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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What is one common warning sign of oral cancer?

  1. Any sore in the mouth that doesn't heal

  2. Numbness in or around the oral cavity

  3. White or rough-textured lesions on the lips or oral cavity

  4. All of the above

The correct answer is: Any sore in the mouth that doesn't heal

One common warning sign of oral cancer is the presence of any sore in the mouth that doesn't heal. This is significant because non-healing sores can indicate underlying tissue changes or malignancy. In the context of oral cancer, sores that persist for more than two weeks are particularly concerning and warrant further evaluation by a healthcare professional. Additionally, non-healing lesions may be symptomatic of chronic irritation or other oral health issues, but in the case of oral cancer, they should be viewed as potential indicators that require attention. Each of the other options also represents noteworthy signs, but the enduring nature of a sore is a key characteristic that signals a potential problem, making it a critical element in oral cancer awareness and early detection. Recognizing such symptoms can lead to timely diagnosis and better treatment outcomes.