New York Dental Hygienist Licensing Exam —
Practice Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
Instant download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of dental hygiene care?
A. To restore missing teeth
B. To promote and maintain oral health
C. To diagnose oral disease
D. To perform orthodontic adjustments
Maintaining oral health through prevention and education is the foundation
of dental hygiene.
2. Which of the following is part of the dental hygienist’s legal scope of
practice in New York?
A. Prescribing systemic antibiotics
B. Performing endodontic therapy
C. Removing calculus deposits and stains
D. Placing amalgam restorations
New York law permits hygienists to remove deposits and stains but not
perform restorative or endodontic procedures.
3. In New York, dental hygienists must be licensed by which agency?
A. Department of Health
B. Board of Regents
C. New York State Education Department (NYSED), Office of the
Professions
D. Dental Association of New York
The NYSED oversees professional licensure, including dental hygiene.
,4. What minimum education is required to become a dental hygienist in New
York?
A. High school diploma
B. Associate degree in dental hygiene
C. Bachelor’s degree in biology
D. Dental assistant certification
An associate degree from an accredited dental hygiene program is required
for licensure.
5. Which infection control protocol is mandated by OSHA?
A. Annual CPR recertification
B. Use of Standard Precautions
C. Use of N95 masks for all procedures
D. Weekly employee hepatitis B titers
Standard Precautions apply to all patient interactions to prevent
transmission of infectious agents.
6. What is the first step in the dental hygiene process of care?
A. Planning
B. Implementation
C. Assessment
D. Evaluation
Assessment provides the baseline data used for diagnosis and treatment
planning.
7. A patient’s gingiva appears red, spongy, and bleeds easily. What is the likely
diagnosis?
A. Healthy gingiva
B. Gingivitis
C. Periodontitis
D. Trauma
These are classic signs of gingival inflammation without bone loss.
8. Which instrument is primarily used for subgingival calculus removal?
A. Sickle scaler
, B. Hoe
C. Gracey curette
D. Chisel scaler
Curettes are designed for subgingival scaling and root planing.
9. Which part of the instrument is adapted to the tooth surface during
scaling?
A. Shank
B. Handle
C. Lower third of the working end
D. Fulcrum
Only the lower third of the blade contacts the tooth for optimal control.
10.Which fluoride concentration is typically used in a professional fluoride
varnish?
A. 0.05% NaF
B. 0.2% NaF
C. 5% NaF (22,600 ppm)
D. 1.23% APF
Most varnishes contain 5% sodium fluoride for high fluoride uptake.
11.Which explorer is best suited for detecting subgingival calculus?
A. 17/23
B. 3A
C. 11/12
D. Pigtail
The 11/12 explorer has a flexible shank and curved design ideal for deep
pockets.
12.Which toothbrushing method is recommended for patients with gingival
recession?
A. Stillman
B. Modified Bass
Practice Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
Instant download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of dental hygiene care?
A. To restore missing teeth
B. To promote and maintain oral health
C. To diagnose oral disease
D. To perform orthodontic adjustments
Maintaining oral health through prevention and education is the foundation
of dental hygiene.
2. Which of the following is part of the dental hygienist’s legal scope of
practice in New York?
A. Prescribing systemic antibiotics
B. Performing endodontic therapy
C. Removing calculus deposits and stains
D. Placing amalgam restorations
New York law permits hygienists to remove deposits and stains but not
perform restorative or endodontic procedures.
3. In New York, dental hygienists must be licensed by which agency?
A. Department of Health
B. Board of Regents
C. New York State Education Department (NYSED), Office of the
Professions
D. Dental Association of New York
The NYSED oversees professional licensure, including dental hygiene.
,4. What minimum education is required to become a dental hygienist in New
York?
A. High school diploma
B. Associate degree in dental hygiene
C. Bachelor’s degree in biology
D. Dental assistant certification
An associate degree from an accredited dental hygiene program is required
for licensure.
5. Which infection control protocol is mandated by OSHA?
A. Annual CPR recertification
B. Use of Standard Precautions
C. Use of N95 masks for all procedures
D. Weekly employee hepatitis B titers
Standard Precautions apply to all patient interactions to prevent
transmission of infectious agents.
6. What is the first step in the dental hygiene process of care?
A. Planning
B. Implementation
C. Assessment
D. Evaluation
Assessment provides the baseline data used for diagnosis and treatment
planning.
7. A patient’s gingiva appears red, spongy, and bleeds easily. What is the likely
diagnosis?
A. Healthy gingiva
B. Gingivitis
C. Periodontitis
D. Trauma
These are classic signs of gingival inflammation without bone loss.
8. Which instrument is primarily used for subgingival calculus removal?
A. Sickle scaler
, B. Hoe
C. Gracey curette
D. Chisel scaler
Curettes are designed for subgingival scaling and root planing.
9. Which part of the instrument is adapted to the tooth surface during
scaling?
A. Shank
B. Handle
C. Lower third of the working end
D. Fulcrum
Only the lower third of the blade contacts the tooth for optimal control.
10.Which fluoride concentration is typically used in a professional fluoride
varnish?
A. 0.05% NaF
B. 0.2% NaF
C. 5% NaF (22,600 ppm)
D. 1.23% APF
Most varnishes contain 5% sodium fluoride for high fluoride uptake.
11.Which explorer is best suited for detecting subgingival calculus?
A. 17/23
B. 3A
C. 11/12
D. Pigtail
The 11/12 explorer has a flexible shank and curved design ideal for deep
pockets.
12.Which toothbrushing method is recommended for patients with gingival
recession?
A. Stillman
B. Modified Bass
