Community dentistry: skeletal fluorosis: 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 · Community dentistry: skeletal fluorosis

Sample item

A farmer from an endemic area with drinking water containing 6 ppm fluoride has back stiffness, bony exostoses and genu valgum. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Skeletal fluorosis

Chronic intake of fluoride above about 4 ppm causes skeletal fluorosis with osteosclerosis, ligament calcification and deformities such as genu valgum in endemic areas. Dental fluorosis accompanies it.

Option by option

  • A. Rickets

    Rickets occurs in children with deficient vitamin D.

  • B. Osteomalacia

    Osteomalacia is caused by vitamin D deficiency.

  • C. Ankylosing spondylitis

    Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disorder linked to HLA B27.

  • D. Skeletal fluorosis (correct)

    Correct. Prolonged high fluoride intake produces skeletal fluorosis.

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 D, Skeletal fluorosis. Chronic intake of fluoride above about 4 ppm causes skeletal fluorosis with osteosclerosis, ligament calcification and deformities such as genu valgum in endemic areas.

Why is "Rickets" not the answer?

Rickets occurs in children with deficient vitamin D.

Why is "Osteomalacia" not the answer?

Osteomalacia is caused by vitamin D deficiency.

Why is "Ankylosing spondylitis" not the answer?

Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disorder linked to HLA B27.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Community dentistry: skeletal fluorosis in Dentistry. Dental fluorosis accompanies it.

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: skeletal fluorosis?

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.