National Board Dental Examination / Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) Ethics, Behavioral Science, and Practice of Dentistry Flashcards

24 sample cards from the Ethics, Behavioral Science, and Practice of Dentistry deck

Sampled from the end of the deck, so these are different cards from the ones shown on the syllabus page.

1. What is the difference between a case-control study and a cohort study?

   Case-control starts with outcome (diseased vs. not) and looks back at exposures (retrospective, yields odds ratio); cohort starts with exposure status and follows forward for outcomes (yields relative risk).

2. What is the difference between mean, median, and mode?

   Mean = arithmetic average; Median = middle value when data are ordered (best for skewed data); Mode = most frequently occurring value.

3. What does a p-value < 0.05 indicate in a study?

   There is less than a 5% probability the observed result occurred by chance if the null hypothesis were true; results are conventionally considered statistically significant and the null hypothesis is rejected.

4. What is the difference between a Type I and Type II error?

   Type I (alpha) = rejecting a true null hypothesis (false positive); Type II (beta) = failing to reject a false null hypothesis (false negative). Power = 1 − beta.

5. What are the levels of the evidence-based dentistry hierarchy from highest to lowest?

   Systematic reviews/meta-analyses of RCTs > individual RCTs > cohort studies > case-control studies > case series/reports > expert opinion. (Filtered evidence ranks above unfiltered.)

6. What are the three components of evidence-based dentistry (EBD)?

   Best available scientific evidence, the clinician's expertise, and the patient's needs and preferences.

7. What does the PICO format used to frame a clinical question stand for?

   Patient/Population/Problem, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome.

8. What does the DMFT/dmft index measure in oral health surveillance?

   Caries experience: the number of Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth. Uppercase (DMFT) is for permanent teeth; lowercase (dmft) is for primary teeth.

9. What does a CPITN/CPI probe and index assess?

   The Community Periodontal Index assesses periodontal treatment needs by scoring sextants for gingival bleeding, calculus, and pocket depth using a specialized WHO probe.

10. What does a high score on a plaque index or gingival index indicate?

    A plaque index measures the amount of dental biofilm present; a gingival index (e.g., Löe-Silness) measures the severity of gingival inflammation. Higher scores indicate worse oral hygiene/inflammation.

11. What does OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard require of dental employers?

    An exposure control plan, engineering/work-practice controls, free hepatitis B vaccination, PPE, post-exposure follow-up, hazard communication, and training—to protect workers from bloodborne pathogens.

12. What is the most common work-related musculoskeletal problem among dentists, and a key ergonomic countermeasure?

    Musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, back, and shoulders from prolonged static/awkward posture. Countermeasures include neutral posture, proper patient/operator positioning, magnification, and frequent micro-breaks.

13. What is the standard ergonomic 'clock' positioning concept for a right-handed dentist?

    The operator works around the patient's head using clock positions—roughly 9–12 o'clock for a right-handed dentist (8–4 range)—to maintain direct vision and neutral posture.

14. What are 'standard precautions' in infection control?

    Treating all blood, body fluids, secretions, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes as potentially infectious for every patient—using hand hygiene, PPE, and safe practices regardless of known infection status.

15. What is the difference between sterilization and disinfection?

    Sterilization destroys ALL microorganisms including bacterial spores (e.g., autoclaving); disinfection eliminates most pathogens but not necessarily all spores (used on surfaces/heat-sensitive items).

16. What does the Spaulding classification (critical, semi-critical, non-critical) determine in dental instrument processing?

    The required level of reprocessing by infection risk: Critical items (penetrate tissue/bone, e.g., scalers, forceps) must be sterilized; Semi-critical items (contact mucosa, e.g., mirrors, handpieces) sterilized or high-level disinfected; Non-critical items (contact intact skin) need low/intermediate disinfection.

17. What biological indicator confirms autoclave sterilization is effective?

    A spore test (biological indicator) using Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores; failure of the spores to grow after processing confirms sterilization. CDC recommends weekly testing.

18. What are the standard autoclave (steam sterilization) parameters?

    Approximately 121°C (250°F) at 15 psi for 15–30 minutes, or a flash/higher-temperature cycle ~132°C (270°F) for a shorter time, depending on load and wrapping.

19. What is the immediate first step after a percutaneous (needlestick) exposure to blood?

    Wash the wound with soap and water (flush mucous membranes with water/saline), then report the exposure and initiate the post-exposure evaluation protocol (source/recipient testing, possible PEP).

20. What is the purpose of quality assurance (QA) in a dental practice?

    A systematic, ongoing process of monitoring and evaluating care against established standards to identify deficiencies and continuously improve patient outcomes and safety.

21. What is 'risk management' in dentistry?

    Proactive identification, assessment, and reduction of liability and patient-harm risks through informed consent, thorough documentation, good communication, and adherence to standards of care.

22. What does the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle accomplish in quality improvement?

    It is an iterative four-step model for testing and implementing change: Plan a change, Do (test it on a small scale), Study the results, and Act (adopt, adjust, or abandon).

23. What is interprofessional collaboration in healthcare, and why does it matter in dentistry?

    Multiple health professions working together with patients and families to deliver coordinated, comprehensive care. It matters because oral health is linked to systemic conditions (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease), improving outcomes.

24. What essential information should a dental referral letter to a specialist include?

    Patient identification, reason for referral, relevant medical/dental history, current findings, radiographs/records, the specific service requested, and the referring dentist's contact information.

What this deck covers

Ethics, Behavioral Science, and Practice of Dentistry flashcards FAQ