ORAL-FACIAL EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
No speech assessment would be complete without? - Answer --Without an oral facial
examination
What is the purpose of an oral facial examination? - Answer --To identify or rule out
structural or functional factors that relate to a communication disorder
What are the four items needed for an oral facial examination? - Answer --Disposable
gloves
-Stop watch to measure didochokinetic rate
-Small flashlight to illuminate oral cavity
-Tongue depressor to assist in holding tongue down to observe velum
List and explain the 3 steps on how to give an oral periph to preschoolers: - Answer -1.
Don't do oral facial exam first thing; save this test towards the middle/ end, whenever
they becomes more comfortable with you
2. Introduce the exam as a game; instead of saying "let me see your", try to make it a
fun thing such as "lets play copy cat"
3. Make them feel at ease by; letting them touch and feel stuff (like the gloves)
What is a safety precaution to remember when performing an oral facial? - Answer --
Protect all parties from possible bodily fluids and infectious materials (always assume
clients are an infectious risk and use appropriate barrier practices)
List 4 Safety rules when performing an oral facial: - Answer -- Sterilize all equipment to
be used in the mouth
- Wash hands before and after contact
-Wear gloves
-Remove gloves without touching the outside and safely dispose of them
What does valid interpretation of findings from an oral facial examination require? -
Answer --Requires an understanding of the anatomic, physiologic and neurologic bases
of the oral facial structures and their functions
What does it take to asses the relationship between oral facial integrity and
communciation function? - Answer --Takes time and lots of experience
Name the 12 different observations that can be noted from an oral facial exam : -
Answer -- Abnormal color of the tongue, palate and or pharynx
-abnormal height or width of palatal arch
, -asymmetry of the face or palate
-deviation of the tongue or uvula
-enlarged tonsils
-missing teeth
-mouth breathing
-poor intraoral pressure
-prominent ruggae
-short lingual frenum
-weak or absent gag reflux
-weakness of the lips tongue or jaw
What are abnormal colors of the tongue, palate and or pharynx? - Answer --Pink/ red =
normal
-Gray = muscular paralysis
-Blue tint = may result from excessive bleeding
-Dark or transcluent color on the hard palate = palatal fistula (little hole) or cleft
-Dark spots = possible oral cancer
-Whitish color present along border of hard and soft palate = symptom of submucous
cleft (cleft that is under the skin)
What is the most common sign of submucous cleft? - Answer --An abnormal uvula (not
necessarily a bifid uvula)
What are other signs of a submucous cleft? - Answer --Uvula may be intact, short,
stubby
-There may be a notch in bony structure
-Ppl with this may have normal speech but may be at risk for hypernasality after
adenoidectomy
No speech assessment would be complete without? - Answer --Without an oral facial
examination
What is the purpose of an oral facial examination? - Answer --To identify or rule out
structural or functional factors that relate to a communication disorder
What are the four items needed for an oral facial examination? - Answer --Disposable
gloves
-Stop watch to measure didochokinetic rate
-Small flashlight to illuminate oral cavity
-Tongue depressor to assist in holding tongue down to observe velum
List and explain the 3 steps on how to give an oral periph to preschoolers: - Answer -1.
Don't do oral facial exam first thing; save this test towards the middle/ end, whenever
they becomes more comfortable with you
2. Introduce the exam as a game; instead of saying "let me see your", try to make it a
fun thing such as "lets play copy cat"
3. Make them feel at ease by; letting them touch and feel stuff (like the gloves)
What is a safety precaution to remember when performing an oral facial? - Answer --
Protect all parties from possible bodily fluids and infectious materials (always assume
clients are an infectious risk and use appropriate barrier practices)
List 4 Safety rules when performing an oral facial: - Answer -- Sterilize all equipment to
be used in the mouth
- Wash hands before and after contact
-Wear gloves
-Remove gloves without touching the outside and safely dispose of them
What does valid interpretation of findings from an oral facial examination require? -
Answer --Requires an understanding of the anatomic, physiologic and neurologic bases
of the oral facial structures and their functions
What does it take to asses the relationship between oral facial integrity and
communciation function? - Answer --Takes time and lots of experience
Name the 12 different observations that can be noted from an oral facial exam : -
Answer -- Abnormal color of the tongue, palate and or pharynx
-abnormal height or width of palatal arch
, -asymmetry of the face or palate
-deviation of the tongue or uvula
-enlarged tonsils
-missing teeth
-mouth breathing
-poor intraoral pressure
-prominent ruggae
-short lingual frenum
-weak or absent gag reflux
-weakness of the lips tongue or jaw
What are abnormal colors of the tongue, palate and or pharynx? - Answer --Pink/ red =
normal
-Gray = muscular paralysis
-Blue tint = may result from excessive bleeding
-Dark or transcluent color on the hard palate = palatal fistula (little hole) or cleft
-Dark spots = possible oral cancer
-Whitish color present along border of hard and soft palate = symptom of submucous
cleft (cleft that is under the skin)
What is the most common sign of submucous cleft? - Answer --An abnormal uvula (not
necessarily a bifid uvula)
What are other signs of a submucous cleft? - Answer --Uvula may be intact, short,
stubby
-There may be a notch in bony structure
-Ppl with this may have normal speech but may be at risk for hypernasality after
adenoidectomy
