Non-Specific Plaque Hypothesis — MFDS Part 1 MCQ
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Correct answer: D — Disease reflects the cumulative harmful activity of the total plaque community, with pathogenic potential increasing as plaque accumulates
Explanation lettering: B = shown as A · D = shown as B · A = shown as D
The non-specific plaque hypothesis proposes that disease results from the collective harmful activity of the plaque microflora, with increasing plaque biomass producing a greater pathogenic challenge; no single designated pathogen is required. Therefore, A is correct. B describes the specific plaque hypothesis. C describes the ecological plaque hypothesis, in which environmental changes select for disease-associated organisms. D incorrectly excludes the necessary microbial contribution, although host susceptibility modifies disease expression. E is also incorrect because the non-specific hypothesis links pathogenicity to the quantity and accumulated activity of plaque rather than treating every amount of plaque as equally harmful.
Reference: Rosier BT, De Jager M, Zaura E, Krom BP. Historical and contemporary hypotheses on the development of oral diseases: are we there yet? Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. 2014. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25077073/