Icebreaker Quiz for Health Professionals
(Correct Answers are Highlighted)
Test Your Knowledge on the link between Oral Health & Overall Health!
1. The #1 chronic health problem among children is:
a. ___ Asthma
b. ___ Tooth Decay
c. ___ Obesity
d. ___ Diabetes
Source: Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General
2. Tooth decay can be prevented.
a. ___ True
b. ___ False
Source: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
3. Tooth decay is caused by bacteria.
a. ___ True
b. ___ False
Source: NIH’s National Center for Biotechnology Information
4. Tooth decay is not contagious. You can’t get it from someone else.
a. ___ True
b. ___ False (Tooth decay is an infectious disease. It can be contagious.)
Source: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
5. Dental problems are a significant issue for many adults. What percentage of U.S. military recruits were not immediately deployable because of a significant dental problem in 2010?
a. ___ Less than 20%
b. ___ Approx. 30%
c. ___ Approx. 50%
d. ___ More than 60% (In 2010, 62% of new soldiers were not immediately deployable because of a significant dental issue. Bipartisan Policy Center. Case Study: U.S. Dept of Defense Initiatives 2012.)
6. People who smoke are at a greater risk for developing periodontal (gum) disease and oral cancer.
a. ___ True
b. ___ False
Source: NIH’s National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
7. Dental disease islinked to broader health problems, including cardiovascular disease and strokes.
a. ___ True
b. ___ False
Source: NIH’s National Center for Biotechnology Information
8. People with diabetes are at a higher risk for developing periodontal (gum) disease and vice versa.
a. ___ True
b. ___ False
Source: ADA Journal
9. It is unsafe for pregnant women to visit the dentist for dental treatment.
a. ___ True
b. ___ False (The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released recommendations in 2013 emphasizing that it’s safe for women to get dental care at any point during a pregnancy.)
10. What is fluoride?
a. A man-made chemical
b. A natural mineral found in drinking water
c. A bad germ
d. Other ______
Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency
11. The use of fluoride (in toothpaste and in tap water) has been documented to be both safe and effective for the prevention and control of tooth decay.
a. ___ True
b. ___ False
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
12. Left untreated, tooth decay can lead to infections in other parts of your
body.
a. ___ True
b. ___ False
Source: NIH’s National Library of Medicine
13. Toothaches are the 3rd most common pain of the mouth or face reported
by U.S. adults.
a. ___ True
b. ___ False (According to the CDC, toothaches are the #1 most common pain of the mouth or face reported by U.S. adults.)
14. The condition of a person’s mouth can have a great impact on their daily
activities (including eating, drinking, etc.)
a. ___ True
b. ___ False
Source: NIH’s National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
15. What percentage of U.S. adults aged 65 and older has gum disease?
a. ___ Less than 10%
b. ___ Approximately 25 %
c. ___ Approximately 50%
d. ___ More than 60% (According to a study released by the Journal of Dental Research in 2012, in adults 65 and older, 64% had either moderate or severe periodontitis.)
This quiz was developed by the Children's Dental Health Projectthrough CDC Cooperative AgreementNumber 5U58DP002285-04. Our thanks to State Oral Health Programs in Maryland, Michigan, North Dakota and Rhode Island, and the Hershel S. Horowitz Center for Health Literacy, University of Maryland, for content review.