Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: diabetes and periodontitis: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dentistry · Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: diabetes and periodontitis

Sample item

A patient with poorly controlled diabetes has multiple periodontal abscesses and rapid bone loss. Which statement describes the relationship between the two conditions?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. It is bidirectional, since periodontal inflammation also worsens glycaemic control

Diabetes increases susceptibility to periodontitis through impaired neutrophil function and advanced glycation products. Treating periodontitis can improve glycaemic control modestly, showing the two-way effect.

Option by option

  • A. Diabetes protects against periodontitis

    Diabetes increases rather than decreases the risk of periodontal disease.

  • B. It is bidirectional, since periodontal inflammation also worsens glycaemic control (correct)

    Correct. Each condition worsens the other.

  • C. Periodontitis causes type 1 diabetes

    Periodontitis does not cause type 1 diabetes, which is autoimmune.

  • D. There is no relationship

    A well-documented relationship exists between them.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is B, It is bidirectional, since periodontal inflammation also worsens glycaemic control. Diabetes increases susceptibility to periodontitis through impaired neutrophil function and advanced glycation products.

Why is "Diabetes protects against periodontitis" not the answer?

Diabetes increases rather than decreases the risk of periodontal disease.

Why is "Periodontitis causes type 1 diabetes" not the answer?

Periodontitis does not cause type 1 diabetes, which is autoimmune.

Why is "There is no relationship" not the answer?

A well-documented relationship exists between them.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: diabetes and periodontitis in Dentistry. Treating periodontitis can improve glycaemic control modestly, showing the two-way effect.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: diabetes and periodontitis?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.