Dental Hygiene Theory and Practice 4th edition By Michele Leonardi Darby-Test Bank

Chapter 01: The Dental Hygiene Profession

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. What is the discipline of dental hygiene?

ANS:  C

The study of teeth and their supporting structures. This answer is wrong because the discipline of dental hygiene covers much more information than the study of teeth and supporting structures. Dental hygiene focuses on the preventive measures that the teeth and supporting structures must receive, in addition to other oral healthcare steps that must be taken to promote one’s health.

Brushing and flossing one’s teeth and rinsing with an antimicrobial mouth rinse twice a day, morning and night. This answer is wrong because this statement describes only one procedure within the discipline of dental hygiene. Dental hygiene is a much larger and general field of study than this simple preventive action.

The study of preventive oral healthcare including the management of behavior to prevent oral disease and promote health. This answer is correct because this is the direct definition of dental hygiene. The definition can be broken down into smaller, specified divisions to further develop the discipline of dental hygiene.

The study of those procedures that dental hygienists provide to clients. This answer is wrong because dental hygienists play many interrelated roles, such as clinician, educator, administrator or manager, advocate, and researcher. Although each of these roles is created to assist in dental hygiene, the discipline is not centered on the actions and procedures of the dental hygienist.

REF:   What is Dental Hygiene? | 1

2. Who is the professional dental hygienist?

ANS:  A

A licensed preventive oral health professional who has graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation, accredited, entry level dental hygiene program. This answer is correct because to be eligible as a professional dental hygienist, the person must have graduated from an accredited dental hygiene program.

A licensed person who has learned on the job via a preceptorship program, such as the Alabama Dental Hygienists Program. This answer is wrong because a dental hygienist cannot learn on the job to become a professional. Rather, they must pass written examinations and graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program.

A dentist who has graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation, accredited, dental school program. This answer is wrong because a dentist has a higher degree than a dental hygienist and therefore, generally, works above a dental hygienist. It is not necessary for a dental hygienist to receive an education from a dental school.

A person who has graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation, accredited, dental assisting program. This answer is wrong because a person graduating from an accredited dental assisting program would only be licensed as a dental assistant.

REF:   Who Is the Dental Hygienist? | 1

3. All of these services are provided by the majority of dental hygienists in the clinical setting except one. Which one is the exception?

ANS:  D

Perform periodontal maintenance care. This is a service provided in the clinical setting. The clinical setting allows for application of preventive and therapeutic agents related to periodontal disease. For example: subgingival sustained-release delivery systems containing chlorhexidine.

Implement interventions to direct a person back to oral wellness. This is a service provided in the clinical setting. The main goal of a dental hygienist is to prevent oral disease and promote health. Therefore, if the state of an individual’s oral health changes, the dental hygienist (within the scope of the clinical setting) can provide some degree of intervention to direct the individual back to oral wellness.

Provide fluoride varnish treatment. This is a service provided in the clinical setting. The clinical setting allows for application of preventive and therapeutic agents related to dental caries. Fluoride varnish treatments prolong fluoride exposure on the tooth surface for safe and effective caries control.

Place and remove restorations. This service is not provided by the majority of dental hygienists in the clinical setting. Only a few dental hygienists have the certification to place restorations, while many others do not. Also, the removal of restorations is not a given action of a dental hygienist in the clinical setting.

REF:   Clinician | 3

4. Which of the following is a key behavior within the dental hygiene process of care?

ANS:  B

Observation. This answer is wrong because dental hygienists must go further than simply observing the client. The hygienist must assess the client by thoroughly collecting data.

Diagnosis. This answer is correct because identifying the diagnosis is the focal point for establishing goals in the dental hygiene care plan. The client’s dental hygiene needs are determined so that specific interventions can be implemented.

Communication skills. This answer is wrong because the communication skills are not a key behavior and are not necessary to complete the dental hygiene process.

Client care. This answer is wrong because client care is not one of the steps in dental hygiene care. However, proper client care is the goal being achieved through the key behaviors.

REF:   What Is the Dental Hygiene Process of Care? | 1

5. Which of the following is not an environmental factor that the dental hygienist takes into account in the Human Needs Model?

ANS:  D

Age. This answer is an environmental factor that must be taken into account because age plays a large role in the development of an individual’s oral health.

Attitudes. This answer is an environmental factor that must be taken into account because it can have an effect on the dental hygiene process.

Lifestyles. This answer is an environmental factor that must be taken into account because an individual’s oral health can be affected by lifestyle choices.

Weight. This answer is not an environmental factor that must be taken into account because an individual’s weight does not affect their oral health. The diet choices that go along with a person’s particular weight may affect oral health, but the overall weight of an individual does not.

REF:   What Is the Dental Hygiene Process of Care? | 1

6. Which of the following is not one of the seven roles of a dental hygienist?

ANS:  C

The seven roles of a dental hygienist are clinician, public health, researcher, educator,

administrator, and entrepreneur.

REF:   Chapter One, Table 1-1 Seven Roles of the Dental Hygienist | 4