MOH Oral and Dental Health Licensure Exam (Jordan) common mistakes
MOH Oral and Dental Health Licensure Exam (Jordan) · Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
When charting a mixed dentition, writes 47 for the primary mandibular right second molar instead of 85, or uses Universal letters on an FDI case.
Candidates memorize the permanent FDI chart but do not convert primary teeth to quadrants 5–8, and adult quadrant habits carry over under time pressure.
What to do instead
Drill the primary FDI quadrants: 5 = maxillary right, 6 = maxillary left, 7 = mandibular left, 8 = mandibular right; the second molar is 55/65/75/85. Practise 10 mixed-dentition charts and verify the quadrant before writing any tooth number.
After a periapical radiograph, advances the master apical file 1 mm beyond the radiographic apex because the file tip looks short, then obturates to that length.
The radiographic apex is confused with the apical constriction, parallax is ignored, and the candidate fears a short fill more than extrusion.
What to do instead
Use an electronic apex locator, confirm with a periapical radiograph, and place the master apical file 0.5–1.0 mm short of the radiographic apex at the minor constriction. Record the working length and reference point, then verify cone fit before obturation.
Reads probing depths of 5 mm on molars and writes “mild chronic periodontitis” without recording recession, clinical attachment loss, or radiographic bone loss.
Probing depth is treated as equivalent to attachment loss, older terminology is used, and the 2018 classification is not applied systematically.
What to do instead
Record probing depth, gingival margin, and clinical attachment loss at six sites per tooth; calculate CAL and assess radiographic bone loss. Stage and grade the case using CAL, bone loss, tooth loss, smoking, and diabetes, and check interdental CAL before assigning a diagnosis.
Prescribes amoxicillin 500 mg three times daily for a patient with sharp pain to cold, no swelling, no fever, and a closed pulp chamber.
The patient expects an antibiotic, the candidate conflates irreversible pulpitis with infection, and defensive prescribing feels safer than explaining definitive treatment.
What to do instead
Treat irreversible pulpitis with analgesia and pulpectomy or drainage; prescribe antibiotics only for systemic involvement, spreading infection, or immunocompromise. Document the justification when antibiotics are used and follow local antimicrobial guidance.
Wipes the low-speed handpiece and contra-angle with 70% alcohol between patients and returns it to the bracket table.
The handpiece exterior appears clean, the candidate worries that autoclaving will damage it, and schedule pressure encourages shortcut disinfection.
What to do instead
Use autoclavable handpieces, clean and sterilize them after every patient, and use barriers on surfaces that cannot be sterilized. Flush waterlines, log sterilization cycles, and never substitute alcohol wiping for autoclaving.
Sees a 1.5-cm ulcer on the lateral border of the tongue in a 60-year-old smoker, attributes it to a sharp tooth, and schedules review in 3 months.
The candidate anchors on local trauma, overlooks red flags such as age, site, smoking, and duration, and is reluctant to refer or biopsy.
What to do instead
Any oral ulcer persisting longer than 2 weeks requires biopsy or urgent referral within 2 weeks, especially on the lateral tongue or floor of mouth. Remove the irritant if present but do not delay biopsy; document smoking, alcohol, and duration.
Etches enamel and dentin together for 30 seconds with 37% phosphoric acid, rinses, leaves dentin glistening, and light-cures a 4-mm composite increment.
The enamel etch protocol is applied to dentin, over-etching and over-drying are not recognized, and thick increments are used to save time.
What to do instead
Etch enamel for 30 seconds and dentin for 15 seconds, or use selective enamel etching. Blot dentin instead of desiccating it, apply the adhesive per manufacturer, and cure composite in 2-mm increments with adequate light exposure.
Mounts casts with an arbitrary facebow, sets condylar guidance to 30° for every patient, and adjusts occlusion only in maximum intercuspation.
Semi-adjustable articulator average values are treated as patient-specific, centric relation is not recorded, and excursions are ignored during adjustment.
What to do instead
Record centric relation with an interocclusal record and use individual condylar guidance when the case requires it. Adjust occlusion in centric relation and in lateral and protrusive excursions, and verify canine guidance and nonworking-side clearance.
Receives an avulsed maxillary central incisor stored in tap water, scrubs the root with gauze, and delays replantation for 90 minutes.
The candidate lacks a trauma protocol, equates visible dirt with infection risk, and does not know acceptable storage media or timing.
What to do instead
Handle the tooth by the crown, rinse with saline, and store in milk, HBSS, or saline. Replant within 30 minutes when possible, apply a flexible splint for 2 weeks, check tetanus status, and arrange root canal treatment timing according to apex status.
Activates a fixed appliance every 2 weeks and uses a 200-g nickel-titanium coil to close an extraction space.
The candidate wants faster tooth movement, is unfamiliar with optimal orthodontic force levels, and does not consider hyalinization or anchorage loss.
What to do instead
Reactivate every 4–6 weeks and use light continuous forces, generally 50–150 cN for space closure. Monitor anchorage, check for root resorption, and avoid excessive force that causes pain and hyalinization.