National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) Dental Hygienist Practice Test

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Prepare for the NBDHE Dental Hygienist Exam. Enhance your skills with comprehensive flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Ace your test with confidence!

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What can a hygienist suggest to help protect a patient’s orofacial area from trauma while playing softball?

Mouthguard
Face shield
Helmet
Orthodontic wax

The correct answer is: Mouthguard

A mouthguard is specifically designed to protect the oral cavity, including the teeth, gums, and orofacial area, from trauma during physical activities such as sports. When playing softball, a mouthguard acts as a cushioning barrier that absorbs some of the impact forces that could result from falls, collisions, or the ball striking the face. This protection is crucial, as trauma to the orofacial region can lead to serious injuries, including fractures or dislodgement of teeth. The other options, while they serve protective purposes in sports, do not specifically focus on the orofacial area. A face shield primarily protects the face from debris and impacts but does not provide the same level of protection for teeth and gums that a mouthguard does. A helmet provides head protection but does not cover the mouth and teeth, which are at risk during contact sports. Orthodontic wax is used to prevent irritation from braces and appliances but does not provide any significant protective function against trauma. Thus, the mouthguard emerges as the most effective and appropriate recommendation for safeguarding the orofacial area in this context.