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

The most fundamental need in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is physiological needs. These needs are the basic requirements for human survival, including air, water, food, warmth, rest, and shelter. According to Maslow, until these essential physiological needs are satisfied, individuals are unlikely to focus on higher-level needs, such as safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.

In other words, physiological needs serve as the foundation of the hierarchy. Once these basic needs are met, individuals can then move on to address higher-level needs. Understanding this concept is crucial for those in healthcare and dental hygiene, as it highlights the importance of ensuring that patients' basic needs are addressed for their overall well-being before they can fully engage in or appreciate dental and health care services.