Chapter 25 Wilkins: Protocols for Prevention and Control of Dental Caries

Which of the following is not true of dental caries?

a) Caries is an infectious disease.

b) Caries is a transmissible disease.

c) Caries is an eradicated disease.

d) Caries is a preventable disease.

c

Which of the following bacteria are the infectious organisms that colonize the teeth, help to form dental biofilm, and are responsible for the dental caries process?

a) Bacteroides forsythus

b) Streptococcus mutans

c) Prevotella intermedia

d) Eubacterium nodatum

e) Streptococcus intermedius complex

b

Which of the following is not a fermentable carbohydrate?

a) Xylitol

b) Sucrose

c) Fructose

d) Cooked starch

e) Glucose

a

All of the following acids are produced as byproducts during metabolic processes, except:

a) acetic acid.

b) lactic acid.

c) formic acid.

d) phosphoric acid.

e) propionic acid.

d

Saliva has many protective functions in the oral cavity. Which of the following is the most important protective property of saliva in the caries process?

a) Buffering of acids

b) Aid in digestion

c) Aid in speech

d) Carrier of antibodies

a

Which of the following actions of fluoride is not associated with the prevention of caries?

a) It inhibits demineralization.

b) It passes through diffusion channels to increase acid levels.

c) It enhances remineralization.

d) It inhibits bacteria in the biofilm.

e) It interferes with enzyme activity in bacteria.

b

Remineralizing tooth surfaces should not be scratched or altered in any way. Which of the following techniques would be the most acceptable way to detect coronal caries on a demineralized surface?

a) Panorex radiograph

b) Sharp explorer

c) Irrigating syringe

d) Curing light

e) Blunt probe

e

Which of the following radiographs is the best choice to detect caries on proximal tooth surfaces?

a) Periapical radiograph

b) Occlusal radiograph

c) Panorex radiograph

d) Bitewing radiograph

e) Cephalometric radiograph

d

Your patient presents with a definitive carious lesion diagnosed by the dentist. What is the treatment plan for a cavitated carious lesion?

a) Take a "wait and see" approach.

b) Send the patient for a second opinion.

c) Expose a radiograph just to be sure.

d) Wait until symptoms develop before treatment.

e) Appoint for a restoration.

e

The reduction in caries in the United States since 1945 has been attributed to the fluoridation of the water supplies in certain communities. Which of the following is the percentage reduction in caries found?

a) 10%

b) 30%

c) 40%

d) 70%

e) 80%

c

A habit, behavior, lifestyle, or condition that when present increases the probability of a disease occurring is a term often used in medical research. Which of the following best fits this definition?

a) Risk factor

b) Common factor

c) Likely factor

d) Arbitrary factor

a

An individual can be in the "high-risk" or "low-risk" category for development of dental caries. All of the following factors are low-risk factors in the development of dental caries for adults except one. Which one of the following factors is not low risk?

a) Normal salivary flow

b) Uses xylitol gum

c) Sealants in pits and fissures

d) Poor manual dexterity

e) Regularly scheduled dental visits

d

Which of the following is not a factor in contributing to demineralization?

a) Acidogenic bacteria

b) Fermentable carbohydrates

c) Salivary calcium

d) Xerostomia

c

A) The fluorapatite bond is stronger than the hydroxyapatite bond. B) In the biofilm, the HF diffuses through the cell membrane of acidogenic bacteria.

a. Statement A is true and statement B is false.

b. Statement A is false and statement B is true.

c. Both statements are true.

d. Both statements are false.

c

Which of the following is a moderate risk factor for dental caries?

a) No or few medications

b) Multiple restorations

c) Dentally aware

d) Uses xylitol gum between meals

b

Bitewing radiographs should be recommended every __________ for the moderate-risk patient?

a) 6 months

b) 6 to 18 months

c) 18 to 24 months

d) 24 to 36 months

c

A) Sealants are recommended for patients with low risk factors. B) Properly placed sealants close off the pits and fissures where microorganisms can live.

a. Statement A is true and statement B is false.

b. Statement A is false and statement B is true.

c. Both statements are true.

d. Both statements are false.

b

A) The Cariogram is a visual representation of the interaction of caries with various etiologic factors to predict future risk. B) The Cariogram is one of two systems with data showing validity at this time.

a. Statement A is true and statement B is false.

b. Statement A is false and statement B is true.

c. Both statements are true.

d. Both statements are false.

a

What does the "M" in CAMBRA stand for?

a) Mean

b) Management

c) Moderate

d) None of these are correct.

b

You have been hired as a dental hygienist at the Health Department dental clinic in your county. The patient population in this facility is predominately low income. There is no community water fluoridation in the area. Most of your patients do not follow a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise. You have been asked by your employer to develop a caries management strategy that covers all of the patients' needs. Which of the following is not an objective for this caries management strategy?

a) Determine restorative treatment needs.

b) Define steps for remineralization program.

c) Determine areas that require remineralization.

d) Determine the patients' financial situation.

d

You have been hired as a dental hygienist at the Health Department dental clinic in your county. The patient population in this facility is predominately low income. There is no community water fluoridation in the area. Most of your patients do not follow a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise. You have been asked by your employer to develop a caries management strategy that covers all of the patients' needs. Your employer has decided to send the caries risk "Oral Health Check Sheet" to his patients and ask that they fill it out and bring it to their next appointment. This checkoff sheet lists 10 questions associated with a patient's caries risk. Is this a good choice by your employer, why or why not?

a) No. Most patients will learn very little about their problem if merely given a checklist to fill out.

b) Yes. This will be convenient for patients to complete at home and bring in.

c) No. The form may get lost in the mail.

d) Yes. This will save the dental hygienist time wasted talking to the patient.

e) No. This will cost the dentist too much money in stamps.

b

You have been hired as a dental hygienist at the Health Department dental clinic in your county. The patient population in this facility is predominately low income. There is no community water fluoridation in the area. Most of your patients do not follow a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise. You have been asked by your employer to develop a caries management strategy that covers all of the patients' needs. When a patient presents with no dental caries, which of the following treatment options would not be recommended?

a) Provide the patient with positive care and education so that dental health will be maintained.

b) Review the factors with the patient that put him or her in the "low-risk" category.

c) Be glad that the patient is caries free and leave well enough alone.

d) Evaluate and supervise plaque control measures at routine maintenance appointments.

c