Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: orofacial signs of child abuse: 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: orofacial signs of child abuse

Sample item

A 10-month-old who cannot yet walk has a torn upper labial frenum and bruises on the cheeks. The parents say he fell from a sofa. What is the best next action?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Document carefully and refer to child protection services

A torn frenum in a non-mobile infant is a classic sign of forced feeding or a blow, and the history does not fit the injury. Careful records and referral are the clinician's duty.

Option by option

  • A. Ignore the history and treat the bruises only

    Ignoring the history misses the key clue.

  • B. Prescribe antibiotics and review in a week

    Antibiotics do not address the possible abuse.

  • C. Reassure and repair the frenum without referral

    Repairing without referral leaves the child at risk.

  • D. Document carefully and refer to child protection services (correct)

    Correct. A mismatch between injury and history needs documentation and referral.

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, Document carefully and refer to child protection services. A torn frenum in a non-mobile infant is a classic sign of forced feeding or a blow, and the history does not fit the injury.

Why is "Ignore the history and treat the bruises only" not the answer?

Ignoring the history misses the key clue.

Why is "Prescribe antibiotics and review in a week" not the answer?

Antibiotics do not address the possible abuse.

Why is "Reassure and repair the frenum without referral" not the answer?

Repairing without referral leaves the child at risk.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: orofacial signs of child abuse in Dentistry. Careful records and referral are the clinician's duty.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: orofacial signs of child abuse?

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.