MJDF Part 1 - Membership of Joint Dental Faculties Oral Medicine and Pathology Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 65-year-old male, who is a heavy smoker, presents with a painless, speckled red and white patch (erythroleukoplakia) on the floor of his mouth, which he first noticed 4 weeks ago.
According to NICE guideline [NG12] 'Suspected cancer: recognition and referral', what is the most appropriate immediate action?

Accepted Answer

Refer the patient via a 'two-week wait' suspected cancer pathway.

Answer

Review the patient in 2 weeks after providing smoking cessation advice.

Answer

Prescribe a topical corticosteroid and review in 4 weeks.

Answer

Perform an incisional biopsy in the primary care setting.

Question 2

Which of the following clinical presentations is most characteristic of the reticular form of oral lichen planus?

Accepted Answer

Bilateral, asymptomatic, white, lace-like striae on the buccal mucosa.

Answer

Multiple, painful, well-defined ulcers on non-keratinised mucosa.

Answer

A single, large, non-healing ulcer with indurated, rolled edges.

Answer

Widespread, erythematous, and desquamating attached gingivae.

Question 3

A 55-year-old female patient complains of a persistently dry mouth and gritty-feeling eyes for the past year. Which of the following investigation findings would most strongly support a diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Presence of anti-Ro (SSA) and/or anti-La (SSB) autoantibodies in serum.

Answer

An elevated Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR).

Answer

A positive test for Rheumatoid Factor.

Answer

An unstimulated whole salivary flow rate of <0.2 mL/min.

Question 4

A 68-year-old patient describes a sudden onset of severe, unilateral, shooting pain on the right side of her chin and lower lip. The pain lasts for only a few seconds per episode but occurs multiple times a day. It is triggered by light touch, such as washing her face or a cool breeze. A thorough dental examination and radiographs reveal no abnormalities. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Trigeminal neuralgia

Answer

Atypical odontalgia

Answer

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD)

Answer

Burning mouth syndrome

Question 5

A routine panoramic radiograph of an asymptomatic 19-year-old reveals a well-defined, unilocular radiolucency surrounding the crown of the impacted mandibular left third molar (LL8). The radiolucency appears to be attached at the cemento-enamel junction of the tooth. Which of the following is the most probable diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Dentigerous cyst

Answer

Radicular cyst

Answer

Ameloblastoma

Answer

Odontogenic keratocyst

Question 6

An 80-year-old patient who wears a complete upper denture presents with soreness and redness of the palate. Clinical examination reveals diffuse erythema of the mucosa that is directly covered by the denture. This condition, known as denture-related stomatitis, is most commonly caused by an overgrowth of which microorganism?

Accepted Answer

Candida albicans

Answer

Staphylococcus aureus

Answer

Streptococcus mutans

Answer

Herpes simplex virus