HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

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Master HOSA Dental terminology with interactive quizzes and multiple-choice questions. Study with confidence and enhance your ability for exam success and knowledge expansion. Prepare effectively and achieve your certification goals.

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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Which instrument is specifically used to mix alginate?

Broad lab spatula
Narrow spatula
Cleoid/discoid
Wooden wedge

The correct answer is: Broad lab spatula

The broad lab spatula is specifically designed for mixing dental materials, including alginate. Its wide, flat blade allows for efficient incorporation of powder and liquid, ensuring a smooth and homogeneous mixture. This is crucial when preparing alginate for impressions, as the consistency directly affects the quality of the impression taken. The broad surface area allows the user to mix more material at once, making it a practical choice for the task. In contrast, the narrow spatula may not provide the same mixing efficiency for larger volumes, as it is better suited for precision tasks or smaller amounts of material. Cleoid/discoid instruments are primarily used for carving and aren't intended for mixing materials, while wooden wedges are utilized in dental procedures for different applications, such as stabilizing teeth or holding materials in place, rather than for mixing.