Study Points

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Participation Instructions
- Review the course material online or in print.
- Complete the course evaluation.
- Review your Transcript to view and print your Certificate of Completion. Your date of completion will be the date (Pacific Time) the course was electronically submitted for credit, with no exceptions. Partial credit is not available.

Mercury comprises what percentage of the total weight of traditional dental amalgam alloy?
- 4.2% to 4.5%
- 12% to 30%
- 42% to 45%
- 85% to 95%
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Which of the following countries have banned the use of dental amalgam due to concern about the impact of mercury on patients?
- Brazil
- China
- Norway
- The United States
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Which of the following best describes the state of knowledge regarding dental amalgam and patient health?
- Dental amalgam has been identified as a carcinogen and is banned by the FDA.
- Because dental amalgam has been found to be definitively safe in all instances, no further research is being conducted.
- There is clear evidence that dental amalgam is a significant cause of neurologic disease in patients with sensitivity to mercury.
- To date, studies have not found scientific evidence demonstrating the use of dental amalgam is a precipitating factor in the development of systemic disease.
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Fluoride dietary supplements
- are considered systemic fluorides.
- are available in pill, tablet, or liquid form.
- can help reduce the potential for teeth to develop carious lesions.
- All of the above
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The recommended target concentration of fluoride in water supplies in the United States is
- 0.7 mg/L water.
- 1.7 mg/L water.
- 2.9 mg/L water.
- 4 mg/L water.
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The most common adverse effect associated with long-term ingestion of excessive fluoride is
- osteoporosis.
- renal disorders.
- dental fluorosis.
- skeletal fluorosis.
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What percentage of the U.S. population between 6 and 49 years of age has some form of dental fluorosis?
- 0.2%
- 2%
- 23%
- 98%
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Which of the following statements regarding the possible link between fluoride exposure and intelligence quotient (IQ) is TRUE?
- There is no evidence of impact of fluoride consumption on IQ or cognitive ability.
- Fluoride does appear to negatively affect IQ, primarily among older adults following lifelong exposure.
- Results of studies regarding the impact of fluoride consumption during pregnancy on the IQ of offspring are conflicting.
- The evidence clearly supports an increase in IQ of children born to women who consumed high levels of fluoride during pregnancy.
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Which of the following conditions warrants the use of empiric antibiotic therapy?
- Alveolar osteitis
- Pulpitis without swelling
- Necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis
- Uncomplicated adult periodontitis
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Nausea and vomiting occur in approximately what percentage of pregnancies?
- 10%
- 25%
- 50%
- 75%
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Medications that have been found to have no fetal risk in animal studies are considered pregnancy category
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
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During the first trimester of pregnancy,
- all dental treatments should be avoided.
- radiographs are contraindicated in all cases.
- dental treatment should be limited to basic periodontal prophylaxis (if needed) and emergency treatments.
- clinicians should avoid scaring patients by discussing potential oral health issues that may arise during pregnancy.
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Shifts in hormone levels during pregnancy may cause
- overgrowth of certain bacterial species.
- changes in the proportion of Prevotella intermedia.
- increases in the ratio of bacterial anaerobes to aerobes.
- All of the above
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During the second trimester, increasing fetal size and weight can place pressure on the inferior vena cava. This can be ameliorated by placing the patient
- on her left side.
- on her right side.
- in a supine position.
- upright with her head between her knees.
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Periodontal pathogens
- inhibit platelet aggregation.
- can infiltrate the vascular endothelium.
- are very rarely present in atheromatous lesions.
- may indirectly, but not directly, cause damage to the vascular endothelium.
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Both diabetes and periodontal disease share a common pathogenesis that involves
- impaired glycemic response.
- increased vascular reactivity.
- an increase in endothelium-derived nitric oxide production.
- enhanced inflammatory response at the local and systemic levels.
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The oral complications of diabetes are generally the result of
- impaired healing.
- increased fibrinolysis.
- increased vasodilation.
- accumulation of glycation end products in the gingiva.
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Nicotine from smokeless tobacco
- results in more protracted effects.
- is absorbed more quickly through the oral mucosa.
- has a lower risk for addiction than smoked tobacco.
- None of the above
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Which of the following statements regarding e-cigarettes is TRUE?
- The vapor generated includes tar.
- No carcinogens are produced during the vaping process.
- Adolescent use of e-cigarettes increased between 2017 and 2018.
- E-cigarettes can be considered a safe alternative to cigarette smoking.
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Which of the following factors contributes to poor oral health in rural areas?
- Acute provider shortages
- Large pediatric population
- Fluoridated community water
- Lower rate of poverty compared to metro areas
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Back to Course Home
Participation Instructions
- Review the course material online or in print.
- Complete the course evaluation.
- Review your Transcript to view and print your Certificate of Completion. Your date of completion will be the date (Pacific Time) the course was electronically submitted for credit, with no exceptions. Partial credit is not available.

Complete Your CE

Controversial Issues in Dentistry

Study Points

Mercury comprises what percentage of the total weight of traditional dental amalgam alloy?

Which of the following countries have banned the use of dental amalgam due to concern about the impact of mercury on patients?

Which of the following best describes the state of knowledge regarding dental amalgam and patient health?

Fluoride dietary supplements

The recommended target concentration of fluoride in water supplies in the United States is

The most common adverse effect associated with long-term ingestion of excessive fluoride is

What percentage of the U.S. population between 6 and 49 years of age has some form of dental fluorosis?

Which of the following statements regarding the possible link between fluoride exposure and intelligence quotient (IQ) is TRUE?

Which of the following conditions warrants the use of empiric antibiotic therapy?

Nausea and vomiting occur in approximately what percentage of pregnancies?

Medications that have been found to have no fetal risk in animal studies are considered pregnancy category

During the first trimester of pregnancy,

Shifts in hormone levels during pregnancy may cause

During the second trimester, increasing fetal size and weight can place pressure on the inferior vena cava. This can be ameliorated by placing the patient

Periodontal pathogens

Both diabetes and periodontal disease share a common pathogenesis that involves

The oral complications of diabetes are generally the result of

Nicotine from smokeless tobacco

Which of the following statements regarding e-cigarettes is TRUE?

Which of the following factors contributes to poor oral health in rural areas?