Communication & Materials

Pan Dental Remedial Communication Skills and Dental Materials Quiz.

This exam is designed to examine your knowledge in communication skills and dental materials.

All questions have only one correct answer.

Could you enter your information below? Please use your work email.

1 / 60

Which of the following is NOT a side effect of commercial mouthwashes?

Alcohol-containing mouthwashes may cause a false positive on road traffic breath analysis tests.

Alcohol-containing mouthwashes may cause a burning sensation.

They may change the normal balance of good and bad bacteria in the mouth.

Mouthwashes cause very high rates of mouth cancer.

2 / 60

Which of the following should we NOT do when we first meet a patient?

Greet the patient.

Stand with a bent back.

Smile.

Introduce the entire dental team that will be working on the patient.

3 / 60

In medicine, we often communicate down an information gradient. What does this mean?

It means that medical conversations with patients should be like lectures.

It means that information should only flow in one direction: from the doctor to the patient.

It means that the medical team is more educated, and therefore, knows how the patient should feel emotionally about their condition.

It means that the medical team is more knowledgeable about the science of the diseases than the patient.

4 / 60

What is the difference between the working time and the setting time of amalgam?

Setting time is the period the amalgamator needs to mix the capsule, while the working time is the period that the amalgam needs to rest before the assistant gives it to the dentist.

Working time is the period the dentist can work with the amalgam while it is still soft, while the setting time is the period the amalgam needs to continue hardening on a microscopic scale, even when it is too hard for the dentist to shape it.

Setting time is the period the dentist can work with the amalgam while it is still soft, while the working time is the period the amalgam needs to continue hardening on a microscopic scale, even when it is too hard for the dentist to shape it.

Working time is the period the amalgamator needs to mix the capsule, while the setting time is the period that the amalgam needs to rest before the assistant gives it to the dentist.

5 / 60

A patient is annoyed that their procedure is delayed. They start shouting at you and become very difficult to talk to. How do you handle the situation?

Shake their hand and tell them it's going to be okay.

Wait and watch. Do something only after they turn violent.

Listen intently as to why they are upset, and make them feel heard.

Argue with them so that they can understand you better.

6 / 60

How do you respond to a patient who makes sexual jokes during treatment?

Report them to police immediately.

Also make sexual jokes to improve patient rapport.

Tell them while smiling and laughing with a friendly tone, that they have to stop for treatment to continue.

Tell them with a calm, neutral face and a professional tone that they have to stop for treatment to continue.

7 / 60

Fluoride varnish is only applied in the dental office, but not at home by the patient, like most toothpastes. Why?

Fluoride varnish is dangerous, but toothpaste is completely safe to swallow.

Fluoride varnish does not turn hydroxyapatite into fluorapatite.

Flouride varnish has a high concentration of fluoride at more than 20,000 mg/L.

Fluoride varnish contains less fluoride than toothpaste.

8 / 60

Zinc oxide eugenol is often used in pulpotomies. Why?

Zinc oxide eugenol does not break down in water.

Zinc oxide eugenol should also be used as a permanent filling in adults because it is very strong.

Eugenol oil never causes allergies.

Eugenol oil has a pain-killing effect.

9 / 60

Why are patients advised not to rinse their mouths with water after brushing with toothpaste?

So that sodium lauryl sulfate does not affect the taste sensation.

To prevent hydroxyapatite from turning into fluorapatite.

To prevent stomach ulcers.

So that the fluoride remains in contact with the teeth as long as possible, and is not washed away.

10 / 60

What is the function of silicon carbide particles in Opalustre, used in Enamel Microabrasion?

It turns hydroxyapatite into fluorapatite.

There are no silicon carbide particles used in enamel microabrasion.

It dissolves stains chemically.

It scratches away a thin layer of the tooth.

11 / 60

Which of the following bone graft types comes from an animal?

Synthetic calcium-containing grafts.

Autologous bone graft.

Xenograft.

Allograft.

12 / 60

How can we use non-vital communication well in the dental office?

The dentist comments on the weather to ease tension before beginning treatment.

The assistant interrupts patient questions with politics.

The hygienist continues talking about football while the patient is looks stressed.

The dentist discusses weekend plans while delivering bad news.

13 / 60

Which is the best posture and place to communicate with a patient about something sensitive?

Standing with a bent back in the open corridor.

Standing straight somewhere private.

Sitting down, leaning back somewhere private.

Sitting down, leaning a bit forward, somewhere private.

14 / 60

What is the purpose of the silane linking agent when cementing E.max restorations?

Linking the etched emax surface to the resin cement.

Etching the tooth surface.

Etching the ceramic surface.

Joining the universal adhesive to the resin cement.

15 / 60

Which of the following is NOT a good use of calcium hydroxide?

As a permanent filling.

As an interappointment root canal medicament.

As a pulp capping material.

16 / 60

What makes up the vocal message?

Content and Paralanguage.

Paralanguage.

Verbal message.

Content and Verbal message.

17 / 60

Which of the following is NOT a correct way to handle alginate restorations?

Removing the alginate quickly from the mouth means it is less likely to tear.

Pour gypsum as soon as possible.

Using cooler water may increase the working time.

Allow the alginate to dry for 48 hours before pouring gypsum.

18 / 60

Why do we use retraction cord?

To retract the teeth for braces.

To increase the bonding of opaquers to the silane linking agent for metal casted posts.

To retract the gums and take more accurate impressions.

To tie bleeding arteries during oral surgery, and retract the bleeding.

19 / 60

Modern composites are called "nano-hybrid composites". What does this mean?

They have different sizes of photoinitiators to speed up the polymerisation.

They have two kinds of resin monomers: the nano-resins and the hybrid resins.

They have different sizes of fillers, to affect both the strength and colour of the composite.

They contain nano-hybrid silane linking agent.

20 / 60

Select the false statement about touch.

We should hug patients only if they initiate it first.

We should respect patient's personal space and not touch them without permission.

It always worsens rapport when used with patients.

Touch has had documented historical healing powers for centuries, for example therapeutic massages.

21 / 60

What are bite plates used for?

To protect the wearer during sports.

To straighten teeth.

To protect the teeth from damage during tooth grinding at night.

To treat TMJ (jaw joint) disorders.

22 / 60

We use orthophosphoric acid to etch tooth structure before applying fillings. Why?

Etching smoothens tooth structure, which makes the filling stick better.

The statement is false. We use hydrofluoric acid to etch tooth structure.

Etching roughens tooth structure, which makes the filling stick better.

Etching changes hydroxyapatite into fluorapatite.

23 / 60

Match the protocol for using an opaquer with the correct restorative material.

Discoloured tooth structure -> Sandblaster and universal adhesive.

Nickel-chromium custom-casted post -> Orthophosphoric acid and universal adhesive.

Nickel-chromium custom-casted post -> Sandblaster and silane-linking agent.

Lithium disilicate -> Sandblaster, orthophosphoric acid and universal adhesive.

24 / 60

Why do some bulk-fill composites need a layer of packable composite on top?

Because the bulk-fill composites are often very opaque, and so it would be difficult to match the shade of the tooth.

Because bulk-fill composites cannot be used in layers thicker than 2mm.

Because bulk-fill composites can be cured to a depth of 6 mm.

Because the bulk-fill composites are often very translucent, and so it would be difficult to match the shade of the tooth.

25 / 60

What is special about communicating by phone?

Paralanguage is more important. 

Self-disclosing assertiveness is very important.

It becomes impossible to cause a fact-inference confusion.

Non-verbal communication is more important. 

26 / 60

Porcelain in PFM restorations is applied by the lab technician in layers over the metal coping. Which layer blocks out the greyish colour of the metal coping?

Metal oxide layer.

Opaque layer.

Incisal layer.

Dentin layer.

27 / 60

Which of the following is true about sealers?

Epoxy resin sealers are very safe to handle with bare hands.

Resin sealers do not form a Monoblock.

Calcium hydroxide is very strong and does not dissolve in water.

Using too much sealer is not good, because in large amounts, shrinkage will affect the sealer's ability to seal the canal.

28 / 60

A patient cannot speak when the dentist is working because of the instruments in their mouth. We can still communicate with them using non-verbal communication. Which of the following ways would NOT work?

The patient using self-disclosing assertiveness.

The dentist asking the patient to gently tap them if they are in pain.

The patient raising their hand when they are in pain.

The doctor reading the patient's facial expression.

29 / 60

Your workmate invites you to a restaurant outside of work hours. You do not want to go. What type of communication is this?

“I would like to, but my partner does not like it when my colleagues over-involve themselves in my life."

Aggressive communication.

Passive-aggressive communication.

Passive communication.

Assertive communication.

30 / 60

Which of the following is true about gutta-percha cones?

In single-cone rotary technique, the accessory cones are larger than the master cone.

Gutta-percha causes allergies in about 30 percent of patients.

The largest gutta-percha cone used in root canal treatment is the accessory cone.

The excess gutta percha is burned off with a heated metal instrument.

31 / 60

What is the active ingredient of bleaching gels?

Orthophosphoric acid.

Hydrofluoric acid.

Carbamide peroxide.

Hydrocarbon oxoborate.

32 / 60

Select the true statement about implants.

PMMA is a very good implant material.

Implants are categorised by both their length and diameter in milllimeters.

Zirconia implants are more commonly used than titanium implants.

Zirconia implants cause much more allergies than titanium implants.

33 / 60

Where can you expect to use membrane in dentistry?

When etching the tooth surface for a filling.

When guiding bone graft healing and soft tissue growth.

During mechanical cleaning.

When extract a loose baby tooth without surgery.

34 / 60

Why are addition silicones more accurate than condensation silicones?

Addition silicones are always more hydrophobic.

Addition silicone's setting reaction produces an alcohol byproduct, which improves accuracy.

Addition silicone's setting reaction does not produce alcohol.

Addition silicones are always more hydrophilic.

35 / 60

What kind of bacteria, which cause gum disease around teeth and implants, are specifically targeted by Oxysafe products and hydrogen peroxide?

Oxygen-loving bacteria.

Oxygen-hating bacteria.

Hydrocarbon-loving bacteria.

Hydrocarbon-hating bacteria.

36 / 60

Why is it best to use sodium hypochlorite with an ultrasonic activator (e.g. Endoactivator)?

It enables the tooth to become whiter without the use of EDTA.

It makes hydroxyapatite turn into fluorapatite.

It helps to provide better obturation.

It pushes the sodium hypochlorite into the dentinal tubules, which are normally very hard to clean.

37 / 60

Poor communication can increase a patient's anxiety, which can directly worsen their health outcomes. Which model of understanding medicine adequately explains this relationship?

Bernoulli's model of healthcare.

Biomedical model.

Biochemical model.

Biopsychosocial model.

38 / 60

What is an abutment?

The ceramic crown or bridge on top of an implant.

The metal screw inside the bone.

The metal connector between the implant and crown/bridge/denture on top.

The drill a dentist uses to place implants.

39 / 60

Endocrowns are a ceramic restoration that is adhesively (chemically) bonded to the tooth. Which material is best to make these from?

Amalgam.

Zirconia.

E.max

PMMA.

40 / 60

How can we reduce the chances that a patient can sue us in the event of a mistake?

Speaking in a dominant tone

Building a good rapport.

Hiding mistakes and fixing them without the patient knowing

Telling patients how they are supposed to feel about a bad outcome.

41 / 60

What is the best floss to use?

Silk

The most important thing concerning flossing is not which floss is used, but whether or not the floss is used regularly.

Nylon

PTFE

42 / 60

During light curing, the top surface of dental composites is normally exposed to oxygen. We can add glycerin to prevent oxygen from reaching this surface layer. Why?

Using glycerin makes the surface softer, which makes it harder to polish.

Using glycerin improves the bond between every layer of the filling.

Using glycerin makes the surface harder, which makes it more difficult for staining substances to enter the composite. This keeps the colour of the filling longer.

Using glycerin increases the evaporation of the solvent of the universal adhesive, which helps the filling stick to the tooth.

43 / 60

A dentist wants to make a temporary crown that is milled in the laboratory. Which material is best?

Zirconia.

Emax.

PMMA.

Amalgam.

44 / 60

Which alloy is typically used to make orthodontic wires (wires for braces), as well as root canal rotary files?

Nickel-Titanium.

Cobalt-Chromium.

Mercury-silver-tin.

Wax-gypsum.

45 / 60

Doctor: "You do not need to be scared of root canals. All of them go well easily."

Patient. "All? But my cousin had a very painful one. You doctors are liars!"

Which communication error did the doctor make?

Fact-inference confusion.

Different definitions of the same word.

Over use of the biopsychosocial model of healthcare.

Generalisation.

46 / 60

Select the FALSE statement about the things that make Cention N a unique restorative material.

Cention N comes in one shade, approximately A2.

Cention N contains alkasite fillers that release fluoride just like glass ionomer.

Cention N is more resistant to moisture than regular composite.

Cention N can only be used when it is light-cured.

47 / 60

Patients make a very fast judgment about you, without them even knowing, when they first meet you. Which answers are related to this?

This is self-disclosing assertiveness.

The brain wants to determine if a doctor is competent, based on very little information.

Patients take in only verbal information in the first few seconds.

This has no connection to the thin-slice phenomenon.

48 / 60

Mercury is toxic to the brain and kidneys. Amalgam fillings contain mercury. Should patients be concerned about the health of their brains and kidneys due to amalgam fillings?

Yes, amalgam causes severe kidney and brain damage, and can also crack teeth long-term.

No, because amalgam contains cadmium, not mercury.

No, because it contains too little mercury to cause such issues.

Partially, because amalgam has been linked with serious brain diseases but no kidney diseases.

49 / 60

Acrylic is used to make denture bases. Which component of dental composites is the acrylic most similar to?

Filler.

Silane-linking agent.

Resin.

Photoinitiator.

50 / 60

Which of the following suture types must be removed at a later appointment?

Natural resorbable suture materials like cat gut.

Natural resorbable suture materials like silk.

Synthetic resorbable suture materials from polymers.

Non-resorbable suture materials.

51 / 60

Why is communicating with the elderly difficult?

They do not need to be included in their own care.

They may be blind, and so they cannot process most non-verbal communication.

It is almost impossible to avoid a fact-inference confusion.

They need a lot of self-disclosing assertiveness which is difficult to master.

52 / 60

What options of materials do we commonly have for custom-casted post and core restorations?

Composite and Glass Ionomer.

Metal and zirconia.

PMMA and silver-silicon.

Amalgam and composite.

53 / 60

Is trust cognitive or affective?

Neither.

Both.

Affective.

Cognitive.

54 / 60

What material are denture adhesives most frequently made out of?

Wax.

Silicone.

PMMA.

Acrylic.

55 / 60

Select the FALSE statement concerning the bonding agent for composite fillings.

It is made up of 10-MDP monomers, which polymerise upon light curing.

It does not need to be light cured.

It is commonly called "universal adhesive".

It must be air-dried to evaporate the solvent.

56 / 60

Gold is an example of a noble metal. Which of the following is true about this group of metals?

They are cheap, for example cobalt.

They commonly cause allergies, for example nickel.

They are resistant to chemical corrosion, for example palladium.

They are strong, for example chromium.

57 / 60

Lidocaine allergies are a rare but dangerous phenomenon because they can cause the airway to swell and stop the patient from breathing. What can you expect to see as a dental assistant quickly and easily?

The exact increase in heart rate in beats per minute.

The exact drop in blood pressure in mmHg.

The exact effect of a severe reaction on the internal organs.

A skin rash that suddenly appears quickly after the lidocaine has been injected.

58 / 60

Which of the following is true concerning communication with children?

Tone is very important, as they respond more to affective than cognitive reasoning.

They have long attention spans.

They respond well to threats and intimidation.

Verbal communication is more important when talking to children than when talking to adults.

59 / 60

Listed below are some causes of tooth sensitivity, matched with the compounds that help solve them in Mira-sensitive toothpaste. Select the FALSE answer.

Sensitive nerves are calmed by ferric sulfate.

Tooth structure is hardened by fluoride.

Exposed dentinal tubules are covered by nano-hydroxyapatite.

Sensitive nerves are calmed by potassium nitrate.

60 / 60

What are dental waxes made of?

Pure beeswax only.

Beeswax, aluminium, silver nitrate, wheat flour and paint.

Pure carnauba wax only.

Natural wax, synthetic wax, oils, resin, colouring agents and more.

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