Latex Allergy Rubber Dam — ORE Part 1 MCQ

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

EasyHuman Disease & Dental ManagementLatex Allergy Rubber DamORE Part 1

A dentist places a rubber dam and begins root canal treatment. The patient develops difficulty breathing and generalised urticaria within 5 minutes of rubber dam placement. The most likely cause is allergy to which material?

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

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: A — Natural rubber latex (from the rubber dam)

Explanation lettering: E = shown as D · D = shown as E

The correct answer is A. Natural rubber latex allergy presents as a Type I hypersensitivity reaction, typically manifesting within seconds to minutes of exposure to latex-containing products. The temporal relationship (immediate onset at dam placement) and clinical presentation (generalised urticaria with respiratory compromise) are pathognomonic. Sodium hypochlorite (B) is not introduced until after dam placement and isolation is complete; local anaesthetic (D) is given before dam placement; endodontic files (C) and composite (E) are not in contact during dam placement. The FGDP(UK) has published guidance for management of natural rubber latex allergy in dental patients, recognising it as a significant clinical problem with potentially life-threatening complications.

Reference: Faculty of General Dental Practitioners (UK). Guidance for the Management of Natural Rubber Latex Allergy in Dental Patients and Dental Healthcare Workers. London: FGDP(UK); 2004. https://publishing.rcseng.ac.uk/doi/full/10.1308/rcsann.2013.95.6.437a