ADC Practical Exam flashcards

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

Spaulding classification

A three-tier system that categorises dental instruments as critical, semi-critical, or non-critical based on the risk of infection transmission, guiding the required level of sterilisation or disinfection.

Biological sterilisation indicator

A preparation of bacterial spores, such as Geobacillus stearothermophilus for steam autoclaves, used to confirm that a sterilisation cycle achieved the conditions needed to kill resistant microorganisms.

Sharps injury HIV PEP window

Post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV should be started as soon as possible after a sharps injury, ideally within hours, and no later than 72 hours after exposure.

C-factor

The ratio of bonded to unbonded surface area in a cavity preparation. A high C-factor increases polymerisation shrinkage stress, so incremental layering is used to reduce it.

Class II cavity

A cavity involving the proximal surface of a posterior tooth, commonly prepared as a mesi-occlusal or disto-occlusal box and often requiring matrix isolation for restoration.

Glass ionomer cement

A tooth-coloured restorative material that bonds chemically to enamel and dentine and releases fluoride, making it useful for high caries-risk patients and root surface restorations.

Working length determination

The length from a coronal reference point to a point 0.5-1.0 mm short of the radiographic apex, established using radiographs and electronic apex locators before canal preparation.

Sodium hypochlorite extrusion

Accidental passage of irrigant beyond the apex, causing sudden severe pain, immediate swelling, and tissue necrosis; management includes immediate saline irrigation and supportive care.

Irreversible pulpitis

A pulpal diagnosis characterised by spontaneous or lingering pain that persists after the stimulus is removed, indicating inflammation that will not resolve and requires endodontic treatment or extraction.

Clinical attachment loss

The distance from the cementoenamel junction to the base of the periodontal pocket, calculated as probing depth plus recession, and used to measure true periodontal destruction.

Periodontitis Grade C

A grading reflecting rapid periodontal progression, based on radiographic bone loss relative to age and risk factors such as smoking or poorly controlled diabetes.

Bleeding on probing

A clinical indicator of gingival inflammation recorded during periodontal probing; its absence has a high negative predictive value for periodontal stability.

Freeway space

The difference between the rest position of the mandible and the occlusal vertical dimension, typically 2-4 mm, used to establish the occlusal vertical dimension in complete dentures.

Neutral zone

The area of the denture-bearing arch where forces from the tongue, lips, and cheeks are balanced, so arranging teeth within it improves complete denture stability.

Ante's rule

A guideline for fixed partial denture design stating that the combined root surface area of the abutment teeth should equal or exceed that of the teeth being replaced.

Alveolar osteitis

Also called dry socket, this is severe throbbing pain 2-4 days after extraction with an empty socket, treated by irrigation and a medicated dressing rather than antibiotics alone.

Winter's classification

A system for describing impacted mandibular third molars by their angulation relative to the second molar as mesioangular, distoangular, horizontal, or vertical.

Inferior alveolar nerve injury risk

The risk of nerve damage during mandibular third molar surgery, increased by deep impaction and radiographic signs such as loss of the white line or canal diversion.

Maximum lidocaine dose

Lidocaine 2% with epinephrine is limited to 4.4 mg/kg, up to a maximum of 300 mg, which equates to about eight 1.8 mL cartridges in a 70 kg adult.

Gow-Gates technique

An alternative mandibular nerve block targeting the condylar neck, providing a wider area of anaesthesia and a lower rate of positive aspiration than the conventional inferior alveolar block.

Epinephrine contraindications

Epinephrine-containing local anaesthetics should be avoided in uncontrolled hyperthyroidism, pheochromocytoma, and severe cardiovascular disease; plain solutions may be preferred in these patients.

Paralleling technique

An intraoral radiographic technique in which the receptor is held parallel to the tooth and the central ray is directed perpendicular, minimising distortion and elongation.

Foreshortening

A radiographic distortion in which the image of a tooth appears shorter than the actual tooth, caused by excessive vertical angulation of the central ray.

ALARA principle

The principle that radiation exposure should be kept as low as reasonably achievable, applied through rectangular collimation, lead shielding, and digital receptors requiring lower exposure.

Informed consent elements

A valid consent discussion covers the nature of the procedure, its risks and benefits, reasonable alternatives, and the consequences of declining treatment, documented in the clinical record.

SPIKES framework

A six-step approach to breaking bad news: Setting, Perception, Invitation, Knowledge, Empathy, and Strategy or Summary, used to communicate sensitively with patients.

Confidentiality limits

Patient confidentiality may be breached without consent only when required by law, to prevent serious harm, or for mandatory public health reporting.

Anaphylaxis adrenaline dose

Intramuscular adrenaline 0.5 mg (0.5 mL of 1:1000) into the anterolateral thigh, repeated every 5 minutes if needed, with emergency services called and high-flow oxygen given.

Syncope management

Position the patient supine with legs elevated, maintain the airway, administer oxygen, and monitor vital signs until recovery before allowing the patient to leave.

Hypoglycaemia treatment

Give 15-20 g of fast-acting oral carbohydrate to a conscious patient; if unconscious, give intramuscular glucagon 1 mg or intravenous glucose and call emergency services.

Basic life support rate

Chest compressions are delivered at 100-120 per minute at a depth of 5-6 cm, with an AED applied as soon as it becomes available.

Angina management in dental chair

Stop treatment, sit the patient upright, give sublingual glyceryl trinitrate, administer aspirin 300 mg if not contraindicated, and call emergency services if pain persists.