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Dental Hygienist exam study guide

What's on the exam and how to study for it. Free to read, no sign-up.

The exam at a glance

FDHRC National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination (NDHCE), 2026 blueprint (effective May 2026) based on the 2021 Entry-to-Practice Canadian Competencies for Dental Hygienists. 70–80% independent / 20–30% case-based items; cognitive levels: knowledge 10–20%, application 55–65%, critical thinking 20–30%. Time: 4 hours: two 100-question sections of 2 hours each, 15-min break; cannot return to section 1.

Main topic areas

Area
AProfessionalism
BEvidence-informed practice
CCommunication
DCollaboration
EPractice management
FPrevention, education & health promotion
GClinical therapy

How to study

  1. Clinical Therapy is ~40%: instrumentation, periodontal assessment (2017 staging/grading), local anesthesia math.
  2. Know medically compromised client management and current antibiotic prophylaxis guidance.
  3. Prevention and health promotion is ~20%: fluoride, caries risk, community programs.
  4. Expect radiographs, intraoral photos and charts in items.
  5. Practise every day in short sets. When you miss one, work out why each wrong option is wrong.

Try 3 sample questions

Original practice questions from our Dental Hygienist bank, not real exam questions.

Question 1

Dental hygienists in Canada are regulated by:

  1. A. Provincial and territorial regulatory bodies
  2. B. The CDHA
  3. C. The FDHRC alone
  4. D. Health Canada, through the federal Department of Health
Show the answer

A. Provincial and territorial regulatory bodies

For example, the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario; the CDHA is the national association.

Question 2

The highest level of evidence in the evidence pyramid is:

  1. A. Case reports
  2. B. Expert opinion from national specialty organizations
  3. C. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
  4. D. Cross-sectional studies
Show the answer

C. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses

The answer is: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Systematic reviews synthesize RCTs.

Question 3

Open-ended questions are useful during a health history interview because they:

  1. A. Get clear yes or no answers that are faster to record
  2. B. Encourage clients to share more information
  3. C. Save time always
  4. D. Prevent dialogue
Show the answer

B. Encourage clients to share more information

Example: Tell me about your brushing routine.

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Source

Checked October 2026. Exam details change, so confirm with your provincial regulator before you write. MedTestCoach is an independent study tool and isn't affiliated with any exam owner or regulator.