Question Breakdown
of the National Board Exam!

8:00 - 8:15 - Registration
8:15 - 8:30 - Instructions
8:30 - 12:00 - AM portion - 200 Multiple choice questions
12:00 - 1:00 - Lunch Break
1:00 - 5:00 - PM portion - 150 Multiple Choice questions over 15 case studies

• I. Scientific Basis for Dental Hygiene Practice (60 Questions)
  • A. Anatomic Sciences (17)
    • 1. Anatomy (12)
      • a. Head and neck anatomy (6)
      • b. Dental anatomy (including morphology, eruption times, occlusion) (6)
        • 1. General anatomy (3)
        • 2. Root anatomy (5)
    • 2. Histology and embryology (5)
  • B. Physiology (5)
  • C. Biochemistry and Nutrition (including nutritional deficiencies) (6)
  • D. Microbiology and Immunology (10)
  • E. Pathology (12)
    • 1. General (including inflammation and repair, and neoplasia) (5)
    • 2. Oral (7)
  • F. Pharmacology (10)

   

• II. Provision of Clinical Dental Hygiene Services (120 Questions)
  • A. Assesing Patient Characteristics (23)
    • 1. Medical and dental history (including vital signs and behavioral factors) (5)
    • 2. Head and neck examination (including technique, and normal and abnormal findings) ( 4)
    • 3. Periodontal evaluation (including deposits and stains) (9)
    • 4. Oral evaluation (3)
    • 5. Occlusal evaluation (1)
    • 6. Clincal testing (e.g. thermal vitalometer, percussion) (1)
  • B. Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs (19)
    • 1. Principles of radiophysics and radiobiology (4)
    • 2. Principles of radiologic health (including radiation protection and measurement) (5)
    • 3. Technique (including evaluation of quality of radiographs)
    • 4. Recognition of normalities and abnormalities (5)
  • C. Planning and Managing Dental Hygiene Care (30)
    • 1. Infection Control (application) (6)
    • 2. Recognition of ermergency situatios and provision of appropriate care (5)
    • 3. Individualized patient education (13)
      • a. Planning of individualized instruction (3)
      • b. Provision of instruction for prevention and management of oral diseases (10)
        • 1. Dental caries (including dietary counseling (2)
        • 2. Periodontal diseases (including plaque control) (4)
        • 3. Oral conditions (including oral cancer, oral habits, tobacco cessation, implants, dental appliances) (4)
  • D. Performing Periodontal Procedures (27)
    • 1. Etiology and pathogensis of periodontal disease (7)
    • 2. Prescribed therapy (including adjunct therapies, instruments and instrumentation) (15)
      • a. Periodontal debridement (11)
      • b. Surgical support services (e.g. removing sutures and placing and removing surgical dressings) (2)
      • c. Tooth desensitization (2)
    • 3. Reassessment and maintenance (e.g. implant care) (5)
  • E. Using Preventive Agents (12)
    • 1. Fluorides -- systemic and topical (7)
      • a. Mechanisms of action (2)
      • b. Toxicology (2)
      • c. Methods of administration (3)
        • 1. Water fluroidation (1)
        • 2. Professional administered (1)
        • 3. Self-administered (including tablets, dentrifices, rinses) (1)
    • 2. Pit and fissure sealants (4)
      • a. Mechanisms of action (2)
      • b. Techniques for application (2)
    • 3. Other preventive agents (1)
  • F. Providing Supportive Treatment Services (9)
  • 1. Properties and manipulation of materials (3)
  • 2. Polishing natural and restored teeth (2)
  • 3. Making of impressions and preparation of study casts (2)
  • 4. Other supportive services (including placement and removal of temporary restorations, rubber dams, and matrices) (2)

   

• III. Community Health/Research Principles (20 Questions)
  • A. Promoting Health and Preventing Disease Within Groups (including media and communcation resources) (4)
  • B. Participating in Community Programs (8)
    • 1. Assessing populations and defining objectives (5)
    • 2. Designing, implementing, and evaluating programs (5)
  • C. Analyzing Scientific Literature, Understanding Statistical Concepts, and Applying Research Results (8)