ADC Written Exam flashcards

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

FDI tooth notation system

A two-digit system in which the first digit identifies the quadrant (1-4 permanent, 5-8 primary) and the second identifies tooth position 1-8 counted from the midline.

Critical pH for enamel

The plaque fluid pH, approximately 5.5, below which enamel hydroxyapatite begins to dissolve. Root dentine and cementum demineralise at a higher pH of about 6.2-6.7.

Stephan curve

The fall in plaque pH within minutes of sugar exposure, followed by recovery to resting levels over roughly 30-60 minutes depending on salivary flow, buffering and fluoride availability.

Enamel composition by weight

About 96% inorganic hydroxyapatite, 1% organic material and 3% water. It is the hardest dental tissue and cannot regenerate once destroyed by caries or wear.

Dentine composition by weight

Roughly 70% inorganic hydroxyapatite, 20% organic material mainly type I collagen and 10% water. Its tubules make exposed dentine permeable and sensitive.

Unstimulated salivary flow rate

Normal unstimulated whole salivary flow is about 0.3-0.4 mL per minute. A rate below 0.1 mL per minute indicates hyposalivation and increases caries and candidiasis risk.

Maximum lidocaine dose with vasoconstrictor

About 7 mg per kg, not exceeding 500 mg in adults. Since 2% lidocaine contains 20 mg/mL, this equates to roughly 13 cartridges of 1.8 mL in a 70 kg adult.

Sodium hypochlorite irrigation role

Used at 0.5-5.25% in root canal treatment, it dissolves organic tissue and kills microorganisms but cannot remove the inorganic smear layer, which requires a chelator such as 17% EDTA.

Fluoride varnish concentration

Five per cent sodium fluoride varnish contains 22,600 ppm fluoride and is applied two to four times per year to patients at elevated caries risk.

First permanent molar eruption

Erupts at about six years of age behind the primary second molar. Because it replaces no deciduous tooth, it is often mistaken for a primary tooth and may be left uncleaned.

Endocarditis prophylaxis regimen

For the highest-risk cardiac patients, a single 2 g oral dose of amoxicillin taken 30-60 minutes before the procedure; cephalexin, azithromycin or doxycycline are alternatives. Clindamycin is no longer recommended.

Basic periodontal examination codes

Sextant scores 0-4 where 0 is healthy, 1 bleeding only, 2 calculus or plaque retention, 3 pocket 3.5-5.5 mm and 4 pocket 5.5 mm or more; an asterisk denotes furcation involvement.

Clinical attachment loss

Probing depth plus recession measured from the cemento-enamel junction to the base of the pocket. It indicates cumulative periodontal destruction rather than current pocket depth alone.

White spot carious lesion

Subsurface enamel demineralisation beneath an intact surface, appearing chalky white. It can be remineralised with fluoride, plaque control and dietary change instead of being restored.

Cold pulp sensibility testing

Applying a refrigerant to assess pulpal nerve response. A delayed, exaggerated or lingering response suggests irreversible pulpitis; a negative response after trauma may be transient and requires retesting.

High-fluoride toothpaste

A 5000 ppm fluoride dentifrice available on prescription for patients at high caries risk, compared with 1000-1500 ppm in standard adult toothpastes.

Elements of valid consent

The patient must have decision-making capacity, consent voluntarily, and receive adequate information about the proposed treatment, alternatives, material risks and the option of no treatment. The discussion is documented.

Mature minor principle

A minor with sufficient understanding and intelligence to comprehend the proposed treatment may consent on their own behalf. Otherwise a parent or guardian must provide consent.

National Law and AHPRA

The Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, enacted in each state and territory, establishes AHPRA and the Dental Board of Australia, which manage registration, notifications and complaints about practitioners.

Mandatory notification grounds

Registered practitioners must notify AHPRA when another practitioner practises while intoxicated, has an impairment placing the public at risk, significantly departs from accepted standards, or engages in sexual misconduct.

Dental CPD requirement

The Dental Board of Australia requires 60 hours of continuing professional development per three-year registration cycle, relevant to the practitioner's scope of practice and recorded for audit.

Autoclave sterilisation parameters

Bench-top autoclaves typically sterilise at 134 degrees Celsius for 3 minutes or 121 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes under pressure, with every load monitored by chemical indicators and periodic biological spore testing.

Prion disease instrument handling

Instruments used on patients with known or suspected Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease must be quarantined and destroyed or managed under specific state protocols, because routine autoclaving does not reliably inactivate prions.

Sharps injury immediate management

Wash the wound with soap and water without squeezing, report and document the incident, arrange source and recipient serology, and assess HIV post-exposure prophylaxis, ideally within two hours and up to 72 hours.

Antibiotics in pulpitis

Localised pulpal pain or a necrotic pulp without swelling, fever or systemic involvement does not respond to antibiotics; treatment is pulpectomy, drainage or extraction, and unnecessary prescribing drives resistance.

Three-week oral ulcer rule

A single oral ulcer persisting beyond three weeks, or any firm, fixed or indurated lesion, warrants urgent referral for specialist assessment and biopsy to exclude malignancy.

Avulsed permanent tooth management

Replant immediately if the tooth is clean, handling only the crown and rinsing briefly in saline or milk. Prompt dental care within 60 minutes allows flexible splinting and tetanus review.

Avulsed primary tooth

A primary tooth should not be replanted because of the risk of damaging the developing permanent successor. Manage the socket, check for aspirated or intruded fragments and reassure the parent.

Adult anaphylaxis adrenaline dose

Adrenaline 0.5 mg intramuscularly, being 0.5 mL of 1:1000 solution, into the outer mid-thigh, repeated every five minutes as needed while calling emergency services and giving oxygen.

Hypoglycaemia in the dental chair

A conscious hypoglycaemic patient should receive 15-20 g of fast-acting oral carbohydrate and be rechecked. If unconscious, do not give oral fluids; call an ambulance and support the airway.

Reversible pulpitis features

Sharp pain provoked by cold or sweet stimuli that resolves quickly once the stimulus is removed, with no spontaneous or nocturnal pain; the pulp remains vital and often responds to conservative treatment.

Irreversible pulpitis features

Spontaneous or lingering pain lasting more than 30 seconds after a cold stimulus, often worse on lying down or at night; definitive treatment is pulpectomy or extraction, not analgesics alone.