Febrile Convulsions Dental — ORE Part 1 MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

EasyPaediatric DentistryFebrile Convulsions DentalORE Part 1

A 5-year-old child attends for a restoration. He had febrile convulsions in early childhood but has been seizure-free for 2 years and takes no antiseizure medication. He is well today. What is the most appropriate dental management?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: A — Provide routine dental treatment with normal behaviour management

Explanation lettering: C = shown as B · B = shown as C

A is correct. Febrile seizures are fever-associated events occurring principally between 6 months and 5 years of age. This child has a remote history, is well and seizure-free, and has no current epilepsy or antiseizure medication; routine dental care is therefore appropriate. Usual anxiety reduction and a clear medical history remain sensible, as for any child. General anaesthesia is not indicated solely for a previous febrile convulsion (B), and preventive antiseizure medication is not routinely used for febrile seizures (C). A past febrile convulsion is not a contraindication to local anaesthesia (D). Deferring necessary care (E) offers no benefit. If the child were febrile or acutely unwell on the day, elective treatment should instead be postponed because of the intercurrent illness.

Reference: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Fever in under 5s: assessment and initial management (NG143), recommendation 1.6.1, 2019 (last reviewed 2021). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng143/chapter/recommendations