NDHCE Board question with answers
Mr. Pothier, 65 years old, presents with localized 6mm periodontal probing depths. Calculus can be seen
interproximally in the same areas on a radiograph. The client terminated his previous dental hygiene
appointment early due to sensitivity. Which one of the following interventions would best contribute to
effective periodontal debridement for Mr. Pothier?
A. Local anaesthetic
B. Ultrasonic scaler
C. Hand instruments
D. Relaxation techniques - -A
-Lara, 14 years old, presents for her continuing care appointment with signs of an eating disorder, but
has not indicated this in her health history. What action should the dental hygienist take?
A. Confront her with the suspected condition
B. Ask her if she has sought medical help for her condition
C. Discuss the signs of her condition with her parents
D. Share with her the findings that are consistent with her condition - -D
-Mrs. Meltzer, 72 years old, presents for periodontal therapy. She is scheduled for chemotherapy for
breast cancer in 4 weeks. The dental hygienist will need several appointments to complete the dental
hygiene therapy. In addition to treating the current periodontal condition, what action should the dental
hygienist take when developing the dental hygiene care plan?
A. Reassure Mrs. Meltzer that oral manifestations are rare with chemotherapy and recommend she
continue her current oral self-care regime.
B. Provide information on the oral manifestations that may occur during chemotherapy and develop
specific preventive strategies with Mrs. Meltzer.
C. Explain to Mrs. Meltzer that oral self-care practices will help prevent the oral manifestations
associated with chemotherapy.
D. Refer Mrs. Meltzer to a periodontist for further treatment and recommend use of an oral irrigator. - -
B
-The dental hygienist sees Ms. Ouellet, 34 years old, for her 6-mont continuing care appointment. It is
the first time Ms. Ouellet has been seen by the dental hygienist because another colleague has
previously provided this treatment. The dental hygienist finds generalized heavy subgingival calculus 5-
6mm periodontal probing depths. No pocket depths were previously recorded on Ms. Ouellet's chart.
What is the dental hygienist's professional responsibility in this situation?
A. Report this problem to the dental hygiene regulatory authority.
B. Report this situation, anonymously, to the dental hygiene professional association.
C. Document the findings and discuss with the other clinician in private.
D. Immediately refer Ms. Ouellet to a periodontist for therapy. - -C
, -Keegan, 16 years old, presents with fractures of the lingual cusps on two teeth, What is the most likely
cause of this type of fracture?
A. Pen chewing.
B. A tongue study.
C. History of bulimia nervosa.
D. A bruxism habit. - -B
-Mr. Stephanos, 52 years old, is a new client. He presents with generalized Stage III Grade B
periodontitis and is in need of extensive periodontal debridement. He confirms a long history of alcohol
abuse and that he has recently begun alcohol cessation counseling. What is the most important
information for the dental hygienist to provide to Mr. Stephanos regarding his treatment?
A. His delayed response to healing.
B The benefits of a phenol-based mouthrinse.
C. His need for a prescription for a post-operative analgesic.
D. The advantages of him taking tetracycline. - -A
-A dental hygienist has been asked to provide information to client about a new tooth whitening
procedure. The dental hygienist did not study this procedure at school. Which one of the following
sources of information should the dental hygienist consult before providing information to clients about
this procedure?
A. The employer regarding the new technique.
B. Reports of randomized controlled clinical trials.
C. Colleagues regarding technique and efficacy.
D. Dental supply companies regarding available products. - -B
-The initial assessment of Mr. Parker, 40 years old, reveals tenderness in the temporomandibular joint
area, bilateral lymphadenopathy, white folded plaques on the lateral borders of the tongue, linear
gingival erythema, and generalized 7-9mm periodontal probing depths. Which on of the following
referrals would be most important for Mr. Parker?
A. Counselor for a tobacco use cessation intervention.
B. Radiologist for temporomandibular joint pain.
C. Physician for the health assessment.
D. Periodontist for the periodontal condition. - -C
-What type of technique error can be seen near the maxillary third molars on the following panoramic
radiograph?
A. Ghost image
B. Herringtonbone pattern
C. Reticulation
D. Film fog - -A
, -Mrs. Guay, 73 years old, presents to her continuing care appointment with a recently placed
mandibular canine-to-canine periodontal splint. During the assessment, the dental hygienist notices
changes in her periodontium arising from ineffective dental biofilm control methods. What should the
dental hygienist expect to observe?
A. Narrower embrasures preventing dental biofilm removal.
B. A wider periodontal ligament space.
C. Radiographic evidence of bone loss.
D. Increased bleeding on probing. - -D
-Mrs. Sandhu, 58 years old, is a recent immigrant. She does not speak English or French; however, she is
accompnied by an interpreter for assessment and treatment planning. At the follow-up appointment,
Mrs. Sandhu arrives alone. During periodontal debridement, the dental hygienist determines Mrs.
Sandhu needs local anesthetic. What should the dental hygienist do next?
A. Explain the action of local anesthetic using gestures.
B. Have the interpreter explain the procedure by telephone.
C. Use pictures to explain the need for the procedure.
D. Proceed with the treatment without the local anesthetic. - -B
-After consultation between a group of dental hygienists and public health nurses, a kit for new parents
was created to reduce the incidence of early childhood caries. The nurses will use the kit in their
prenatal classes. This is an example of which one of the following health promotion strategies?
A. Collaboration.
B. Health education.
C. Community organization.
D. Advocacy - -A
-Shortly after administering a posterior superior alveolar injection for subgingival periodontal
debridement of sextant 3, the dental hygienist notices a hematoma developing extraorally on the
anesthetized side. What should the dental hygienist do?
A. Massage the area of the injection site to alleviate any pain.
B. Apply heat immediately to the area for up to 4 hours.
C. Advise the client that the hematoma will likely disappear in 2-3 days.
D. Place an ice pack on the area to minimize the size of the hematoma. - -D
-Following a client's appointment, the dental hygienist is preparing the operatory for the next client.
What is the recommended minimum time that water should be run through the water lines before the
next appointment?
A. 20 seconds
B. 60 seconds
Mr. Pothier, 65 years old, presents with localized 6mm periodontal probing depths. Calculus can be seen
interproximally in the same areas on a radiograph. The client terminated his previous dental hygiene
appointment early due to sensitivity. Which one of the following interventions would best contribute to
effective periodontal debridement for Mr. Pothier?
A. Local anaesthetic
B. Ultrasonic scaler
C. Hand instruments
D. Relaxation techniques - -A
-Lara, 14 years old, presents for her continuing care appointment with signs of an eating disorder, but
has not indicated this in her health history. What action should the dental hygienist take?
A. Confront her with the suspected condition
B. Ask her if she has sought medical help for her condition
C. Discuss the signs of her condition with her parents
D. Share with her the findings that are consistent with her condition - -D
-Mrs. Meltzer, 72 years old, presents for periodontal therapy. She is scheduled for chemotherapy for
breast cancer in 4 weeks. The dental hygienist will need several appointments to complete the dental
hygiene therapy. In addition to treating the current periodontal condition, what action should the dental
hygienist take when developing the dental hygiene care plan?
A. Reassure Mrs. Meltzer that oral manifestations are rare with chemotherapy and recommend she
continue her current oral self-care regime.
B. Provide information on the oral manifestations that may occur during chemotherapy and develop
specific preventive strategies with Mrs. Meltzer.
C. Explain to Mrs. Meltzer that oral self-care practices will help prevent the oral manifestations
associated with chemotherapy.
D. Refer Mrs. Meltzer to a periodontist for further treatment and recommend use of an oral irrigator. - -
B
-The dental hygienist sees Ms. Ouellet, 34 years old, for her 6-mont continuing care appointment. It is
the first time Ms. Ouellet has been seen by the dental hygienist because another colleague has
previously provided this treatment. The dental hygienist finds generalized heavy subgingival calculus 5-
6mm periodontal probing depths. No pocket depths were previously recorded on Ms. Ouellet's chart.
What is the dental hygienist's professional responsibility in this situation?
A. Report this problem to the dental hygiene regulatory authority.
B. Report this situation, anonymously, to the dental hygiene professional association.
C. Document the findings and discuss with the other clinician in private.
D. Immediately refer Ms. Ouellet to a periodontist for therapy. - -C
, -Keegan, 16 years old, presents with fractures of the lingual cusps on two teeth, What is the most likely
cause of this type of fracture?
A. Pen chewing.
B. A tongue study.
C. History of bulimia nervosa.
D. A bruxism habit. - -B
-Mr. Stephanos, 52 years old, is a new client. He presents with generalized Stage III Grade B
periodontitis and is in need of extensive periodontal debridement. He confirms a long history of alcohol
abuse and that he has recently begun alcohol cessation counseling. What is the most important
information for the dental hygienist to provide to Mr. Stephanos regarding his treatment?
A. His delayed response to healing.
B The benefits of a phenol-based mouthrinse.
C. His need for a prescription for a post-operative analgesic.
D. The advantages of him taking tetracycline. - -A
-A dental hygienist has been asked to provide information to client about a new tooth whitening
procedure. The dental hygienist did not study this procedure at school. Which one of the following
sources of information should the dental hygienist consult before providing information to clients about
this procedure?
A. The employer regarding the new technique.
B. Reports of randomized controlled clinical trials.
C. Colleagues regarding technique and efficacy.
D. Dental supply companies regarding available products. - -B
-The initial assessment of Mr. Parker, 40 years old, reveals tenderness in the temporomandibular joint
area, bilateral lymphadenopathy, white folded plaques on the lateral borders of the tongue, linear
gingival erythema, and generalized 7-9mm periodontal probing depths. Which on of the following
referrals would be most important for Mr. Parker?
A. Counselor for a tobacco use cessation intervention.
B. Radiologist for temporomandibular joint pain.
C. Physician for the health assessment.
D. Periodontist for the periodontal condition. - -C
-What type of technique error can be seen near the maxillary third molars on the following panoramic
radiograph?
A. Ghost image
B. Herringtonbone pattern
C. Reticulation
D. Film fog - -A
, -Mrs. Guay, 73 years old, presents to her continuing care appointment with a recently placed
mandibular canine-to-canine periodontal splint. During the assessment, the dental hygienist notices
changes in her periodontium arising from ineffective dental biofilm control methods. What should the
dental hygienist expect to observe?
A. Narrower embrasures preventing dental biofilm removal.
B. A wider periodontal ligament space.
C. Radiographic evidence of bone loss.
D. Increased bleeding on probing. - -D
-Mrs. Sandhu, 58 years old, is a recent immigrant. She does not speak English or French; however, she is
accompnied by an interpreter for assessment and treatment planning. At the follow-up appointment,
Mrs. Sandhu arrives alone. During periodontal debridement, the dental hygienist determines Mrs.
Sandhu needs local anesthetic. What should the dental hygienist do next?
A. Explain the action of local anesthetic using gestures.
B. Have the interpreter explain the procedure by telephone.
C. Use pictures to explain the need for the procedure.
D. Proceed with the treatment without the local anesthetic. - -B
-After consultation between a group of dental hygienists and public health nurses, a kit for new parents
was created to reduce the incidence of early childhood caries. The nurses will use the kit in their
prenatal classes. This is an example of which one of the following health promotion strategies?
A. Collaboration.
B. Health education.
C. Community organization.
D. Advocacy - -A
-Shortly after administering a posterior superior alveolar injection for subgingival periodontal
debridement of sextant 3, the dental hygienist notices a hematoma developing extraorally on the
anesthetized side. What should the dental hygienist do?
A. Massage the area of the injection site to alleviate any pain.
B. Apply heat immediately to the area for up to 4 hours.
C. Advise the client that the hematoma will likely disappear in 2-3 days.
D. Place an ice pack on the area to minimize the size of the hematoma. - -D
-Following a client's appointment, the dental hygienist is preparing the operatory for the next client.
What is the recommended minimum time that water should be run through the water lines before the
next appointment?
A. 20 seconds
B. 60 seconds
