ADEX Dental Hygiene study guide
ADEX Dental Hygiene · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The ADEX Dental Hygiene Examination is a licensure examination that many U.S. state dental boards use to decide whether a candidate is ready to practice dental hygiene independently. The ADEX Dental Hygiene study guide has 7 sections and about 2,078 words.
01Biomedical Sciences: Structure, Function, and Mechanisms
Biomedical sciences underpin every clinical decision, so questions test structure–function links rather than isolated facts. Know tooth histology: enamel is the only ectodermal tissue of the tooth, is acellular, roughly 96% mineral, and cannot regenerate; dentin is tubular and formed by odontoblasts; cementum is avascular and anchors periodontal ligament fibers.
307 words, about 2 min02Periodontal Disease and Periodontal Therapy
Gingivitis is reversible inflammation confined to the gingiva with no clinical attachment loss; periodontitis requires clinical attachment loss plus radiographic bone loss. The 2017 classification separates stage (severity and complexity: CAL, probing depth, bone loss percentage, tooth loss, furcation, ridge defects) from grade (rate of progression: A slow, B moderate, C rapid, based on direct radiographic evidence or indirect evidence such as bone loss divided by age, plus smoking and HbA1c ≥7%).
298 words, about 1 min03Preventive Dental Hygiene and Caries Management
Caries is a biofilm-mediated, diet-modulated process. Demineralization occurs when plaque pH falls below the critical pH (about 5.5 for enamel, 4.5–5.0 for root surfaces); remineralization requires fluoride, calcium, and phosphate.
299 words, about 1 min04Patient Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning
Assessment begins with a complete medical history, the chief complaint in the patient's own words, and vital signs. Know the 2017 ACC/AHA blood pressure categories: normal below 120/80; elevated 120–129 over below 80; stage 1 at 130–139 or 80–89; stage 2 at 140/90 or higher; hypertensive crisis above 180 and/or 120, which requires immediate referral and deferral of elective care.
297 words, about 1 min05Local Anesthesia and Pain Management
Maxillary anesthesia: posterior superior alveolar for molars (except the mesiobuccal root of the first molar, which may need supplemental infiltration), middle superior alveolar for premolars, anterior superior alveolar for anteriors, greater palatine for posterior palatal tissue, and nasopalatine for the anterior palate. Mandibular: inferior alveolar block, with Gow-Gates and Vazirani-Akinosi as alternatives, plus long buccal and lingual injections; the mental and incisive nerves supply premolars and anteriors.
276 words, about 1 min06Radiology and Radiation Safety
X-rays are ionizing electromagnetic radiation produced when accelerated electrons strike a tungsten target. Know the units: absorbed dose is measured in gray (1 Gy = 100 rad); equivalent and effective dose in sievert (1 Sv = 100 rem).
300 words, about 2 min07Professional Responsibility, Ethics, and Infection Control
Ethical practice rests on autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, and veracity. Informed consent requires disclosure of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the consequences of declining care.
301 words, about 2 min