Trisha E. O`Hehir, RDH, BS
In May, I attended the Total Development Weekend sponsored by Ohio Dental Hygien-ists` Association and was lucky enough to sit in on Dr. Joen Iannucci Haring`s Radiography Presentation. It was great! Her frequent short quizzes during the presentation tested my knowledge and memory!
They were such fun I thought you might enjoy one on periodontics. So here it is. This quiz will test your knowledge of periodontal research.
These questions are taken from research summaries presented in the "Compendium of Current Research," a collection of Perio Reports articles from July 1989 through 1996. More than 400 pages are organized by topic, separated by tab sections, and summarized at the start of each chapter to ensure user-friendliness. Good luck!
1. The rate at which patients in periodontal practices comply completely with recommended recall intervals:
a. 65-73 percent
b. 40-62 percent
c. 16-30 percent
d. 8-10 percent
The answer is c, 16-30 percent. This surprisingly low compliance rate has been confirmed in several research studies measuring compliance in periodontal practices around the world. No data is available on recall compliance in general practice.
2. Fluid lavage reaches base of the pocket with which ultrasonic tip:
a. Dentsply TFI-10
b. EWPP
c. Slimline tip
d. Cavitron P-10
The answer is b, EWPP, which is a probe-like tip with a groove down the length of it. It is named after Dr. Sol Ewen, author of Ultrasonic Therapy in Periodontics, the first textbook on ultrasonics.
3. Most effective recall interval for controlling gingivitis and caries in kids is:
a. Two weeks
b. Three months
c. Six months
d. 12 months
The answer is a, two weeks, as demonstrated by Dr. Per Axelsson in Sweden. The children received complete dental hygiene care every two weeks for two years at school dental clinics. The control group experienced 575 carious lesions compared to 19 in the test group. Gingivitis in the two-week dental hygiene group was virtually eliminated. Despite such success, this study design has not been repeated for fear of too much polishing.
4. Most reliable indicator for interproximal infection is:
a. Plaque Score
b. BOP
c. EIBI
d. Gingivitis Score
The answer is c, EIBI or the Eastman Interdental Bleeding Index. Using a triangular-shaped wooden stick interproximally measures bleeding which was correlated with cellular changes seen in tissue samples of infected papill a.
5. Which area provides the greatest source of bad breath in the mouth as measured by VSC (volatile sulfur compounds)?
a. Interproximal areas
b. Throat area
c. Lingual and facial surfaces
d. Tongue
The answer is d, the tongue, which is the focus of many oral malodor studies. The fissures and papilla provide a perfect place for bacteria to accumulate.
6. The OKeyes MethodO includes:
a. Brushing with baking soda and salt
b. Daily use of baking soda, salt and peroxide, thorough root debridement and systemic antibiotics
c. Brushing and interproximal use of baking soda, salt and peroxide
d. Microscopic analysis of plaque and systemic antibiotics
The answer is b, daily use of baking soda, salt and peroxide, thorough root debridement and systemic antibiotics. Despite numerous articles in consumer publications, the Keyes Method is much more comprehensive than a homemade toothpaste.
7. Control of gingivitis in young people requires:
a. Oral hygiene instructions
b. Calculus removal
c. Oral hygiene instructions and calculus removal
d. Antibiotics
The answer is a, oral hygiene instructions. Researchers found calculus removal provided no added benefit over effective daily disease control by the young people.
8. True or False: Bacterial endotoxins can be easily removed from root surfaces with just a brush and water.
True. For many years it was thought, but unsubstantiated, that endotoxins were cementum-boun d. Several studies confirmed the weak association between the two. This finding calls into question the long held belief in root planing to achieve cementum removal.
9. True or False: Loosely attached plaque is 2 to 60 times more toxic than attached plaque.
True. Attached plaque is what we see with disclosing solution. Loosely attached plaque in periodontal pockets is much more toxic and may explain why some patients who are effective at removing attached plaque still show signs of disease progression.
10. True or False: Oral irrigation leads to more bacteremia than brushing or flossing.
False. This was believed to be true for many years, but research has not been able to confirm oral irrigation related systemic bacteremia to a greater degree than brushing or even chewing food.
11. True or False: Plaque reduction equals gingivitis reductions.
False. Although many toothbrush studies claim plaque removal, no change may be seen in gingival bleeding. The key is removal of enough plaque to result in reductions in gingivitis.
12. True or False: Chlorhexidine has been tested in the following forms: rinse, spray, gel, toothpaste, chewing gum, and lozenges.
True. Although not available in North America, chlorhexidine is available in many forms internationally.
Trisha E. O`Hehir, RDH, is a senior consulting editor of RDH. She also is editor of Perio Reports, a newsletter for dental professionals that addresses periodontics.
