ADC Written Exam (Dental Hygiene) study plan

Map head and neck anatomy from memory: label cranial nerves, muscles of mastication, salivary glands, vascular supply and lymphatics on blank diagrams

Explain the physiology of mastication, swallowing, TMJ function and salivary secretion in short written summaries

Summarise the biochemistry of enamel and dentine mineralisation and describe how fluoride alters hydroxyapatite solubility

Build a spaced-repetition deck of at least 150 Domain 1 cards covering anatomy, physiology and biochemistry terms

Classify odontogenic cysts, odontogenic tumours and common mucosal lesions by origin, site and distinguishing features in a comparison table

Distinguish virulence factors, transmission routes and biofilm behaviour of key oral organisms including mutans streptococci, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Candida, HSV and hepatitis B

Summarise the drug classes used in dental practice (analgesics, antibiotics, local anaesthetics, vasoconstrictors, anticoagulants, bisphosphonates) with mechanism, typical dose range and relevant interactions

Work 60 vignette-style pathology and pharmacology items and log every error by cause

Sequence the steps and state the indications for direct and indirect restorations, and justify material selection against clinical variables

Outline endodontic diagnosis, pulp sensibility testing, working length determination, shaping and obturation, and the management of endodontic emergencies

Compare fixed and removable prosthodontic designs and explain tooth preparation, occlusal and hygiene principles for each

Answer 50 clinical case items on restorative, endodontic and prosthodontic decision-making

Stage and grade periodontal disease using the current classification and match each stage to a non-surgical or surgical treatment plan

Outline surgical protocols for routine and surgical extractions, flap design, impacted third molars, suturing and management of intra-operative and medical emergencies

Summarise orthodontic assessment, skeletal and dental classification basics, appliance types and the timing of referral

Apply behaviour management and preventive regimes in paediatric patients, covering fluoride varnish, fissure sealants, trauma and caries-risk recall intervals

Apply informed consent, capacity and confidentiality frameworks to ten written clinical scenarios and justify each decision

Distinguish autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice and veracity when resolving competing obligations in case vignettes

Explain scope of practice, registration and regulatory obligations, referral duties and mandatory reporting relevant to dental hygienists

Analyse behaviour-change models including the stages-of-change model and motivational interviewing as applied to non-adherent patients

Interpret epidemiological measures including prevalence, incidence, DMFT/dmft, sensitivity, specificity and number needed to treat from sample data sets

Design a community prevention programme with measurable targets, covering water fluoridation, school sealant schemes and tobacco-cessation referral

Outline infection prevention and control, waste handling, record-keeping and audit requirements for a dental practice

Compare practice management models for scheduling, recall systems, staffing, budgeting and ethical marketing

Re-test the consolidated top-20 weak topics drawn from all four domains and close at least 15 of them

Work 80 mixed vignettes that link biomedical science directly to clinical decision-making

Rehearse dose, fluoride concentration and epidemiological calculations under timed conditions

Redraft summary sheets for anatomy, pathology, pharmacology and periodontics from memory, then correct them against source notes

Sit two full-length timed mock examinations under exam conditions covering all four domains

Categorise every incorrect answer by domain and by cause (knowledge gap, misread, calculation, guessing) and re-study each one

Recite one-page summary sheets for behavioural science, ethics, public health and practice management from memory

Finalise exam-day logistics and a 48-hour pre-exam review schedule