Mosby's Dental Hygiene Board Exam Questions 2026/2027
| NBDHE Practice Test | Correct Answers
1. What is the primary reason for hand washing after removing gloves in a dental
setting?
To prevent the spread of dental materials.
To remove any contaminants that may have come into contact with
the skin.
To maintain the integrity of the gloves.
To ensure gloves are properly disposed of.
2. Describe the role of chlorhexidine in managing high caries activity and its
effect on Streptococcus mutans.
Chlorhexidine helps reduce the levels of Streptococcus mutans,
thereby decreasing the risk of further decay.
Chlorhexidine increases sugar levels in the mouth, promoting decay.
Chlorhexidine is used primarily for whitening teeth.
Chlorhexidine has no effect on oral bacteria.
3. A good preventive and treatment strategy for dental caries would include
_____.
Limiting cariogenic substrate
Controlling cariogenic flora
Elevating host resistance
All of the above
,4. If a dental hygienist is treating a patient with severe arthritis, which
combination of adaptations would be most effective for improving the
patient's oral care routine?
Using only mouthwash for oral care.
Using bicycle grips and soft rubber balls on toothbrushes and
flossers.
Advising the patient to skip oral care due to discomfort.
Recommending standard toothbrushes without adaptations.
5. If a dental office fails to perform biologic monitoring tests regularly, what
potential risk could arise for patients?
Increased risk of infection due to ineffective sterilization.
Longer wait times for appointments.
Higher costs for dental procedures.
Improved patient satisfaction.
6. Radiation to the head and neck region may leave the patient susceptible to
all of the following EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?
Radiation caries
Candidiasis
Osteoradionecrosis
Xerostomia
7. If a dental hygienist encounters a patient who is a heavy tobacco user, what
should be the next step after assessing their tobacco use history?
Advise them to quit cold turkey without support.
, Ignore the tobacco use and focus on other dental issues.
Develop a personalized cessation plan based on the assessment.
Immediately refer them to a surgeon.
8. In individuals with down syndrome, conditions that may require special care
include all of the following except one. which is the exception?
periodontal disease
malocclusion
dens in dente
congenitally missing teeth
fissured tongue
9. What is the recommended position for a patient in the dental chair during an
epileptic seizure?
Prone position
Supine position with the chair reclined
Sitting position with head tilted forward
Upright position
10. The most accurate method for verifying autoclave sterilization performance
is:
Use of biological indicators
Use of autoclave tapes or strips
Cross-checking the pressure gauge
Monitoring patients for cross-infections
, 11. What is the primary goal of the CAMBRA protocol in dental hygiene?
Root canal treatment
Enamel remineralization
Gum surgery
Tooth extraction
12. In a dental clinic, if autoclave tape shows no color change after a
sterilization cycle, what should the dental hygienist do next?
Dispose of the instruments and order new ones.
Assume the instruments are sterile and use them immediately.
Use the instruments without further checks, as the tape is not critical.
Investigate the sterilization process for potential errors and re-
sterilize the instruments.
13. Uncontrolled diabetes places the dental patient at risk for which
opportunistic oral infection?
Candidiasis
Herpetic lesions
Leukoplakia
Periodontal abscess
14. ______________________ precautions are a set of infection control precautions that,
when used consistently, ensure the safe delivery of oral healthcare.
Dental Hygiene
Universal
| NBDHE Practice Test | Correct Answers
1. What is the primary reason for hand washing after removing gloves in a dental
setting?
To prevent the spread of dental materials.
To remove any contaminants that may have come into contact with
the skin.
To maintain the integrity of the gloves.
To ensure gloves are properly disposed of.
2. Describe the role of chlorhexidine in managing high caries activity and its
effect on Streptococcus mutans.
Chlorhexidine helps reduce the levels of Streptococcus mutans,
thereby decreasing the risk of further decay.
Chlorhexidine increases sugar levels in the mouth, promoting decay.
Chlorhexidine is used primarily for whitening teeth.
Chlorhexidine has no effect on oral bacteria.
3. A good preventive and treatment strategy for dental caries would include
_____.
Limiting cariogenic substrate
Controlling cariogenic flora
Elevating host resistance
All of the above
,4. If a dental hygienist is treating a patient with severe arthritis, which
combination of adaptations would be most effective for improving the
patient's oral care routine?
Using only mouthwash for oral care.
Using bicycle grips and soft rubber balls on toothbrushes and
flossers.
Advising the patient to skip oral care due to discomfort.
Recommending standard toothbrushes without adaptations.
5. If a dental office fails to perform biologic monitoring tests regularly, what
potential risk could arise for patients?
Increased risk of infection due to ineffective sterilization.
Longer wait times for appointments.
Higher costs for dental procedures.
Improved patient satisfaction.
6. Radiation to the head and neck region may leave the patient susceptible to
all of the following EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?
Radiation caries
Candidiasis
Osteoradionecrosis
Xerostomia
7. If a dental hygienist encounters a patient who is a heavy tobacco user, what
should be the next step after assessing their tobacco use history?
Advise them to quit cold turkey without support.
, Ignore the tobacco use and focus on other dental issues.
Develop a personalized cessation plan based on the assessment.
Immediately refer them to a surgeon.
8. In individuals with down syndrome, conditions that may require special care
include all of the following except one. which is the exception?
periodontal disease
malocclusion
dens in dente
congenitally missing teeth
fissured tongue
9. What is the recommended position for a patient in the dental chair during an
epileptic seizure?
Prone position
Supine position with the chair reclined
Sitting position with head tilted forward
Upright position
10. The most accurate method for verifying autoclave sterilization performance
is:
Use of biological indicators
Use of autoclave tapes or strips
Cross-checking the pressure gauge
Monitoring patients for cross-infections
, 11. What is the primary goal of the CAMBRA protocol in dental hygiene?
Root canal treatment
Enamel remineralization
Gum surgery
Tooth extraction
12. In a dental clinic, if autoclave tape shows no color change after a
sterilization cycle, what should the dental hygienist do next?
Dispose of the instruments and order new ones.
Assume the instruments are sterile and use them immediately.
Use the instruments without further checks, as the tape is not critical.
Investigate the sterilization process for potential errors and re-
sterilize the instruments.
13. Uncontrolled diabetes places the dental patient at risk for which
opportunistic oral infection?
Candidiasis
Herpetic lesions
Leukoplakia
Periodontal abscess
14. ______________________ precautions are a set of infection control precautions that,
when used consistently, ensure the safe delivery of oral healthcare.
Dental Hygiene
Universal
