Community dentistry: defluoridation: 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: defluoridation

Sample item

Which technique is widely used in India for domestic and community defluoridation of water?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Nalgonda technique using alum and lime

The Nalgonda technique uses alum, lime and bleaching powder to precipitate fluoride, followed by sedimentation and filtration. Boiling concentrates fluoride.

Option by option

  • A. Nalgonda technique using alum and lime (correct)

    Correct. Alum and lime remove fluoride.

  • B. Slow sand filtration alone

    Slow sand filtration does not remove fluoride.

  • C. Chlorination

    Chlorination disinfects but does not remove fluoride.

  • D. Boiling the water

    Boiling raises the fluoride concentration.

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 A, Nalgonda technique using alum and lime. The Nalgonda technique uses alum, lime and bleaching powder to precipitate fluoride, followed by sedimentation and filtration.

Why is "Slow sand filtration alone" not the answer?

Slow sand filtration does not remove fluoride.

Why is "Chlorination" not the answer?

Chlorination disinfects but does not remove fluoride.

Why is "Boiling the water" not the answer?

Boiling raises the fluoride concentration.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Community dentistry: defluoridation in Dentistry. Boiling concentrates fluoride.

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: defluoridation?

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.