Question 1

Your patient is a 6?7'5?8" male who teaches high school.He is having difficulty flossing between the first and second molars.He states that his hands are "too big" to reach these areas.You find the area has a moderate amount of interproximal plaque with spontaneous bleeding but the papilla fills in the embrasure space.The patient is on a tight budget.Which of the following devices would you recommend he use to help reach the problem areas?

Accepted Answer

A floss holder with floss would help the patient reach difficult areas due to his large hands, and it is a cost-effective solution.

Question 2

Which statement best describes the oral health outcomes from irrigation?

Accepted Answer

Oral irrigation has been shown to reduce bleeding and gingivitis better than toothbrushing alone. However, it has not been demonstrated to provide significant benefits for reducing caries or removing stains.

Question 3

Many patients are unable to floss at a level that benefits oral health because flossing requires a high level of manual dexterity.

Accepted Answer

The statement correctly identifies the issue that many patients have difficulty with flossing due to lack of dexterity. The reason provides an explanation for why this is the case, stating that flossing requires a high level of manual dexterity. The two are related, as the reason explains the statement.

Question 4

You recently started working for a periodontist who has asked you to provide postoperative instructions to a patient.The dentist asks you to include brushing instructions.Which of the following brushing methods would you recommend to this patient?

Accepted Answer

The answer of You recently started working for a periodontist...

Question 5

Your patient complains of having halitosis even though she is using interproximal aids and an electric toothbrush correctly.All of the following would be appropriate suggestions to reduce this condition EXCEPT one.Which one is the EXCEPTION?

Accepted Answer

Mints may temporarily freshen breath but they do not address the underlying cause of halitosis. Oral rinse, tongue cleaner, and oral irrigator are more effective at reducing bacterial growth and eliminating odorous compounds in the mouth.

Question 6

Your patient purchased the electric toothbrush you recommended the last time she came in for a recall appointment.On examination you notice she has even more plaque and calculus buildup.Why would the patient have more biofilm on her teeth since her last appointment?

Accepted Answer

The patient likely has more plaque and calculus buildup because she is not using the electric toothbrush according to the manufacturer's instructions, which may include proper technique and duration.

Question 7

On review of a new patient's medical history you learn that he has type 2 diabetes mellitus.You are aware that patients with this condition are at high risk for periodontal disease.As you perform your assessment you notice severe gingivitis and heavy plaque biofilm.The patient makes the statement that he hates to floss.Based on the patient's preferences,which option would you NOT recommend?

Accepted Answer

Given the patient's dislike for flossing, recommending dental floss would not align with their preferences, making it the least suitable option among those listed.

Question 8

An elderly patient reports that she does not have the manual dexterity to guide floss and a floss threader under her bridge to remove food debris and biofilm.What other method would you recommend to keep the areas under her bridge free of debris and biofilm?

Accepted Answer

An oral irrigator can effectively remove debris and biofilm from areas that are difficult to reach with a toothbrush or floss. It is also a good option for patients who have limited dexterity or difficulty using traditional dental tools. This method can be easily incorporated into the patient's daily oral hygiene routine.

Question 9

For floss to be effective the patient needs to have less than 4-mm pockets.Which device is recommended for pockets that are 5-mm or above?

Accepted Answer

Oral irrigator is recommended for pockets that are 5-mm or above as it can reach deeper into the pocket and remove debris and bacteria effectively compared to floss or other devices.

Question 10

Which option describes the action of an oral irrigator?

Accepted Answer

An oral irrigator works by using a combination of pulsation and pressure to help remove food particles and debris from between teeth and along the gumline. Oscillation and rotation are movements associated with electric toothbrushes, while sonic movement and vibration are associated with sonic toothbrushes.

Question 11

Rotatory toothbrushes are better versus sonic toothbrushes or manual toothbrushes.Given that the scientific evidence does not dictate one type of toothbrush over another,in the practice setting clinical judgment and patient values are equal determining factors in the type of brush that is recommended.

Accepted Answer

The first statement is false because scientific evidence does not show that rotary toothbrushes are definitively better than sonic or manual toothbrushes. The second statement is true because, in the absence of clear scientific guidance, clinical judgment and patient preferences play crucial roles in deciding the type of toothbrush recommended.

Question 12

A recommended toothbrush design for an elderly female patient with arthritis in both hands and type 2 diabetes would include all of the following features EXCEPT one.Which one is the EXCEPTION?

Accepted Answer

Stiff, short bristles may cause gum irritation or damage, especially for an elderly female patient with diabetes who may have gum disease. Therefore, soft bristles are recommended to prevent any potential harm. The other features are beneficial for an elderly female patient with arthritis in both hands and type 2 diabetes. A large handle would make grasping easier, bristles with rounded ends would be gentle on the gums, and a small head size allows for better access to hard-to-reach areas.

Question 13

Which of the following brushing techniques would you recommend to a patient who has generalized recession with loss of interdental papilla?

Accepted Answer

Modified Stillman is the brushing technique recommended for patients with generalized recession and loss of interdental papilla. This technique focuses on both the tooth surface and the gumline, using a circular motion with the brush tilted at a 45-degree angle towards the gumline. It also incorporates a sweeping movement to clean the interdental areas. This technique helps to stimulate gum tissue and promote the growth of interdental papilla.

Question 14

What criteria would you use to assess whether a patient is a good candidate for an interdental brush?

Accepted Answer

Embrasure size is the most important criteria for determining if a patient is a good candidate for an interdental brush. An interdental brush is designed to clean areas between teeth where there is enough space, so if the teeth are too tightly spaced, the brush may not fit or may cause injury to the gum tissue. Therefore, first, we need to measure the embrasure size before recommending interdental brushes. The other criteria such as root configuration, tooth shape, and occlusion may be important in other aspects of dental care but are not the main criteria for selecting an interdental brush.

Question 15

The longer the piece of floss used between the index finger and thumb,the easier it is for patients to floss.Forming a "C" shape with the floss and using a sawing motion improves plaque removal.

Accepted Answer

Both statements are true. Using a longer piece of floss allows for better control and the ability to use a clean section of floss for each tooth. Forming a "C" shape with the floss and using a sawing motion is a recommended technique for effective plaque removal.

Question 16

The oral irrigator is one of the most evaluated self-care devices with a well-established body of evidence.Consistent reductions for bleeding and gingivitis are not well-established.

Accepted Answer

The first statement is true because the oral irrigator has been extensively evaluated and there is a good body of evidence on its effectiveness. The second statement is false because while there is some evidence that the oral irrigator can reduce bleeding and gingivitis, the reductions are not consistent across all studies.

Question 17

All brands of manual toothbrushes are essentially the same.The main disadvantage of the manual brush is that efficacy is dependent upon the ability and technique of the user.

Accepted Answer

The first statement is false because manual toothbrushes can vary significantly in design, bristle type, and ergonomics, which can affect their effectiveness. The second statement is true because the effectiveness of manual toothbrushes greatly depends on the user's brushing technique and diligence.

Question 18

A class III embrasure space is described as the interdental papilla being completely gone.Which device is most appropriate to recommend to a patient with this type of embrasure to keep the area clean?

Accepted Answer

An interdental brush is most appropriate for a class III embrasure space because it can effectively clean large spaces where the interdental papilla is completely missing.

Question 19

Which statement BEST describes the advantages of a woodstick?

Accepted Answer

A woodstick is easy to use, portable, and disposable which makes it advantageous for oral hygiene practices.

Question 20

When making recommendations for self-care devices the dental hygienist should consider all of the following EXCEPT one.Which one is the EXCEPTION?

Accepted Answer

The patient's nationality is not relevant when considering self-care device recommendations. The other factors listed (past self-care practices, oral anatomy, and embrasure size, and manual dexterity) are important considerations for selecting appropriate self-care devices.

Quiz 19: Devices