Community dentistry: periodontal treatment needs: 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: periodontal treatment needs

Sample item

In a community survey using CPITN, a sextant is scored 4, with a pocket of 6 mm or deeper. What treatment need is assigned?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. TN3, complex periodontal treatment

In CPITN, score 4 (pocket 6 mm or more) gives treatment need 3, which is complex periodontal care. Scores 2 and 3 need scaling and oral hygiene instruction, and score 1 needs oral hygiene instruction only.

Option by option

  • A. TN0, no treatment

    TN0 is for healthy sextants with score 0.

  • B. TN3, complex periodontal treatment (correct)

    Correct. A deep pocket needs complex treatment, TN3.

  • C. TN1, oral hygiene instruction only

    TN1 is for score 1 (bleeding only).

  • D. TN2, scaling and polishing only

    TN2 is for calculus or shallow pockets, scores 2 and 3.

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 B, TN3, complex periodontal treatment. In CPITN, score 4 (pocket 6 mm or more) gives treatment need 3, which is complex periodontal care.

Why is "TN0, no treatment" not the answer?

TN0 is for healthy sextants with score 0.

Why is "TN1, oral hygiene instruction only" not the answer?

TN1 is for score 1 (bleeding only).

Why is "TN2, scaling and polishing only" not the answer?

TN2 is for calculus or shallow pockets, scores 2 and 3.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Community dentistry: periodontal treatment needs in Dentistry. Scores 2 and 3 need scaling and oral hygiene instruction, and score 1 needs oral hygiene instruction only.

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: periodontal treatment needs?

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.