram-negative
bacteria
When comparing viruses to bacteria, viruses -- CORRECT ANSWER- enter host
cells before they can multiply
Which is treated with nystatin? -- CORRECT ANSWER- Candidiasis
Which is detected in the blood within two months after successful immunization
with the hepatitis B vaccine? -- CORRECT ANSWER- Anti-HBs
Which hypersensitivity reaction is an allergy to the natural rubber latex in
examination gloves? -- CORRECT ANSWER- I
Which bacterial genus contains species that cause pneumatic fever, scarlet fever,
and pharyngitis? -- CORRECT ANSWER- Streptococcus
Each of the following is an antituberculin agent EXCEPT one. Which is the
EXCEPTION?
A. Ethambutol
B. Isoniazid
C. Nizoral
D. Rifampin -- CORRECT ANSWER- C. Nizoral
Which condition warrants antibiotic premedication? -- CORRECT ANSWER-
Repaired congenital heart disease
(VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS) LATEST UPDATE
2025/2026
Under which classification of gingival diseases and conditions is puberty-
associated gingivitis found? -- CORRECT ANSWER- Plaque-Induced Gingival
diseases modified by systemic factors
A patient presents with a short, thick lingual frenum that results in limited tongue
movement affecting speech. Which is the most likely diagnosis of this condition? --
CORRECT ANSWER- Ankyloglossia
When is tooth eruption complete? -- CORRECT ANSWER- Tooth has made
contact with its antagonists in opposing jaw
When does mixed dentition begin? -- CORRECT ANSWER- Eruption of first
permanent tooth
How many succedaneous teeth are in permanent dentition? -- CORRECT
ANSWER- 20
The junction of a buccal and lingual triangular ridge is a transverse ridge. The
oblique ridge of a maxillary molar is an example of a transverse ridge. --
CORRECT ANSWER- The first statement is true and the second is false
,Which factor makes aging enamel less susceptible to caries? -- CORRECT
ANSWER- reduced permeability
Which groove is the most identifying characteristic of a three-cusp mandibular
second premolar? -- CORRECT ANSWER- Distolingual
Which is true regarding the height of contour? -- CORRECT ANSWER- Greatest
elevation of tooth either incisocervically or occlusocervically
How many primary and permanent teeth are typically present in an eight yr old
child? -- CORRECT ANSWER- 14 primary; 10 permanent
Which describes the junction of two surfaces of a crown? -- CORRECT
ANSWER- line angle
Which G.V. Black classification involves the proximal surfaces of anterior teeth
including the incised edge or angle? -- CORRECT ANSWER- IV
Which ridge is a unique characteristic of permanent maxillary molars? --
CORRECT ANSWER- Oblique
Which division of the fifth cranial nerve innervates the temporomandibular joint? -
- CORRECT ANSWER- Mandibular
Facial paralysis can result from damage to the motor neurons of which cranial
nerve? -- CORRECT ANSWER- VII
,Which is the target area for the inferior alveolar nerve block? -- CORRECT
ANSWER- mandibular foramen on medial surface of mandible
Which salivary gland is encapsulated? -- CORRECT ANSWER- Sublingual
Which type of joint is the temporomandibular? -- CORRECT ANSWER-
Synovial
Which peripheral nervous system and subdivision are responsible for a shutdown
of salivary gland secretion? -- CORRECT ANSWER- autonomic; sympathetic
Destroyed enamel cannot reform since the cells that formed it no longer exist.
Cavitated enamel can repair itself by the incorporation of calcium and phosphate
ions from saliva? -- CORRECT ANSWER- First statement is true second
statement is false
Which bacterium is most important in causing the progression of carious lesions? -
- CORRECT ANSWER- Aciduric
Anaerobe bacteria -- CORRECT ANSWER- grow only in the absence of oxygen
Which bacterial structure interferes with phagocytosis? -- CORRECT ANSWER-
capsule
Which bacteria grow best in refrigerated conditions? -- CORRECT ANSWER-
Psychrophils
, Endotoxin is a virulence property of -- CORRECT ANSWER- gram-negative
bacteria
When comparing viruses to bacteria, viruses -- CORRECT ANSWER- enter host
cells before they can multiply
Which is treated with nystatin? -- CORRECT ANSWER- Candidiasis
Which is detected in the blood within two months after successful immunization
with the hepatitis B vaccine? -- CORRECT ANSWER- Anti-HBs
Which hypersensitivity reaction is an allergy to the natural rubber latex in
examination gloves? -- CORRECT ANSWER- I
Which bacterial genus contains species that cause pneumatic fever, scarlet fever,
and pharyngitis? -- CORRECT ANSWER- Streptococcus
Each of the following is an antituberculin agent EXCEPT one. Which is the
EXCEPTION?
A. Ethambutol
B. Isoniazid
C. Nizoral
D. Rifampin -- CORRECT ANSWER- C. Nizoral
Which condition warrants antibiotic premedication? -- CORRECT ANSWER-
Repaired congenital heart disease
