Community dentistry: salt fluoridation: 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.

Try it

Dentistry · Community dentistry: salt fluoridation

Sample item

A country with scattered communities and no central water supply wants a community-wide fluoride measure. Which alternative to water fluoridation is practical?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Fluoridated salt or milk

Salt and milk fluoridation deliver systemic fluoride when piped water is not available, and salt fluoridation is used in some countries. Compliance and dose control are the main issues.

Option by option

  • A. Annual extractions

    Extractions are not a preventive measure.

  • B. Fluoridated salt or milk (correct)

    Correct. These are recognised alternatives.

  • C. Fluoride mouthwash only

    Mouthwash is topical, not community-wide systemic delivery.

  • D. Banning sugar

    Sugar restriction is advice and not a delivery method.

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.

More Dentistry questions

Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is B, Fluoridated salt or milk. Salt and milk fluoridation deliver systemic fluoride when piped water is not available, and salt fluoridation is used in some countries.

Why is "Annual extractions" not the answer?

Extractions are not a preventive measure.

Why is "Fluoride mouthwash only" not the answer?

Mouthwash is topical, not community-wide systemic delivery.

Why is "Banning sugar" not the answer?

Sugar restriction is advice and not a delivery method.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Community dentistry: salt fluoridation in Dentistry. Compliance and dose control are the main issues.

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 Community dentistry: salt fluoridation?

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.