Community dentistry: caries increment: 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: caries increment

Sample item

In a school survey, the mean DMFT of 12-year-olds was 1.8 at baseline and 2.6 in the same children two years later. What does the difference of 0.8 represent?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Caries increment, a measure of incidence

The net rise in DMFT over time in the same group is the caries increment. It estimates new disease, whereas prevalence counts all existing cases.

Option by option

  • A. Significant Caries Index

    The Significant Caries Index averages the worst third of the group.

  • B. Care index

    The care index is the proportion of decayed teeth that have been filled.

  • C. Caries prevalence at follow-up

    Prevalence measures the proportion of people affected at one time.

  • D. Caries increment, a measure of incidence (correct)

    Correct. The increase over time is the caries increment.

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, Caries increment, a measure of incidence. The net rise in DMFT over time in the same group is the caries increment.

Why is "Significant Caries Index" not the answer?

The Significant Caries Index averages the worst third of the group.

Why is "Care index" not the answer?

The care index is the proportion of decayed teeth that have been filled.

Why is "Caries prevalence at follow-up" not the answer?

Prevalence measures the proportion of people affected at one time.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Community dentistry: caries increment in Dentistry. It estimates new disease, whereas prevalence counts all existing cases.

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: caries increment?

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.