Allergy Management in Dentistry — ORE Part 1 MCQ

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ModerateHuman Disease & Dental ManagementAllergy Management in DentistryORE Part 1

A patient reports an immediate allergy to kiwi fruit. Which dental material should be used with caution because of potential cross-reactivity?

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Correct answer: E — Natural rubber latex rubber dam

**A. Natural rubber latex rubber dam** is correct. Kiwi is one of the foods associated with latex–food syndrome: allergenic proteins in kiwi may cross-react with natural rubber latex. In dentistry, this makes latex-containing items, including a natural rubber latex dam, an important potential exposure; use a documented non-latex alternative where appropriate. SDCEP confirms that natural rubber latex can affect dental patients through contact with latex products. Glass ionomer cement, composite resin, zinc oxide-eugenol and stainless steel matrix bands can each cause other material-specific adverse reactions in susceptible individuals, but they are not implicated in kiwi–latex cross-reactivity. The original reference to peanut allergy was not retained because peanut allergy does not provide the same established basis for selecting latex.

Reference: SDCEP Practice Support Manual, “Latex allergies in dental practice”, current UK guidance: https://www.psm.sdcep.org.uk/topics/health-and-safety-general/latex-allergies/latex-allergies-in-dental-practice/ ; Great Ormond Street Hospital, “Latex allergy”, section on foods with proteins similar to latex, accessed July 2026: https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/conditions-and-treatments/conditions-we-treat/latex-allergy/