MJDF Part 1 - Membership of Joint Dental Faculties Restorative Dentistry Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline [CG19], what is the maximum recommended recall interval for an adult patient who has repeatedly demonstrated they can maintain good oral health?
- 6 months
- 12 months
- 24 months (Correct answer)
- 36 months
Correct answer: 24 months
NICE guideline [CG19] on dental checks recommends a risk-based approach to recall intervals. For adult patients (18 years and older) with low disease activity who have consistently shown they can maintain their oral health, the recall interval can be extended up to a maximum of 24 months.
Question 2: A 14-year-old patient presents with a deep carious lesion in their first permanent molar (LL6). The tooth is vital and asymptomatic. Under current UK regulations based on the Minamata Convention on Mercury, which of the following restorative materials is contraindicated for this patient, except in specific medically necessary circumstances?
- Resin-modified glass ionomer
- Composite resin
- Glass ionomer cement
- Dental amalgam (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Dental amalgam
As of 1st July 2018, UK regulations, in line with the EU regulation derived from the Minamata Convention, prohibit the use of dental amalgam for the treatment of children under 15 years of age, as well as in pregnant or breastfeeding women, unless deemed strictly necessary by the practitioner based on specific medical needs.
Question 3: A dentist is planning to provide a new set of complete dentures for an elderly patient. Which General Dental Council (GDC) principle is most directly addressed when the dentist explains the different material options, the stages of treatment, the likely costs, and the risks and benefits of the procedure before proceeding?
- Principle 7: Maintain, develop and work within your professional knowledge and skills.
- Principle 1: Put patients' interests first.
- Principle 3: Obtain valid consent. (Correct answer)
- Principle 6: Work with colleagues in a way that is in patients' best interests.
Correct answer: Principle 3: Obtain valid consent.
GDC Principle 3, 'Obtain valid consent,' requires dental professionals to give patients the information they need to make an informed decision about their treatment. This includes explaining options, costs, risks, and benefits. While other principles are relevant to overall care, the act of providing this specific information to allow the patient to decide directly relates to obtaining valid consent.
Question 4: According to the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP) guidance on the 'Prevention and Management of Dental Caries in Children', which of the following is the recommended first-line approach for managing an active, non-cavitated carious lesion on the occlusal surface of a permanent molar in a high-risk child?
- Placement of a conventional composite restoration
- Application of a resin-based fissure sealant (Correct answer)
- Excavation of caries and placement of a glass ionomer restoration
- Six-monthly monitoring with topical fluoride application
Correct answer: Application of a resin-based fissure sealant
The SDCEP guidance advocates for a minimally invasive approach. For high-risk children, placing a resin-based fissure sealant over an early, non-cavitated occlusal lesion is an effective method to arrest the caries process and prevent progression, which is less invasive than a restoration.
Question 5: A 35-year-old patient requires root canal treatment on a lower right first molar (LR6). The canals are located and prepared. Which of the following is considered the minimum standard for irrigation during endodontic treatment in the UK, according to good practice guidelines?
- Sterile water
- Chlorhexidine gluconate solution
- Sodium hypochlorite solution (Correct answer)
- EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)
Correct answer: Sodium hypochlorite solution
Good practice guidelines from bodies like the British Endodontic Society, referenced by organisations such as the Royal College of Surgeons, establish sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) as the main and most important irrigant due to its potent antimicrobial properties and ability to dissolve organic pulp tissue remnants. While other irrigants like EDTA are used adjunctively, NaOCl is the primary solution for disinfection.
Question 6: A new dental practice is being set up in England. To comply with HTM 07-01 (Safe Management of Healthcare Waste) and current regulations regarding mercury, what is the minimum required retention level for amalgam separators that must be installed?
- At least 85% of amalgam particles
- At least 90% of amalgam particles
- At least 95% of amalgam particles (Correct answer)
- At least 99% of amalgam particles
Correct answer: At least 95% of amalgam particles
UK regulations, reflecting EU directives, mandate that dental facilities using amalgam must be equipped with amalgam separators. Since 1 January 2018 for new installations, and by 1 January 2021 for all existing units, these separators must provide a retention level of at least 95% of amalgam particles to prevent environmental contamination.
MJDF Part 1 - Membership of Joint Dental Faculties Restorative Dentistry Questions and Answers
According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline [CG19], what is the maximum recommended recall interval for an adult patient who has repeatedly demonstrated they can maintain good oral health?