Sickle Cell Disease — ORE Part 1 MCQ

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ModerateHuman Disease & Dental ManagementSickle Cell DiseaseORE Part 1

A patient with sickle cell disease (HbSS), who is well and not in vaso-occlusive crisis, requires routine dental treatment. Which is the most important management principle?

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Correct answer: D — Prevent hypoxia and dehydration, and minimise need for general anaesthesia

Explanation lettering: B = shown as A · E = shown as B · D = shown as C · A = shown as D · C = shown as E

A is correct. In HbSS, hypoxia and hypovolaemia/dehydration promote sickling and vaso-occlusion. Routine dental care should therefore minimise physiological stress, maintain hydration and oxygenation, and avoid general anaesthesia where feasible. If sedation or general anaesthesia is required, UK sickle-cell standards advise hospital dental management with haematology liaison rather than routine community provision. B is incorrect because local anaesthesia is not contraindicated. C is incorrect because sickle cell disease alone does not justify antibiotic prophylaxis for every invasive procedure; antibiotics are used when there is a clinical indication, such as infection. D is wrong because regular preventive and routine dental care is encouraged in stable patients. E is not the key disease-specific precaution and aspirin is not the preferred default postoperative analgesic strategy.

Reference: NHS, Sickle cell disease – Living with, “Surgery precautions if you have sickle cell disease”, accessed July 2026, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sickle-cell-disease/living-with/