National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) Dental Hygienist Practice Test

The diagnostic method that might not be suitable for evaluating coronal smooth surface lesions is DIAGNOdent. While DIAGNOdent is an advanced, laser-based tool primarily used for the detection of occlusal caries, its effectiveness is limited when it comes to smooth surface lesions. This is because the diagnostic capabilities of DIAGNOdent are optimized for detecting decay in fissures and grooves due to the nature of how sound and laser interact with tooth structures. Other methods, such as bitewing x-rays, are designed specifically to highlight interproximal caries and can also provide information about coronal smooth surface lesions, allowing for a clearer assessment of overall dental health. QFL (Quantitative Light Induced Fluorescence) is another diagnostic tool that can be effectively used to detect caries on smooth surfaces by assessing changes in fluorescence due to demineralization. A clinical examination allows the dental hygienist to visually inspect the teeth for any signs of caries, including smooth surface lesions, making it a highly valuable tool for evaluation. Thus, while DIAGNOdent serves its purpose in certain areas, it is not the most suitable choice for evaluating coronal smooth surface lesions specifically.