NZ Dental Hygiene REX case studies

NZ Dental Hygiene REX · Put your knowledge to work in context.

The New Zealand Dental Hygiene Registration Examination (REX) is the assessment route used by the Dental Council of New Zealand for dental hygienists who have qualified overseas or whose qualification is not otherwise recognised for registration here. Passing it demonstrates that your knowledge and clinical judgement meet the standard expected to practise safely and competently within the New Zealand scope of practice. The NZ Dental Hygiene REX case studies are 5 cases and about 5,106 words.

A 15-year-old books herself in, and her mother wants the file

Hine, aged 15 years and 8 months, books herself into the community oral health clinic where you practise as a dental hygienist. She arrives with her 19-year-old cousin.

1,004 words, about 5 min 2

Sharps injury at 4:40 pm, and an autoclave with a gap in the log

It is 4:40 pm and you are finishing subgingival debridement on a 47-year-old man. While you remove the ultrasonic tip from the handpiece, it slips and pierces the glove and thumb of your left hand, drawing blood.

1,033 words, about 5 min 3

Six to eight millimetre pockets, a DOAC, and a flight in three weeks

Mr T is 58, last saw a dentist three years ago, and books for 'a clean before I go overseas'. He smokes 20 cigarettes a day, has type 2 diabetes with an HbA1c of 9.1% checked last month, and takes apixaban 5 mg twice daily for atrial fibrillation plus amlodipine 10 mg.

980 words, about 5 min 4

Dry mouth, nine root lesions and a sipper bottle of cordial

Mrs W is 71 and attends for a scale. Her medications are oxybutynin 5 mg three times daily, sertraline 100 mg and lercanidipine.

1,061 words, about 5 min 5

A seven-week ulcer found during a scale and polish

Mr R, 59, is a kaumātua who attends your clinic for a scale and polish, his first in four years. He smokes 25 cigarettes a day, drinks six to eight beers at weekends, and has a Community Services Card.

1,028 words, about 5 min