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)
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