National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) Practice Exam

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Prepare for the National Dental Assisting Exam with comprehensive quiz questions, including multiple choice and detailed explanations. Equip yourself for success!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

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Topical anesthetics are commonly applied prior to which of the following procedures?

Suture removal
Radiographic imaging
Standard cleaning
Patient consultation

The correct answer is: Suture removal

Topical anesthetics are typically applied to mucous membranes or skin before certain procedures to minimize discomfort and pain during the process. Suture removal is a procedure that can cause patients discomfort, particularly if the sutures are positioned tightly or have been in place for an extended period. Applying a topical anesthetic before suture removal helps to numb the area, ensuring that the procedure is more comfortable for the patient. In contrast, procedures such as radiographic imaging do not usually require topical anesthetics since they are non-invasive and typically do not cause discomfort. Standard cleaning of teeth can involve discomfort, but it is more commonly managed through local anesthesia or nitrous oxide rather than a topical anesthetic alone. Patient consultations are usually non-invasive discussions and do not necessitate anesthetics as they do not involve procedures that might induce pain.