Community dentistry: index ages: 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: index ages

Sample item

WHO surveys use specific index ages for oral health data. Which age is the global index age for monitoring caries in children?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. 12 years

WHO index ages are 5 years and 12 years for children, 15 years for adolescents, 35 to 44 years for adults and 65 to 74 years for older adults. At 12 all permanent teeth except third molars have usually erupted.

Option by option

  • A. 18 years

    18 years is not a WHO index age.

  • B. 6 years

    Six years is mid-way through the mixed dentition and is not an index age.

  • C. 12 years (correct)

    Correct. 12 years is the global caries monitoring age.

  • D. 30 years

    30 years is not an index age; the adult group is 35 to 44.

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 C, 12 years. WHO index ages are 5 years and 12 years for children, 15 years for adolescents, 35 to 44 years for adults and 65 to 74 years for older adults.

Why is "18 years" not the answer?

18 years is not a WHO index age.

Why is "6 years" not the answer?

Six years is mid-way through the mixed dentition and is not an index age.

Why is "30 years" not the answer?

30 years is not an index age; the adult group is 35 to 44.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Community dentistry: index ages in Dentistry. At 12 all permanent teeth except third molars have usually erupted.

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 Community dentistry: index ages?

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.