Periodontics questions for the DHA dental exam.
Periodontics covers the anatomy of the periodontium, the classification, diagnosis and management of gingival and periodontal diseases, and the links between periodontal and systemic health. Candidates for the DHA dental exam should be able to assess periodontal status, apply the current classification and plan non-surgical and surgical care.
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209
periodontics practice questions
- 12%
- of the exam
- Oct 2026
- updated
Key facts to remember.
High-yield periodontics points to revise before the exam.
- 1
The 2017 World Workshop classification stages periodontitis (I-IV) by severity and complexity and grades it (A-C) by rate of progression and risk factors such as smoking and diabetes.
- 2
Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia and Treponema denticola form the red complex of bacteria associated with periodontitis.
- 3
Probing depth is measured from the gingival margin to the base of the pocket, whereas clinical attachment loss is measured from the cementoenamel junction.
- 4
Non-surgical therapy, including oral hygiene instruction, risk-factor control and subgingival instrumentation, comes before any decision about periodontal surgery.
- 5
Smoking is a major risk factor for periodontitis and can mask gingival bleeding because of its vasoconstrictive effects.
Sample questions with answers.
10 practice questions for the DHA General Dentistry Healthcare Professional Licensing Exam - Dubai, UAE (Periodontics). Pick an answer to see if you're right, with a full explanation.
Question 1
Which periodontal pocket depth requires surgical intervention?
Question 2
A patient with well-controlled diabetes has increased risk of?
Question 3
Supportive periodontal therapy aims to?
Question 4
A patient presents with deep periodontal pockets, mobility, and radiographic bone loss. MOST appropriate initial treatment?
Question 5
The PRIMARY goal of scaling and root planing is to?
Question 6
Which factor MOST contributes to periodontal disease progression?
Question 7
Which periodontal parameter BEST reflects disease activity?
Question 8
A patient presents with halitosis and metallic taste. Most likely cause?
Question 9
Which curette is area-specific?
Question 10
Which periodontal finding indicates active disease rather than past destruction?
Other topics in this exam.
Periodontics in other exams
Questions, answered
Stage using the worst interdental clinical attachment loss or radiographic bone loss, then adjust for complexity factors such as probing depth, furcation involvement and tooth loss due to periodontitis. Grade using the rate of progression, from longitudinal data or estimated as percentage bone loss divided by age, then modify for smoking and diabetic control. Practice on several cases until the steps become routine.
Gingivitis is inflammation confined to the gingiva without loss of attachment and is reversible with effective plaque control. Periodontitis involves loss of connective tissue attachment and alveolar bone, which is not fully reversible, although progression can be controlled. Bleeding on probing indicates inflammation in both, so the presence of attachment loss is what separates them.
Ready to practise periodontics?
All 209 periodontics questions, with explanations and a readiness score for this topic.