Breastfeeding Dental Safety — ORE Part 1 MCQ
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Correct answer: D — Continue breastfeeding; use lidocaine with adrenaline and, if required, paracetamol or ibuprofen.
Explanation lettering: E = shown as A · A = shown as D · D = shown as E
A is correct. NHS guidance states that dental treatment and local anaesthetics are compatible with breastfeeding. Paracetamol may be used, and ibuprofen is the preferred NSAID where an NSAID is indicated. The lidocaine-with-adrenaline SmPC states that lidocaine enters breast milk in only very small amounts, generally without risk to the infant; adrenaline is unlikely to affect a breast-fed child. Therefore, routine dental local anaesthesia does not require interruption of breastfeeding. B and C incorrectly treat breastfeeding as a reason to defer care or avoid local anaesthetic. D is wrong because ibuprofen is not contraindicated. E reflects outdated “pump and dump” advice and is unnecessary after routine local anaesthesia.
Reference: NHS, Breastfeeding and medicines, updated May 2026: https://www.nhs.uk/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding-and-lifestyle/medicines/