TheoryNEBDN Dental Nurse Practice Questions
Free NEBDN Dental Nurse practice questions with answers and plain-English explanations. Browse the PDF, video and online mock test.
NEBDN Dental Nurse Questions
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Q1Referring to the image provided, which structure forms the outermost protective layer of the tooth crown?
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✓ Correct answer: Enamel
Enamel is the highly mineralised surface of the crown, providing resistance against mechanical and chemical damage. Why the other options are incorrect: • Dentine: Dentine lies beneath enamel and is not the outermost surface. • Pulp chamber: The pulp chamber is a deep internal compartment. • Cementum: Cementum coats the root, not the crown. • Periodontal ligament: The periodontal ligament suspends the tooth within its bony socket.
Q2A patient presents with redness and swelling of the tissue that closely encircles the teeth inside the mouth. Which structure is most likely inflamed?
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✓ Correct answer: Gingiva
The gingiva, commonly called the gums, directly surrounds the teeth and is the tissue most frequently affected by inflammatory conditions such as gingivitis. Why the other options are incorrect: • Hard palate: The hard palate constitutes the bony front section of the roof of the mouth and does not encircle the teeth. • Tongue: The tongue is a muscular organ involved in taste and speech, and it does not surround the teeth. • Buccal mucosa: The buccal mucosa covers the inner surface of the cheeks rather than encircling the teeth. • Soft palate: The soft palate lies at the rear of the oral cavity roof and plays no role in surrounding the teeth.
Q3A dental nurse is asked to polish the cheek-facing surfaces of the upper molar teeth. Which surfaces does this instruction refer to?
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✓ Correct answer: Buccal surfaces
Buccal surfaces are those that face the cheeks on posterior teeth. Why the other options are incorrect: • Lingual surfaces: Lingual surfaces are directed toward the tongue rather than the cheeks. • Palatal surfaces: Palatal surfaces are specific to upper teeth and face the hard palate, not the cheeks. • Mesial surfaces: Mesial surfaces face toward the midline of the dental arch. • Distal surfaces: Distal surfaces face away from the midline of the dental arch.
Q4Which of the following most accurately describes the mesial surface of a tooth?
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✓ Correct answer: The surface nearest to the dental midline
The mesial surface is the side of a tooth that faces toward the midline of the dental arch. Why the other options are incorrect: • The surface oriented toward the cheek: The surface facing the cheek is called the buccal surface. • The surface oriented toward the tongue: The surface facing the tongue is called the lingual surface. • The surface farthest from the dental midline: The surface farthest from the midline is called the distal surface. • The biting or chewing surface: The biting or chewing surface is called the occlusal surface.
Q5When charting the upper right first molar using the FDI two-digit system, which number should the dental nurse record?
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✓ Correct answer: 16
Under the FDI system, quadrant 1 denotes the upper right, and the first molar occupies position 6, making this tooth number 16. Why the other options are incorrect: • 26: 26 identifies the first molar in the upper left quadrant (quadrant 2). • 36: 36 identifies the first molar in the lower left quadrant (quadrant 3). • 46: 46 identifies the first molar in the lower right quadrant (quadrant 4). • 15: 15 designates the second premolar in the upper right quadrant.
Q6Looking at the image provided, which structure houses the tooth's blood vessels and nerve supply?
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✓ Correct answer: Pulp chamber
The pulp chamber is the hollow core of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels that maintain tooth vitality. Why the other options are incorrect: • Enamel: Enamel is a non-vital, avascular mineralised tissue. • Dentine: Dentine can transmit stimuli through tubules but does not house the main nerve and blood supply. • Cementum: Cementum is a thin calcified covering on the root surface. • Gingiva: The gingiva is the soft mucosal tissue encircling the tooth at the gum line.
Q7Gum recession has left part of a patient's root exposed. Which tissue normally coats the root surface?
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✓ Correct answer: Cementum
Cementum is the calcified layer covering the root and provides attachment sites for the periodontal ligament. Why the other options are incorrect: • Enamel: Enamel is confined to the crown and does not extend onto the root. • Dentine: Dentine underlies both enamel and cementum and is not a surface covering. • Pulp: The pulp is enclosed within the tooth and does not cover the root. • Alveolar bone: Alveolar bone surrounds the root within the socket but does not coat its surface.
Q8A dental nurse encounters the notation 'tooth 75' on a chart and is uncertain whether it refers to a primary or a permanent tooth. What is the most appropriate course of action?
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✓ Correct answer: Confirm which tooth-numbering system is in use
FDI quadrants 5 through 8 are assigned to the primary dentition, so verifying the numbering system in use is essential for correct tooth identification. Why the other options are incorrect: • Assume the tooth belongs to the permanent dentition: Defaulting to permanent dentition without verification could result in treating the wrong tooth. • Document it as a lower right permanent molar: Tooth 75 belongs to the primary dentition, making it incorrect to record it as a permanent molar. • Disregard the number and continue with treatment: Proceeding while ignoring the numbering introduces a significant risk of clinical error. • Convert the notation to the universal numbering system: Changing to a different numbering system without agreement from the treating clinician is inappropriate.
Q9Looking at the diagram, which tissue is found immediately below the enamel layer?
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✓ Correct answer: Dentine
Dentine makes up the majority of the tooth structure and is positioned immediately beneath the enamel. Why the other options are incorrect: • Pulp chamber: The pulp chamber is located deeper within the tooth, not immediately beneath the enamel. • Cementum: Cementum covers the root surface and is not found beneath the enamel. • Gingival tissue: The gingiva is external soft tissue surrounding the tooth, not a layer beneath enamel. • Alveolar bone: Bone supports the tooth socket but is not situated beneath the enamel layer.
Q10During an oral examination, the clinician describes a structure forming the front part of the roof of the mouth that is bony in nature. Which structure is being described?
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✓ Correct answer: Hard palate
The hard palate is the bony, anterior portion of the oral roof and is the structure that fits this description. Why the other options are incorrect: • Soft palate: The soft palate is situated posteriorly and is composed of muscle rather than bone. • Uvula: The uvula is a small soft-tissue projection suspended from the posterior margin of the soft palate. • Tongue: The tongue is a muscular organ resting on the floor of the mouth, not part of the roof. • Floor of mouth: The floor of the mouth is an inferior structure and does not form any part of the roof.
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