Community dentistry: fluoride toxicity: 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: fluoride toxicity

Sample item

What is the commonly cited probable toxic dose of fluoride, above which a child needs urgent treatment?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. 5 mg per kg body weight

The probable toxic dose is 5 mg of fluoride per kg, the threshold for emergency management with calcium-containing fluids and hospital referral. The certainly lethal dose is much higher, about 32 to 64 mg per kg.

Option by option

  • A. 5 mg per kg body weight (correct)

    Correct. 5 mg/kg is the probable toxic dose.

  • B. 50 mg per kg body weight

    50 mg/kg approaches the lethal range.

  • C. 0.5 mg per kg body weight

    0.5 mg/kg is well below the toxic threshold.

  • D. 500 mg per kg body weight

    500 mg/kg is far beyond any survivable dose.

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 A, 5 mg per kg body weight. The probable toxic dose is 5 mg of fluoride per kg, the threshold for emergency management with calcium-containing fluids and hospital referral.

Why is "50 mg per kg body weight" not the answer?

50 mg/kg approaches the lethal range.

Why is "0.5 mg per kg body weight" not the answer?

0.5 mg/kg is well below the toxic threshold.

Why is "500 mg per kg body weight" not the answer?

500 mg/kg is far beyond any survivable dose.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Community dentistry: fluoride toxicity in Dentistry. The certainly lethal dose is much higher, about 32 to 64 mg per kg.

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: fluoride toxicity?

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.