DHA Dentist Exam flashcards

42 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Syncope management

Place patient supine with legs elevated, loosen tight clothing, and provide fresh air. If no recovery within 1–2 minutes, assess airway and call for emergency help.

Angina pectoris protocol

Stop treatment, sit patient upright, give sublingual nitroglycerin 0.3–0.4 mg every 5 minutes up to 3 doses. If pain persists >15 minutes, treat as myocardial infarction and transfer.

Anaphylaxis treatment

Administer epinephrine 0.3–0.5 mg IM (1:1000) in the anterolateral thigh, repeat every 5–15 minutes as needed. Give oxygen, IV fluids, and diphenhydramine as adjuncts.

Adrenal crisis prevention

Patients with adrenal insufficiency or on long-term corticosteroids may require doubled or supplemental corticosteroid coverage for stressful dental procedures to prevent acute adrenal crisis.

Antibiotic prophylaxis indications

Prophylaxis is indicated before invasive dental procedures for prosthetic heart valves, previous infective endocarditis, certain congenital heart defects, and cardiac transplant with valvulopathy.

Warfarin dental management

Do not stop warfarin routinely for routine dental care. Check INR within 24 hours; proceed if INR is within therapeutic range (typically ≤3.5) and use local hemostatic measures.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Minor ulcers are <1 cm and heal in 7–14 days without scarring. Major ulcers exceed 1 cm, persist for weeks, and may scar. Treatment is topical corticosteroids and symptomatic relief.

Oral lichen planus

Bilateral white striae (Wickham striae) with erosive areas. Biopsy if unilateral, ulcerated, or nonresponsive to rule out dysplasia or malignancy. Managed with topical corticosteroids.

Leukoplakia

A white patch that cannot be rubbed off and cannot be classified clinically. Biopsy to rule out dysplasia. Follow up annually for nonsmokers and every 6 months for smokers.

Erythroplakia

A red velvety patch with high risk of severe dysplasia or carcinoma in situ. Biopsy is mandatory. Often associated with tobacco and alcohol use.

Pleomorphic adenoma

Most common benign salivary gland tumor, usually in the parotid. Treatment is superficial parotidectomy with margin. Recurrence risk if capsule ruptured.

Trigeminal neuralgia

Paroxysmal lancinating pain in V2/V3 triggered by touch, chewing, or cold. Carbamazepine is first-line therapy. Evaluate for multiple sclerosis or vascular compression.

Working length determination

Use an apex locator reading within 0.5 mm of the apical constriction, confirmed with a periapical radiograph. Accurate working length prevents over- or under-instrumentation.

Sodium hypochlorite irrigation

0.5–5.25% NaOCl dissolves organic tissue and is antimicrobial. Do not mix with chlorhexidine due to precipitate formation. Use copious irrigation with caution to avoid extrusion.

C-shaped canal

Most common in mandibular second molars. Complex anatomy requires careful rotary instrumentation and copious irrigation. Risk of strip perforation is increased.

Crown preparation reduction

Axial reduction 1.0–1.5 mm for metal-ceramic and 1.5–2.0 mm for all-ceramic. Occlusal reduction 1.5–2.0 mm. Adequate reduction ensures restoration strength and esthetics.

Dentin bonding

Total-etch uses 32–37% phosphoric acid on enamel and dentin; self-etch does not require separate etching. Avoid over-drying etched dentin to prevent collagen collapse.

Posterior palatal seal

Provides retention and seals the denture border at the junction of the hard and soft palate, extending to the vibrating line. Essential for complete denture retention.

Implant overdenture support

Minimum of two implants in the anterior mandible between mental foramina. Splinting improves stability and survival. Attachment systems include ball, locator, and bar.

Occlusal vertical dimension

Loss of OVD manifests as angular cheilitis, reduced lower facial height, and increased freeway space. Restore with a trial denture or occlusal splint.

Denture stomatitis

Most commonly caused by Candida albicans. Treat with topical antifungal, denture hygiene, and removal of dentures at night. Identify and correct predisposing factors.

Periodontal disease staging

Staging (I–IV) based on severity and complexity; grading (A–C) based on progression rate and risk factors. Guides treatment planning and prognosis.

Scaling and root planing

Definitive nonsurgical therapy for chronic periodontitis. Re-evaluate 6–8 weeks after completion. May require adjunctive antibiotics for aggressive or necrotizing disease.

Gingival enlargement drugs

Phenytoin, nifedipine, and cyclosporine can cause gingival enlargement. Management includes meticulous oral hygiene and substitution of medication when possible.

Peri-implant mucositis

Reversible inflammation without bone loss around an implant. Peri-implantitis includes bone loss and requires surgical intervention. Regular maintenance is essential.

Dry socket

Alveolar osteitis with severe pain 2–4 days post-extraction and an empty socket. Treat with socket irrigation and medicated dressing. Avoid smoking.

Ludwig's angina

Bilateral infection of submandibular, sublingual, and submental spaces with airway compromise. Requires urgent IV antibiotics and surgical drainage. Do not delay treatment.

Inferior alveolar nerve injury

Most common after third molar surgery. Assess with neurosensory testing. Most paresthesias resolve within 6 months. Document preoperatively and monitor.

Cephalometric ANB angle

SNA normal ~82°, SNB ~80°, ANB ~2°. ANB >4° suggests Class II skeletal pattern; ANB <0° suggests Class III. Guides orthodontic diagnosis.

Fluoride varnish

5% sodium fluoride (22,600 ppm) applied every 3–6 months for caries prevention in children. Safe and effective; avoid in patients with ulcerative gingivitis or stomatitis.

Pulpotomy in primary molars

Remove coronal pulp, apply medicament (formocresol or ferric sulfate), and place stainless steel crown. Indicated for vital pulp exposure in primary teeth.

DMFT index

Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth; DMFS index uses surfaces. Used to measure caries prevalence in populations. Higher scores indicate greater caries experience.

Autoclave sterilization

121°C for 15 minutes or 134°C for 3 minutes. Monitor with biological indicators (Geobacillus stearothermophilus) weekly. Essential for infection control.

Hand hygiene

Use alcohol-based hand rub for routine decontamination; wash with soap and water when hands are visibly soiled or after contact with blood/body fluids. Prevents cross-infection.

Lidocaine maximum dose

7 mg/kg (up to 500 mg) for adults; 4.4 mg/kg for children. Calculate based on body weight. Epinephrine 1:100,000 contains 0.01 mg/mL.

Antibiotic prophylaxis regimen

Amoxicillin 2 g orally 30–60 minutes before procedure. For penicillin allergy, use cephalexin, azithromycin, or doxycycline. Clindamycin is no longer recommended due to C. difficile risk.

Opioid analgesic caution

Codeine is a prodrug converted to morphine by CYP2D6. Avoid in children and ultrarapid metabolizers due to respiratory depression risk. Use alternative analgesics.

Inferior alveolar nerve block

Target is the pterygomandibular space. Complications include trismus, hematoma, and intravascular injection. Aspirate before injecting to avoid systemic effects.

Informed consent

Must include diagnosis, proposed treatment, risks, benefits, alternatives, and consequences of no treatment. Document in the patient record. Essential for ethical practice.

Patient confidentiality

Protected under UAE Federal Law No. 2 of 2019 and professional regulations. Disclose only with consent or legal requirement. Breach may lead to legal and professional consequences.

Record retention

Maintain accurate, legible, and contemporaneous records. Retain for at least 10 years or as required by UAE health authority regulations. Supports continuity and legal defense.

Adverse event reporting

Report serious adverse events and near misses to the health authority. Participate in root cause analysis. Promotes patient safety and quality improvement.