NBDHE EXAM | NATIONAL BOARD DENTAL
HYGIENE EXAM
Prepare confidently for the NBDHE with this comprehensive study guide covering essential dental
hygiene topics, including patient care, clinical procedures, and biomedical sciences.
An ideal resource for dental hygiene students aiming to pass the national board exam."
What are some examples of bio-hazard waste? ...... ANSWER ..... Sharps, items that
drip of blood and/or saliva, and hard and soft tissues removed from patient
The bio-hazard waste or regulated true or false? ...... ANSWER ..... True
When should we change our mask? ...... ANSWER ..... When it becomes wet or soiled
with every patient. That includes your fluids as well.
What is the purpose of PPE? ...... ANSWER ..... Is to minimize the exposure to
Aerosol, Spatter, Direct transmission, and Indirect transmission (ASDI)
Do disinfectants kill spores? ...... ANSWER ..... NO
What are some types of disinfectants? ...... ANSWER ..... Chlorine-based compounds,
iodophors, phenols, quaternary compounds
What are some bad qualities of chlorine-based compounds? ...... ANSWER .....
corrosive to metals and strong odor
What are some bad qualities of phenols? ...... ANSWER ..... may leave a film or
residue on surfaces
What are some bad qualities of iodophors? ...... ANSWER ..... can discolor some
surfaces yellow
What are some bad qualities of quaternary compounds? ...... ANSWER ..... not
corrosive, but have a lower kill spectrum
What would be some good qualities of disinfectants? ...... ANSWER ..... rapid, broad
spectrum antimicrobial, bacteriocidal, fungicidal, tuberculocidal, virucidal, odorless,
easy to use, fast acting, economical, residual effect which it continues to work after it
dries, not toxic to touch or inhalation, EPA registered, and disinfects and cleans.
Is a spatter invisible to the eye? ...... ANSWER ..... NO, can see it when airborne
Is aerosol invisible to the eye? ...... ANSWER ..... yes, remain in the air for a while
,What sheet provides an employee with information regarding the hazards of chemicals
utilized in the office and how to protect themself? ...... ANSWER ..... MSDS (Material
Safety Data Sheet)
What disinfectant should not be used as a surface disinfectant in the office and
why? ...... ANSWER ..... Glutaraldehydes, toxic effects of fumes; also corrosive
What kind of disinfectants are used in the dental office? ...... ANSWER .....
Intermediate
What are some methods of sterilization? ...... ANSWER ..... Chemical, Dry, and Steam
During chemical sterilization, how long at what degree and pressure are used? ......
ANSWER ..... 20 min @ 270 degree F @ 20-40 lbs psi
During Dry sterilization, how long at what degree are used? ...... ANSWER ..... 60-
120 min @ 320 degree F
During Steam sterilization, how long at what degree and pressure are used? ......
ANSWER ..... 20-30 min @ 250 degree F @ 15-30lb psi
What method of sterilization involves the least temperature? ...... ANSWER .....
Steam at 250 degree F
What are some considerations when using the chemical method? ...... ANSWER .....
ventilation is necessary, may damage rubber and plastic items
What are some considerations when using the dry method? ...... ANSWER .....
recommended for metal instruments, avoid paper products, may damage, rubber and
plastic items, and not recommended for handpieces.
What are some considerations when using the steam method? ...... ANSWER .....
corrodes non-stainless steel instruments, dulls instruments and burs, ok for some
plastics; cotton rolls and gauze, paper packages come out wet and tear.
What is the only way to tell if the instruments are sterilized? ...... ANSWER ..... A
weekly spore test
Does indicator tape always guarantee sterility? ...... ANSWER ..... NO, only spore test
What spore test is used with chemical sterilization? ...... ANSWER ..... Geobacillus
(formerly Bacillus) stearothermophilus
What spore test is used with dry sterilization (static air)? ...... ANSWER ..... Bacillus
atrophaeus/ subtilis
,What spore test is used with steam sterilization? ...... ANSWER ..... Geobacillus
(formerly Bacillus) Stearothermophilus
What 2 sterilization methods use the spore test Geobacillus (Bacillus)? ......
ANSWER ..... Chemical and Steam
What is another name for spore testing? ...... ANSWER ..... Biological Indicators
What should the Dental Hygienist do if there are any questions regarding the patients
medical hx? ...... ANSWER ..... Always contact the patient's physician first
What is the systolic pressure? ...... ANSWER ..... ventricles of the heart contract
sending blood into circulation
What is the diastolic pressure? ...... ANSWER ..... ventricles of the heart relax to fill
with blood returned by circulation
What is tachycardia? ...... ANSWER ..... rapid pulse rate; over 100 beats per min.
What is bradycardia? ...... ANSWER ..... slow pulse rate; below 50 beats per min.
What is the normal HR for children (1-10yrs)? ...... ANSWER ..... 70-120 beats per
min.
What is the normal HR for adults? ...... ANSWER ..... 60-100 beats per min.
What is the normal HR for infants? ...... ANSWER ..... 100-160 beats per min.
What is the normal blood pressure for adults? ...... ANSWER ..... > 120/80
What is stage 1 hypertension (mild) considered? ...... ANSWER ..... 140/90 - 159/99
What is stage 2 hypertension (moderate) considered? ...... ANSWER ..... 160/100 +
What is the normal respiration rate for a child? ...... ANSWER ..... 14-26 breaths per
min.
What is the normal respiration rate for an adult? ...... ANSWER ..... 12-20 breaths per
min.
What is the normal respiration rate for an infant? ...... ANSWER ..... 30-60 breaths
per min.
Where do we place the cuff on an adult for blood pressure? ...... ANSWER ..... over
the brachial artery
Is high blood pressure in African Americans very common? ...... ANSWER ..... YES
, When assessing a patient what are some areas we look at? ...... ANSWER ..... under
care of a physician, hospitalized in last 5 yrs, medications, smokers, pregnant, medical
hx, social hx, and chief complaint
What is an example of social hx? ...... ANSWER ..... If a patient likes to drink red
wine socially all the time (particularly for anesthesia)
What may a smokers chief complaint be, and what do we respond? ...... ANSWER .....
Whiter teeth, we respond that bleaching would work
What conditions may fall into an ASA II? ...... ANSWER ..... noninsulin-dependent
diabetes melliturs, asthma, epilepsy, stage 1 hypertension, health pregnacy
What conditions may fall into an ASA III? ...... ANSWER ..... insulin-dependent
diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, state 2 hypertension, Aids, chronic COPD
What conditions may fall into an ASA IV? ...... ANSWER ..... severe congestive heart
failure or COPD, and kidney or liver failure
During class 1(mesognathic) occlusal relationships, where are the teeth positioned for
molar to molar? ...... ANSWER ..... MB cusp of the max. 1st molar is in the buccal
groove of the mand. 1st molar
What is the canine relationship for class 1? ...... ANSWER ..... max. canine occludes
with the distal half of the mand. canine and the mesial half of the mand 1st molar
What is the molar relationship with class 2 (retrognathic) ...... ANSWER ..... buccal
groove of the mand. 1st molar is distal to MB cusp of the max 1st molar
What is the canine relationship with class 2? ...... ANSWER ..... distal portion of the
mx. canine is mesial to the mesial portion of the mand. canine
What is the molar relationship with class 3 (prognathic)? ...... ANSWER ..... buccal
groove of the mand 1st molar is mesial to the MB cusp of the max 1st molar
What is the canine relationship with class 3? ...... ANSWER ..... mesial portion of the
max. canine is distal the distal surface of the mandbular canine
What can cause class 2 occlusal relationship (retrognathic)? ...... ANSWER .....
tongue thrusters, and thumb sucking
What is a class 1 restortation? ...... ANSWER ..... Pits and fissures on lingual surfaces
of anterior and on occlussal, buccal, and lingual surfaces of posterior teeth
What is a class 2 restoration? ...... ANSWER ..... proximal surfaces of posterior teeth;
commonly involves occlusal surfaces.
HYGIENE EXAM
Prepare confidently for the NBDHE with this comprehensive study guide covering essential dental
hygiene topics, including patient care, clinical procedures, and biomedical sciences.
An ideal resource for dental hygiene students aiming to pass the national board exam."
What are some examples of bio-hazard waste? ...... ANSWER ..... Sharps, items that
drip of blood and/or saliva, and hard and soft tissues removed from patient
The bio-hazard waste or regulated true or false? ...... ANSWER ..... True
When should we change our mask? ...... ANSWER ..... When it becomes wet or soiled
with every patient. That includes your fluids as well.
What is the purpose of PPE? ...... ANSWER ..... Is to minimize the exposure to
Aerosol, Spatter, Direct transmission, and Indirect transmission (ASDI)
Do disinfectants kill spores? ...... ANSWER ..... NO
What are some types of disinfectants? ...... ANSWER ..... Chlorine-based compounds,
iodophors, phenols, quaternary compounds
What are some bad qualities of chlorine-based compounds? ...... ANSWER .....
corrosive to metals and strong odor
What are some bad qualities of phenols? ...... ANSWER ..... may leave a film or
residue on surfaces
What are some bad qualities of iodophors? ...... ANSWER ..... can discolor some
surfaces yellow
What are some bad qualities of quaternary compounds? ...... ANSWER ..... not
corrosive, but have a lower kill spectrum
What would be some good qualities of disinfectants? ...... ANSWER ..... rapid, broad
spectrum antimicrobial, bacteriocidal, fungicidal, tuberculocidal, virucidal, odorless,
easy to use, fast acting, economical, residual effect which it continues to work after it
dries, not toxic to touch or inhalation, EPA registered, and disinfects and cleans.
Is a spatter invisible to the eye? ...... ANSWER ..... NO, can see it when airborne
Is aerosol invisible to the eye? ...... ANSWER ..... yes, remain in the air for a while
,What sheet provides an employee with information regarding the hazards of chemicals
utilized in the office and how to protect themself? ...... ANSWER ..... MSDS (Material
Safety Data Sheet)
What disinfectant should not be used as a surface disinfectant in the office and
why? ...... ANSWER ..... Glutaraldehydes, toxic effects of fumes; also corrosive
What kind of disinfectants are used in the dental office? ...... ANSWER .....
Intermediate
What are some methods of sterilization? ...... ANSWER ..... Chemical, Dry, and Steam
During chemical sterilization, how long at what degree and pressure are used? ......
ANSWER ..... 20 min @ 270 degree F @ 20-40 lbs psi
During Dry sterilization, how long at what degree are used? ...... ANSWER ..... 60-
120 min @ 320 degree F
During Steam sterilization, how long at what degree and pressure are used? ......
ANSWER ..... 20-30 min @ 250 degree F @ 15-30lb psi
What method of sterilization involves the least temperature? ...... ANSWER .....
Steam at 250 degree F
What are some considerations when using the chemical method? ...... ANSWER .....
ventilation is necessary, may damage rubber and plastic items
What are some considerations when using the dry method? ...... ANSWER .....
recommended for metal instruments, avoid paper products, may damage, rubber and
plastic items, and not recommended for handpieces.
What are some considerations when using the steam method? ...... ANSWER .....
corrodes non-stainless steel instruments, dulls instruments and burs, ok for some
plastics; cotton rolls and gauze, paper packages come out wet and tear.
What is the only way to tell if the instruments are sterilized? ...... ANSWER ..... A
weekly spore test
Does indicator tape always guarantee sterility? ...... ANSWER ..... NO, only spore test
What spore test is used with chemical sterilization? ...... ANSWER ..... Geobacillus
(formerly Bacillus) stearothermophilus
What spore test is used with dry sterilization (static air)? ...... ANSWER ..... Bacillus
atrophaeus/ subtilis
,What spore test is used with steam sterilization? ...... ANSWER ..... Geobacillus
(formerly Bacillus) Stearothermophilus
What 2 sterilization methods use the spore test Geobacillus (Bacillus)? ......
ANSWER ..... Chemical and Steam
What is another name for spore testing? ...... ANSWER ..... Biological Indicators
What should the Dental Hygienist do if there are any questions regarding the patients
medical hx? ...... ANSWER ..... Always contact the patient's physician first
What is the systolic pressure? ...... ANSWER ..... ventricles of the heart contract
sending blood into circulation
What is the diastolic pressure? ...... ANSWER ..... ventricles of the heart relax to fill
with blood returned by circulation
What is tachycardia? ...... ANSWER ..... rapid pulse rate; over 100 beats per min.
What is bradycardia? ...... ANSWER ..... slow pulse rate; below 50 beats per min.
What is the normal HR for children (1-10yrs)? ...... ANSWER ..... 70-120 beats per
min.
What is the normal HR for adults? ...... ANSWER ..... 60-100 beats per min.
What is the normal HR for infants? ...... ANSWER ..... 100-160 beats per min.
What is the normal blood pressure for adults? ...... ANSWER ..... > 120/80
What is stage 1 hypertension (mild) considered? ...... ANSWER ..... 140/90 - 159/99
What is stage 2 hypertension (moderate) considered? ...... ANSWER ..... 160/100 +
What is the normal respiration rate for a child? ...... ANSWER ..... 14-26 breaths per
min.
What is the normal respiration rate for an adult? ...... ANSWER ..... 12-20 breaths per
min.
What is the normal respiration rate for an infant? ...... ANSWER ..... 30-60 breaths
per min.
Where do we place the cuff on an adult for blood pressure? ...... ANSWER ..... over
the brachial artery
Is high blood pressure in African Americans very common? ...... ANSWER ..... YES
, When assessing a patient what are some areas we look at? ...... ANSWER ..... under
care of a physician, hospitalized in last 5 yrs, medications, smokers, pregnant, medical
hx, social hx, and chief complaint
What is an example of social hx? ...... ANSWER ..... If a patient likes to drink red
wine socially all the time (particularly for anesthesia)
What may a smokers chief complaint be, and what do we respond? ...... ANSWER .....
Whiter teeth, we respond that bleaching would work
What conditions may fall into an ASA II? ...... ANSWER ..... noninsulin-dependent
diabetes melliturs, asthma, epilepsy, stage 1 hypertension, health pregnacy
What conditions may fall into an ASA III? ...... ANSWER ..... insulin-dependent
diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, state 2 hypertension, Aids, chronic COPD
What conditions may fall into an ASA IV? ...... ANSWER ..... severe congestive heart
failure or COPD, and kidney or liver failure
During class 1(mesognathic) occlusal relationships, where are the teeth positioned for
molar to molar? ...... ANSWER ..... MB cusp of the max. 1st molar is in the buccal
groove of the mand. 1st molar
What is the canine relationship for class 1? ...... ANSWER ..... max. canine occludes
with the distal half of the mand. canine and the mesial half of the mand 1st molar
What is the molar relationship with class 2 (retrognathic) ...... ANSWER ..... buccal
groove of the mand. 1st molar is distal to MB cusp of the max 1st molar
What is the canine relationship with class 2? ...... ANSWER ..... distal portion of the
mx. canine is mesial to the mesial portion of the mand. canine
What is the molar relationship with class 3 (prognathic)? ...... ANSWER ..... buccal
groove of the mand 1st molar is mesial to the MB cusp of the max 1st molar
What is the canine relationship with class 3? ...... ANSWER ..... mesial portion of the
max. canine is distal the distal surface of the mandbular canine
What can cause class 2 occlusal relationship (retrognathic)? ...... ANSWER .....
tongue thrusters, and thumb sucking
What is a class 1 restortation? ...... ANSWER ..... Pits and fissures on lingual surfaces
of anterior and on occlussal, buccal, and lingual surfaces of posterior teeth
What is a class 2 restoration? ...... ANSWER ..... proximal surfaces of posterior teeth;
commonly involves occlusal surfaces.
