Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: Wright's classification of behaviour: 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 · Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: Wright's classification of behaviour

Sample item

A 2-year-old is unable to follow instructions or communicate at the dental chair because of age. How is the child classified by Wright's behaviour categories?

ACooperativeBLacking cooperative abilityCDefinitely negativeDPotentially cooperative

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Lacking cooperative ability

Wright's classification has three groups: cooperative, lacking cooperative ability and potentially cooperative. Very young children under about three years, and those with severe disability, belong to the lacking cooperative ability group because they cannot yet understand or communicate. Frankl's scale is a separate four-point rating.

Option by option

A. Cooperative
Cooperative children are reasonably well behaved and can be treated with ordinary methods.
B. Lacking cooperative ability (correct)
Correct. Very young or severely disabled patients lack the ability to cooperate.
C. Definitely negative
The definitely negative grade belongs to Frankl's scale, not to Wright's classification.
D. Potentially cooperative
Potentially cooperative children, such as those who are timid or defiant, have the ability but show behaviour problems.

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.

Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is B, Lacking cooperative ability. Wright's classification has three groups: cooperative, lacking cooperative ability and potentially cooperative.

Why is "Cooperative" not the answer?

Cooperative children are reasonably well behaved and can be treated with ordinary methods.

Why is "Definitely negative" not the answer?

The definitely negative grade belongs to Frankl's scale, not to Wright's classification.

Why is "Potentially cooperative" not the answer?

Potentially cooperative children, such as those who are timid or defiant, have the ability but show behaviour problems.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: Wright's classification of behaviour in Dentistry. Very young children under about three years, and those with severe disability, belong to the lacking cooperative ability group because they cannot yet understand or communicate. Frankl's scale is a separate four-point rating.

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 Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: Wright's classification of behaviour?

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.