Paedodontics I: Main Exam, 20 December 2018
Mount Kenya University · Department of Dental Sciences · BSCOH, BSCDT · BDS3113
Paedodontics I (BDS3113) Mount Kenya University 2018-2019 past paper with model answers.
Instructions: Answer ALL questions in section A and answer ANY TWO questions from
Section B ANSWER ANY TWO QUESTIONS
1. Discuss strategies that can be put in place towards prevention of oral diseases in children. (20 marks)
Model answer
- Early childhood caries prevention: fluoride varnish, sealants, dietary counselling.
- Oral hygiene education: brushing technique, flossing, use of fluoride toothpaste.
- School‑based programs: supervised brushing, health talks.
- Parental involvement: monitoring diet, supervising brushing.
- Regular dental check‑ups: early detection and management.
- Policy measures: sugar taxation, water fluoridation.
- Community outreach: mobile clinics, training of community health workers.
- Behavioural interventions: motivational interviewing, reward systems.
2. In details describe developmental anomalities of both dentitions outlining the management of these anomalities. (20 marks)
Model answer
- Hypodontia: missing teeth; management – space maintenance, orthodontic treatment, prosthetic replacement.
- Macroglossia: enlarged tongue; management – speech therapy, myofunctional therapy, surgical reduction if severe.
- Microdontia: small teeth; management – restorative composite build‑up, orthodontic expansion.
- Dens evaginatus: extra cusp; management – preventive sealants, selective grinding, endodontic treatment if pulpal involvement.
- Enamel hypoplasia: defective enamel; management – fluoride varnish, resin restoration, protective sealants.
- Cleft lip/palate: congenital absence of alveolar ridge; management – multidisciplinary surgical repair, orthodontics, prosthetics.
3. Discuss the cause of dental pain in children and methods that can be used to control the pain. (20 marks)
Model answer
- Causes of dental pain: untreated caries, pulpal inflammation, cracked tooth, periodontal abscess, trauma.
- Pain control methods:
- Analgesics: paracetamol, ibuprofen (age‑appropriate dosing).
- Local anaesthesia: topical lidocaine, infiltration for procedures.
- Antimicrobial mouth rinses: chlorhexidine for infection control.
- Temporary restorations: glass ionomer cement to seal carious lesions.
- Referral to paediatric dentist for definitive treatment.
- Non‑pharmacological: cold compress, distraction techniques.