Community dentistry: DMFT index: 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: DMFT index

Sample item

In a school survey, the DMFT index is used. What does it measure?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Caries experience in permanent teeth

DMFT counts decayed, missing (due to caries) and filled permanent teeth per person. The lowercase dmft is used for deciduous teeth.

Option by option

  • A. Severity of dental fluorosis

    Fluorosis is graded by Dean's index.

  • B. Caries experience in permanent teeth (correct)

    Correct. DMFT is the standard caries experience index.

  • C. Amount of dental plaque

    Plaque is scored by plaque or oral hygiene indices.

  • D. Periodontal disease severity

    Periodontal disease uses indices such as CPI.

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, Caries experience in permanent teeth. DMFT counts decayed, missing (due to caries) and filled permanent teeth per person.

Why is "Severity of dental fluorosis" not the answer?

Fluorosis is graded by Dean's index.

Why is "Amount of dental plaque" not the answer?

Plaque is scored by plaque or oral hygiene indices.

Why is "Periodontal disease severity" not the answer?

Periodontal disease uses indices such as CPI.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Community dentistry: DMFT index in Dentistry. The lowercase dmft is used for deciduous teeth.

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: DMFT index?

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.