ADC - Australian Dental Council Oral Medicine and Pathology Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 48-year-old female patient presents with asymptomatic, bilateral, white, lace-like lesions on her buccal mucosa.
She has no other medical history of note.
The lesions do not rub off on examination.
What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Reticular Oral Lichen Planus

Answer

Oral Candidiasis

Answer

Leukoplakia

Answer

Linea Alba

Question 2

A 62-year-old female patient complains of a persistent dry mouth and a 'gritty' sensation in her eyes for the past year. Clinical examination reveals a lobulated tongue with papillary atrophy and bilateral, firm, non-tender swelling of the parotid glands. She has a high caries rate despite good oral hygiene. Which systemic autoimmune condition is most likely responsible for these findings?

Accepted Answer

Sjögren's Syndrome

Answer

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Answer

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Answer

Sarcoidosis

Question 3

A large, multilocular radiolucency is noted in the posterior mandible of a 25-year-old male, extending into the ramus. A biopsy is performed. Which of the following histopathological features is most characteristic of an Odontogenic Keratocyst (OKC)?

Accepted Answer

A thin, uniform parakeratinised epithelial lining with a palisaded, hyperchromatic basal cell layer

Answer

Presence of ghost cells and dystrophic calcification

Answer

Mucous-producing cells and pools of mucin

Answer

An inflamed fibrous capsule with prominent, arcading rete ridges

Question 4

In the context of developing oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), what is the significance of a patient's combined heavy smoking and alcohol consumption habits?

Accepted Answer

They have a synergistic effect, significantly increasing the risk more than the sum of their individual effects.

Answer

They are independent risk factors with no interactive effect.

Answer

Alcohol is the primary carcinogen, and tobacco is a minor promoter.

Answer

Tobacco is the primary carcinogen, and alcohol has no proven effect on risk.

Question 5

A 65-year-old patient presents with painful, desquamating gingivitis and several intact bullae on the soft palate. Gentle lateral pressure on the clinically unaffected gingiva results in the formation of a new blister. What is this clinical sign called, and with which group of conditions is it most strongly associated?

Accepted Answer

Nikolsky's sign; Autoimmune blistering diseases

Answer

Auspitz's sign; Psoriasis

Answer

Wickham's striae; Oral Lichen Planus

Answer

Darier's sign; Mastocytosis

Question 6

A 70-year-old female patient, who has been receiving intravenous zoledronic acid for bone metastases from breast cancer for the past three years, requires extraction of a non-restorable mandibular molar. According to Australian guidelines and best practice, which of the following is the most significant oral complication this patient is at high risk of developing?

Accepted Answer

Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ)

Answer

Alveolar osteitis (dry socket)

Answer

Post-operative cellulitis

Answer

Excessive post-operative haemorrhage