EFDA Patient Assessment & Care Planning 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient's radiograph shows bone loss extending to the middle third of the root. How would you classify this periodontal bone loss?
- Mild
- Moderate (Correct answer)
- Severe
- Within normal limits
Correct answer: Moderate
Bone loss to the middle third of the root is classified as moderate periodontal disease.
Question 2: When reviewing a patient's dental history, they mention bruxism. Which clinical finding would you most expect during examination?
- Buccal exostoses
- Faceted wear on occlusal surfaces (Correct answer)
- Increased probing depths
- Gingival recession only on anterior teeth
Correct answer: Faceted wear on occlusal surfaces
Bruxism causes occlusal attrition, producing flat, faceted wear patterns on the occlusal and incisal surfaces of teeth.
Question 3: What is the purpose of a diagnostic wax-up in treatment planning?
- To take final impressions for restorations
- To visualize proposed tooth changes before treatment begins (Correct answer)
- To fabricate a custom tray for bleaching
- To record centric occlusion
Correct answer: To visualize proposed tooth changes before treatment begins
A diagnostic wax-up allows the clinician and patient to visualize and plan proposed restorative or esthetic changes on study models before any irreversible treatment.
Question 4: During periodontal charting, a probe reading of 5 mm with bleeding on probing is recorded. This finding is most consistent with:
- Healthy sulcus
- Gingivitis only
- Periodontitis (Correct answer)
- Pericoronitis
Correct answer: Periodontitis
A probing depth of 5 mm with bleeding on probing indicates periodontitis, as true pockets form when the junctional epithelium migrates apically.
Question 5: Which radiographic technique provides the most accurate view of alveolar bone levels during periodontal assessment?
- Panoramic radiograph
- Occlusal radiograph
- Bitewing radiograph (Correct answer)
- Periapical radiograph
Correct answer: Bitewing radiograph
Bitewing radiographs are the gold standard for evaluating interproximal alveolar bone levels because they image the crestal bone with minimal distortion.
Question 6: A patient taking bisphosphonates for osteoporosis requires extraction. What is the primary risk the EFDA should recognize and communicate?
- Increased caries after extraction
- Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) (Correct answer)
- Delayed eruption of adjacent teeth
- Hypersensitivity to local anesthetics
Correct answer: Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ)
Bisphosphonates suppress bone remodeling and can lead to medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) following invasive dental procedures.
Question 7: What information is captured in a dental treatment plan's 'sequencing' phase?
- The fee estimates for each procedure
- The order in which procedures will be performed (Correct answer)
- The patient's insurance coverage details
- The informed consent documentation
Correct answer: The order in which procedures will be performed
Sequencing determines the logical order of treatment, typically addressing emergencies first, then disease control, restorative phase, and finally maintenance.
EFDA Patient Assessment & Care Planning 3
A patient's radiograph shows bone loss extending to the middle third of the root.
How would you classify this periodontal bone loss?