Oral pathology: 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 · Oral pathology

Sample item

What is a major risk factor for oral squamous cell carcinoma?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Tobacco exposure

Tobacco exposure substantially increases oral squamous cell carcinoma risk, especially when combined with alcohol, and persistent lesions need timely evaluation.

Option by option

  • A. Fluoride use

    Fluoride prevents caries at appropriate exposure.

  • B. Tobacco exposure (correct)

    Correct: tobacco is a major oral cancer risk factor.

  • C. Orthodontic treatment

    Orthodontics is not a major oral cancer cause.

  • D. Regular brushing

    Regular brushing supports oral hygiene rather than cancer risk.

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, Tobacco exposure. Tobacco exposure substantially increases oral squamous cell carcinoma risk, especially when combined with alcohol, and persistent lesions need timely evaluation.

Why is "Fluoride use" not the answer?

Fluoride prevents caries at appropriate exposure.

Why is "Orthodontic treatment" not the answer?

Orthodontics is not a major oral cancer cause.

Why is "Regular brushing" not the answer?

Regular brushing supports oral hygiene rather than cancer risk.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral pathology in Dentistry. The correct option holds because: Correct: tobacco is a major oral cancer risk factor.

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 Oral pathology?

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.