DHA Dental Hygienist exam questions
Periodontal assessment, scaling, prevention, radiography and infection control.
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DHA Dental Hygienist exam at a glance
- Exam code
- DEN5141
- Questions
- 150 MCQs
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Pass mark
- 55%
- Fee per attempt
- USD 240 (about AED 880)
- Result
- Pass or fail, no score
From the DHA CBT Guideline, Sep 2026. Delivered by Prometric; three attempts in total across the UAE authorities. Full DHA exam guide.
Try two questions from this bank
Original questions from the bank - pick an answer to see the rationale and reference.
After a sugary snack, plaque pH falls. Below approximately what pH does enamel begin to demineralise?
Choose an answer to see the rationale.
Periapical images taken with the bisecting angle technique show the teeth appearing too long. What caused this error?
Choose an answer to see the rationale.
Not sure where you stand? Sit 12 of these questions free, timed at real exam pace, and see which domains you are weakest in.
Take the free mock exam →Liked those? The full bank has 450 questions at this standard - every one with a rationale and a reference.
Get the full bank - AED 249What's inside
- ✓3 full-length papers (~150 Q each)
- ✓450 questions, no overlap between papers
- ✓Four options, one unambiguous best answer
- ✓A full rationale on every question
- ✓A real guideline or textbook reference
- ✓Every sub-topic in the published blueprint
The Dental Hygienist exam in every GCC country
| Regulator | Exam | Format | Pass mark | Fee per attempt | Practise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHA Dubai | Dental Hygienist (DEN5141) | 150 MCQs in 3 hours | 55% | USD 240 (about AED 880) | DHA questions → |
| DOH Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra | DOH licensing exam Regulator-wide format | Written + oral/OSCE | Pass / fail only | Not published | DOH questions → |
| MOHAP Northern Emirates - Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah | MOHAP licensing exam Regulator-wide format | Computer-based | Not published | Not published | MOHAP questions → |
| SHA Emirate of Sharjah | SHA licensing exam Regulator-wide format | Set at assessment | Not published | Not published | SHA questions → |
| SCFHS Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | SCFHS licensing exam Regulator-wide format | 200 MCQs, 240 min | 500-560 of 800 | Not published | SCFHS questions → |
| QCHP State of Qatar | Dental Hygienist | 150 MCQs in 3 hours | 50% | Not published | QCHP questions → |
| NHRA Kingdom of Bahrain | NHRA licensing exam Regulator-wide format | Prometric CBT | Not published | Not published | NHRA questions → |
| OMSB Sultanate of Oman | OMSB licensing exam Regulator-wide format | Computer-based OC exam | Not published | Not published | OMSB questions → |
| Kuwait MOH State of Kuwait | Kuwait MOH licensing exam Regulator-wide format | 150 MCQs, 170 min | 60-70% | Not published | Kuwait MOH questions → |
exact exam published for Dental Hygienist
From each regulator's own exam pages; anything a regulator does not publish says so. Assessment mode also depends on your licence title, so confirm your route on your eligibility notice.
Try 15 free Dental Hygienist questions with answersDifferent from the samples on this page - each with a full explanationStart →What the Dental Hygienist exam covers
The published blueprint for this exam breaks into 8 domains and 55 testable sub-topics. Our bank covers every one of them - here is the full map, so you can see exactly what you are expected to know.
Oral Anatomy, Histology and Physiology~10%6 topics
- Tooth morphology, numbering systems and eruption dates
- Periodontium: gingiva, junctional epithelium, PDL, cementum, alveolar bone
- Cementoenamel junction relationships and root anatomy
- Salivary glands and functions of saliva
- Normal oral mucosa and anatomical landmarks
- Head and neck anatomy relevant to extraoral examination
Periodontology~15%8 topics
- 2017 classification: periodontal health, gingivitis, staging and grading of periodontitis
- Probing depth, recession and clinical attachment level
- Furcation involvement and tooth mobility
- Plaque biofilm, calculus formation and microbial shifts
- Risk factors: smoking, diabetes, medications
- Drug-influenced gingival enlargement
- Necrotising periodontal diseases and periodontal abscess
- Supportive periodontal therapy intervals
Cariology and Preventive Dentistry~15%7 topics
- Caries process, critical pH and the Stephan curve
- Caries risk assessment
- Topical fluorides: toothpaste concentrations, varnish, gels
- Fluoride toxicity and safe dosing
- Pit and fissure sealants
- Chemical plaque control: chlorhexidine, essential oils
- Diet counselling and sugar intake
Periodontal Instrumentation and Clinical Procedures~15%8 topics
- Periodontal probes and probing technique
- Universal vs area-specific (Gracey) curettes
- Working angulation, adaptation and activation
- Ultrasonic and sonic scalers: indications and contraindications
- Instrument sharpening
- Polishing, air polishing and stain removal
- Desensitising agents for dentine hypersensitivity
- Implant maintenance and peri-implant assessment
Dental Radiography~10%6 topics
- Bitewing and periapical techniques: paralleling and bisecting angle
- Radiographic errors: elongation, foreshortening, overlap, cone cut
- Radiographic interpretation of caries and bone loss
- Radiation protection and dose reduction
- Digital sensors and image quality
- Selection criteria for radiographs
Pharmacology, Local Anaesthesia and Medical Emergencies~12%7 topics
- Local anaesthetic agents, cartridge content and maximum doses
- Vasoconstrictors and medically compromised patients
- Antibiotic prophylaxis and infective endocarditis risk
- Medical history, vital signs and anticoagulants
- Syncope, hypoglycaemia and asthma attacks in the chair
- Anaphylaxis recognition and adrenaline dosing
- Basic life support and emergency drug kit
Infection Control and Occupational Safety~13%7 topics
- Standard precautions and hand hygiene
- Spaulding classification of instruments
- Sterilisation cycles, monitoring and instrument reprocessing
- Dental unit waterline quality
- Sharps injuries and post-exposure management
- Hepatitis B vaccination and immunity
- Aerosol control and personal protective equipment
Community Oral Health, Special Care and Ethics~10%6 topics
- Community water fluoridation and public health programmes
- Oral health indices and epidemiology
- Care of pregnant, elderly and medically compromised patients
- Patients with disabilities and special needs
- Safeguarding: child abuse and neglect
- Consent, confidentiality, record keeping and scope of practice
6 worked Dental Hygienist practice questions
Original exam-style questions from the bank, spread across the blueprint domains. They are not real or recalled exam questions. Try each one, then open the answer for the rationale and reference. None of them appear in the free mock exam, so reading them will not spoil it.
Question 1 · Cariology and Preventive Dentistry
A high caries-risk 8-year-old is to receive professionally applied fluoride varnish. What is the fluoride concentration of standard 5% sodium fluoride varnish?
- A12,300 ppm
- B1,450 ppm
- C5,000 ppm
- D22,600 ppm
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. 22,600 ppm
Five per cent sodium fluoride varnish contains 22,600 ppm fluoride and is applied two or more times a year in children at higher risk. 12,300 ppm is the concentration of acidulated phosphate fluoride gel.
Reference: Delivering Better Oral Health: an evidence-based toolkit for prevention, 4th ed. 2021
Question 2 · Cariology and Preventive Dentistry
A patient uses 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthrinse twice daily for 3 weeks after periodontal surgery. Which side effect is most commonly reported?
- AEnamel erosion
- BGingival enlargement
- CBrown extrinsic staining
- DCandida overgrowth
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Brown extrinsic staining
Extrinsic brown staining of teeth and tongue is the most common side effect of chlorhexidine, along with taste disturbance and increased calculus. It does not cause gingival enlargement or erosion.
Reference: Newman and Carranza's Clinical Periodontology, 13th ed.
Question 3 · Community Oral Health, Special Care and Ethics
A pregnant patient needs elective periodontal debridement. When is treatment generally most comfortable and appropriate?
- AOnly after delivery
- BFirst trimester
- CThird trimester
- DSecond trimester
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Second trimester
The second trimester is generally ideal for elective care because organogenesis is complete and the patient can still lie comfortably. Periodontal treatment during pregnancy is safe and should not be postponed until after delivery.
Reference: ACOG Committee Opinion No. 569: Oral Health Care During Pregnancy
Question 4 · Oral Anatomy, Histology and Physiology
When scaling near the cementoenamel junction, a hygienist should know the most common relationship between enamel and cementum. What is it?
- AEnamel and cementum meet end to end
- BEnamel overlaps cementum
- CCementum overlaps enamel
- DA gap leaves dentine exposed
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Cementum overlaps enamel
In about 60% of teeth cementum overlaps enamel, in about 30% they meet edge to edge, and in a minority a gap exposes dentine. Exposed dentine at a gap can cause sensitivity after instrumentation.
Reference: Ten Cate's Oral Histology, 9th ed.
Question 5 · Periodontal Instrumentation and Clinical Procedures
Which design feature distinguishes an area-specific Gracey curette from a universal curette?
- AFace at 90 degrees to the terminal shank
- BTwo parallel cutting edges per working end
- CFace offset about 70 degrees to the shank
- DA pointed tip and triangular cross-section
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Face offset about 70 degrees to the shank
Gracey curettes have an offset face at about 60 to 70 degrees to the terminal shank, so only the lower cutting edge is used. Universal curettes have a face at 90 degrees with two usable cutting edges, and a pointed tip describes a sickle scaler.
Reference: Nield-Gehrig JS. Fundamentals of Periodontal Instrumentation and Advanced Root Instrumentation, 8th ed.
Question 6 · Periodontal Instrumentation and Clinical Procedures
When sharpening a curette with a moving stone technique, which internal angle between the face and the lateral surface should be preserved?
- A70 to 80 degrees
- B45 to 50 degrees
- C90 to 100 degrees
- D110 to 120 degrees
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. 70 to 80 degrees
The cutting edge of a curette is formed by the face and lateral surface meeting at about 70 to 80 degrees, and sharpening aims to keep this angle. A smaller angle weakens the edge, while a larger one makes it dull.
Reference: Nield-Gehrig JS. Fundamentals of Periodontal Instrumentation and Advanced Root Instrumentation, 8th ed.
Last reviewed September 2026
About these questions: every question is original, written to the published blueprint, with a rationale and a reference. No recalled or leaked exam content is used. How we write our questions.
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