ADA NBDHE Dental Hygienist

Answer: C - The earliest dental plaque organism found is Streptococcus sanguiswhen attempting early diagnoses. Orally, Streptococcus sanguis prevents other strands of cavity causing Streptococcus from enamel attachment. However, during oral surgery or dental cleaning, it can enter the bloodstream, where it can live in heart valves, leading to endocarditis. Antibiotics are prescribed several days pre- and post- surgery to prevent endocarditis. Streptococcus sanguis is rarely in the saliva or the throat.