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OSCE DENTAL HYGIENE VERIFIED FINAL EXAM 2025/2026 –
160 LATEST QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS (A+
GUIDE)100% CORRECT, GUARANTEED PASS
1. During a dental hygiene assessment, a patient presents with generalized
gingival inflammation, bleeding on probing, and plaque accumulation. What
is the first step in patient management?
A. Perform scaling and root planing immediately
B. Complete a comprehensive oral assessment and medical history
C. Prescribe systemic antibiotics
D. Educate the patient on diet alone
Answer: B. Complete a comprehensive oral assessment and medical
history
Rationale: The first step is to gather complete information about the
patient’s oral and systemic health to identify risk factors and
contraindications. Immediate interventions like scaling or antibiotics are
secondary to assessment.
2. Which of the following is the most effective method for assessing
periodontal pocket depth?
A. Visual inspection
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B. Radiographs only
C. Manual periodontal probing
D. Patient self-report
Answer: C. Manual periodontal probing
Rationale: Periodontal probing allows accurate measurement of sulcus or
pocket depth around each tooth. Visual inspection and radiographs are
supportive but cannot replace probing for precise assessment. Proper
technique and consistent force are crucial.
3. What is the primary goal of patient education in dental hygiene practice?
A. Reduce treatment time
B. Promote lifelong oral health behaviors
C. Increase revenue for the dental practice
D. Encourage the use of cosmetic dental products
Answer: B. Promote lifelong oral health behaviors
Rationale: Patient education empowers patients to maintain oral health,
prevent disease, and understand risk factors. It should be individualized,
culturally sensitive, and motivational.
4. A patient reports sensitivity to cold and hot stimuli on multiple teeth. Which
condition is most likely?
A. Gingivitis
B. Dental caries
C. Enamel erosion or dentin hypersensitivity
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D. Oral cancer
Answer: C. Enamel erosion or dentin hypersensitivity
Rationale: Sensitivity to temperature indicates loss of enamel or exposed
dentin. Management may include fluoride varnishes, desensitizing
toothpaste, and addressing dietary or oral habits.
5. When performing an oral cancer screening, which sites are critical to
examine?
A. Tongue, floor of the mouth, lips, buccal mucosa, and oropharynx
B. Only the teeth
C. Only the gingiva
D. Only the palate
Answer: A. Tongue, floor of the mouth, lips, buccal mucosa, and
oropharynx
Rationale: Oral cancer can develop at multiple sites. Examine for color
changes, lesions, ulcerations, or asymmetry. Early detection improves
outcomes.
6. A patient presents with moderate plaque and calculus buildup. Which
prophylactic treatment is indicated?
A. Daily brushing at home only
B. Professional scaling and polishing
C. Prescribe systemic antibiotics immediately
D. Use of whitening toothpaste alone
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Answer: B. Professional scaling and polishing
Rationale: Professional removal of plaque and calculus prevents
periodontitis. Patient education on home care should accompany treatment.
Antibiotics are not first-line for routine plaque control.
7. What is the rationale for using disclosing agents during a dental hygiene
visit?
A. To whiten teeth
B. To visualize plaque accumulation for patient education
C. To treat gingivitis
D. To replace fluoride varnish
Answer: B. To visualize plaque accumulation for patient education
Rationale: Disclosing agents stain plaque, making it visible to both clinician
and patient. This aids in education, motivation, and evaluation of home care
effectiveness.
8. During oral health instruction, which brushing technique is recommended
for a patient with healthy gingiva and no recession?
A. Horizontal scrubbing technique
B. Modified Bass technique
C. Circular scrubbing
D. No brushing needed
Answer: B. Modified Bass technique
Rationale: The Modified Bass technique efficiently removes plaque along
OSCE DENTAL HYGIENE VERIFIED FINAL EXAM 2025/2026 –
160 LATEST QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS (A+
GUIDE)100% CORRECT, GUARANTEED PASS
1. During a dental hygiene assessment, a patient presents with generalized
gingival inflammation, bleeding on probing, and plaque accumulation. What
is the first step in patient management?
A. Perform scaling and root planing immediately
B. Complete a comprehensive oral assessment and medical history
C. Prescribe systemic antibiotics
D. Educate the patient on diet alone
Answer: B. Complete a comprehensive oral assessment and medical
history
Rationale: The first step is to gather complete information about the
patient’s oral and systemic health to identify risk factors and
contraindications. Immediate interventions like scaling or antibiotics are
secondary to assessment.
2. Which of the following is the most effective method for assessing
periodontal pocket depth?
A. Visual inspection
, 2|Page
B. Radiographs only
C. Manual periodontal probing
D. Patient self-report
Answer: C. Manual periodontal probing
Rationale: Periodontal probing allows accurate measurement of sulcus or
pocket depth around each tooth. Visual inspection and radiographs are
supportive but cannot replace probing for precise assessment. Proper
technique and consistent force are crucial.
3. What is the primary goal of patient education in dental hygiene practice?
A. Reduce treatment time
B. Promote lifelong oral health behaviors
C. Increase revenue for the dental practice
D. Encourage the use of cosmetic dental products
Answer: B. Promote lifelong oral health behaviors
Rationale: Patient education empowers patients to maintain oral health,
prevent disease, and understand risk factors. It should be individualized,
culturally sensitive, and motivational.
4. A patient reports sensitivity to cold and hot stimuli on multiple teeth. Which
condition is most likely?
A. Gingivitis
B. Dental caries
C. Enamel erosion or dentin hypersensitivity
, 3|Page
D. Oral cancer
Answer: C. Enamel erosion or dentin hypersensitivity
Rationale: Sensitivity to temperature indicates loss of enamel or exposed
dentin. Management may include fluoride varnishes, desensitizing
toothpaste, and addressing dietary or oral habits.
5. When performing an oral cancer screening, which sites are critical to
examine?
A. Tongue, floor of the mouth, lips, buccal mucosa, and oropharynx
B. Only the teeth
C. Only the gingiva
D. Only the palate
Answer: A. Tongue, floor of the mouth, lips, buccal mucosa, and
oropharynx
Rationale: Oral cancer can develop at multiple sites. Examine for color
changes, lesions, ulcerations, or asymmetry. Early detection improves
outcomes.
6. A patient presents with moderate plaque and calculus buildup. Which
prophylactic treatment is indicated?
A. Daily brushing at home only
B. Professional scaling and polishing
C. Prescribe systemic antibiotics immediately
D. Use of whitening toothpaste alone
, 4|Page
Answer: B. Professional scaling and polishing
Rationale: Professional removal of plaque and calculus prevents
periodontitis. Patient education on home care should accompany treatment.
Antibiotics are not first-line for routine plaque control.
7. What is the rationale for using disclosing agents during a dental hygiene
visit?
A. To whiten teeth
B. To visualize plaque accumulation for patient education
C. To treat gingivitis
D. To replace fluoride varnish
Answer: B. To visualize plaque accumulation for patient education
Rationale: Disclosing agents stain plaque, making it visible to both clinician
and patient. This aids in education, motivation, and evaluation of home care
effectiveness.
8. During oral health instruction, which brushing technique is recommended
for a patient with healthy gingiva and no recession?
A. Horizontal scrubbing technique
B. Modified Bass technique
C. Circular scrubbing
D. No brushing needed
Answer: B. Modified Bass technique
Rationale: The Modified Bass technique efficiently removes plaque along
